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FIRST DRIVE: VW’s Polo smartens up

DULLSTROOM, Mpumalanga - Volkswagen's new Polo has arrived in South Africa, each with a 1.2-litre engine - with a nose that might be subtle at first glance but park it next to the outgoing model and its new "face" becomes much more distinguishable.

The “smiling” front is akin to a mischievous grin with new headlights, including LED's as an option available from September 2014 – and a redesigned rear. In addition to its sharper design, there are new colours, one of them a vibrant ‘Cornflower Blue’ - and a fresh interior with new materials.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2014 VW Polo

It comes in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. For those who want something more rugged(ish), the CrossPolo will join the line-up shortly, and TDI and GTI versions will arrive in the first quarter of 2015.

So what else is new besides the visual enhancements? Well, quite a lot (Read Gordon's full review here) and the new Polo’s cost-of-ownership will, the automaker says,be significantly less than the outgoing model since the new TSI engines are 20% more fuel-efficient and service plans are now included in the price.

There are new engines and gearboxes - including new TSI engines with a five- or six-speed manual or DSG gearbox - and driving assistance and infotainment goodies. VW says it’s the first car in its segment to have an auto post-collision braking system as standard.

THE ENGINES

TSI engines replace the current MPI units though initially only the four-cylinder 1.2 TSI will be available and tuned for either 66kW or 81kW. The two 1.2 TSI engines replace the 1.4 (63kW) and 1.6 (77kW) MPI units.

The turbocharged entry derivative will give 66kW at 4800rpm and 160Nm from 1400-3500rpm and drive through a five-speed manual gearbox. It has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100km and 117g/km CO2 emissions. Top speed is given as 184km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration as 10.8sec.

It will be available in Trendline and Comfortline specs.

The next 1.2 unit (Highline and CrossPolo) makes 81kW from 5000rpm and 175Nm from 1500-4000rpm and comes with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission and is capable of 5.1 litres/100km and 120g/km CO2 emissions. Top speed 196km/h, 100km/h comes up 9.3sec.

All units will be sold with a three-year or 45 000km service plan, three-year or 120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-rust through warranty. Service intervals15 000km.

For more on the new VW Polo take a look at the VW SA website.

PRICES
1.2 TSI 66kW Trendline - R188 300
1.2 TSI 66kW Comfortline - R209 700
1.2 TSI 81kW Highline - R233 300
1.2 TSI 81kW Highline - DSG R247 800
1.2 TSI 81kW CrossPolo - R241 000
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