Volkswagen throws a Polo-palooza with four new or upgraded models

Wed, 05 Mar 2014

Volkswagen unveiled a parade of new and upgraded Polo models at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, including the Polo TSI BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo BlueGT and CrossPolo (pictured above). While they will likely never make an appearance this side of the pond, it is fun to see what European subcompact drivers will be driving later this year.

The new BlueMotion models represent the most efficient petrol and diesel options in their class, according to VW. The BlueMotion TDI offers just 73 horsepower from its diesel engine but gives the equivalent of 76 miles per gallon (US) in the EU test. The BlueMotion TSI brings a little more power with its 88-hp petrol engine and has a combined rating of 57 mpg (US) in the EU cycle.

The Polo BlueGT provides a balance of performance and economy, and for the 2014 model, it gains a 9-horsepower boost to its 1.4-liter turbocharged to give drivers 147 hp at the press of the accelerator. This year's car also has an optional Sport Select suspension with electronically controlled dampers to improve handling a bit. It's still fitted with active cylinder management to use as little gas as possible when cruising.

Finally, the 2014 CrossPolo is receiving some very mild updates with new colors, interior fabrics, wheels and smoked taillights.

All four models now come standard with an electrically power-assisted steering system and VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically brakes after a collision. New options for the subcompacts include adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, which slows the car automatically if it detects an impending crash. Sadly, unless you are abroad, you might never get to drive these little Veedubs, but you're still welcome to read more about them in the press release below.

Four new Polo cars
World premieres of the Polo TSI BlueMotion,
Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo BlueGT and CrossPolo

The new Polo – a parade of premieres at Geneva:
Polo BlueMotion, Polo Blue GT and CrossPolo in top form
New efficiency TSI: For the first time, Polo BlueMotion with petrol engine (4.1 l/100 km)
Even more charisma: Polo BlueGT now with 150 PS, CrossPolo perfected

Ten key facts on the world premiere of the new Polo TSI BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo BlueGT and CrossPolo:
1. The world's most fuel-efficient five-seater with a petrol engine: the new Polo TSI BlueMotion consumes just 4.1 l/100 km.
2. The world's most fuel-efficient five-seater with a diesel engine: The new Polo TDI BlueMotion consumes just 3.1 l/100 km

3. Polo TDI BlueMotion delivers 1,400 kilometres of driving range!
4. Polo BlueGT with cylinder management has a 10 PS higher power output (110 kW / 150 PS).
5. CrossPolo offers new colours, features and interior fabrics.
6. New electro-mechanical power steering increases performance and comfort perceptibly.
7. Marks the debut of the Sport Select chassis with electronically switchable silencers (not in Polo BlueMotion or CrossPolo).
8. Polo introduces high-tech into its class with Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard and optional Front Assist with City Emergency Braking.
9. Entirely new touchscreen infotainment systems; first Volkswagen with MirrorLink.
10. Polo Comfortline and Polo Highline allow for sporty customisation of the new R-Line program me.

Wolfsburg/Geneva, March 2014. Volkswagen presented the latest iteration of the Polo in January. The new EU-6 engines as well as the new infotainment and assistance systems of the best-seller, in partic-ular, have now taken huge strides forward in terms of technology. Background:
The fuel consumption values were lowered by up to 21 per cent; the infotainment and assistance systems introduce the tech-nology usually preserved for cars much larger than those of the Polo segment. Just one month after the debut of the classic "Trendline," "Comfortline" and "Highline" Polo equipment versions, now come – as world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show – the Polo TSI BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo BlueGT and CrossPolo models. Moreover, Volkswagen is presenting the new R-Line exteri-or and interior packages for the Polo. The models at a glance:

Polo BlueMotion. Up to now, the Polo BlueMotion – one of the most efficient five-seat passenger cars in the world – was only avail-able as a turbodiesel. Later this year, this trendsetter in terms of fuel-efficiency will also launch as a Polo TSI BlueMotion (66 kW / 90 PS) with a turbocharged petrol engine; this is the first time that Volkswagen has used this new three-cylinder engine. With a com-bined fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km, the Polo TSI BlueMotion sets a new benchmark for petrol cars in its class. The Polo TDI BlueMotion sets a record in the market for five-seat diesel cars: The three-cylinder engine (55 kW / 75 PS) consumes only 3.1 l/100 km.

Polo BlueGT. Thanks to the cylinder shut-off (ACT or active cylinder management) used exclusively for this engine, it offers maximum dynamic performance together with maximum fuel efficiency. And this performance has been boosted as well, since the new version of the Polo BlueGT now develops a maximum output of 110 kW / 150 PS instead of the previous 103 kW / 140 PS.

CrossPolo. This version addresses all those customers who appreci-ate an individual off-road appearance while maintaining consistent on-road qualities. The CrossPolo always has four doors. New col-ours, new seat materials, a new type of wheel and new smoked rear lights characterise the new 2014 model.

Polo R-Line packages. The R-Line programme delivers more dyna-mism. It is available in the Polo Comfortline and Polo Highline equipment versions. The R-Line features that are available as exteri-or and interior packages – for example bumpers, sports seats and steering wheels – were tuned for the latest Polo.

New levels of fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety. As indicated above, all new Polo cars – including the Polo TSI BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo BlueGT and CrossPolo models – offer a range of driving, convenience and safety technologies which is unique in this class: A new electro-mechanical servo steering system improves steering properties. Volkswagen will be at the starting line with the newly developed Sport Select suspension, which uses electronically controlled dampers so that drivers can choose between two tuning characteristics at the push of a button (not available on the Polo BlueMotion or CrossPolo). In tandem with this, assistance systems have been introduced into the Polo programme such as the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System (automatically initiates braking after a collision) and the optional Driver Alert System, Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Brak-ing and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The view towards the rear can now be sharpened by the optional Rear Assist rear view camera as well. Also new are the controls for the climate control system.

Progressive infotainment world. The infotainment line-up was also reconfigured. It consists of three radio/CD systems ("Composition Touch," "Composition Colour," "Composition Media") and a ra-dio/CD navigation system ("Discover Media"). Depending on the version, the devices offer functions such as Bluetooth audio stream-ing (with a smart phone, including cover display and touchscreen control), a proximity sensor (other menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen), two-finger map zooming in navigation mode (like on a smart phone) and interfacing of the mobile phone to the vehicle's exterior antenna by inductive coupling. All systems can be equipped with digital radio reception (DAB+). In addition, special smart phone apps can be accessed on the touchscreen via Mir-rorLink™.

By Chris Bruce