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Preview: 2011 Volkswagen Polo

 
39,522 views Aug 26, 2009
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2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

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Back in March, VW confirmed it would sell the Polo in the US in 2011. The five-door hatchback model was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, and now Volkswagen has released details of the three-door hatch as well.

US details to come


It's like that VW will also offer a four-door sedan Polo model for the US market, just as its Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks are supplemented by the Jetta four-door sedan. Which, it's worth pointing out, consistently outsells the Golf models.

How much the US-bound Polo will be altered from its German counterparts is open to question. Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, previously told industry trade journal Automotive News that US Polos would be larger and higher, with a longer wheelbase.

But a VW of America spokesperson subsequently back-pedaled, saying any US-spec Polo would be "similar in size" to the European version.

PREVIEW (on TheCarConnection.com):  2011 Volkswagen Polo

We're betting against any major changes to the car's design. What will change, though, is where it's built. To get the US Polos down to a price of $14,000 or so,  they'll have to be assembled in the Mexican plant that now builds all US-bound Jettas, rather than in higher-cost Germany.

Seven engines for Europe

In Europe, the Polo offers three gasoline and three diesel engines from 1.2 to 1.4 liters. The US model will likely only offer one or perhaps two gasoline engines.

A diesel Polo for the States could build on the company's legacy of Jetta TDI and Golf TDI models, especially given the likely success of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, rated at 40 mpg on the highway and costs $22,000.

In Europe, there will be a seventh engine too, a 1.2-liter turbodiesel that's part of the company's most fuel-efficient BlueMotion line. On the European test cycle, that model achieves gas mileage of 71 miles per gallon (3.3 liters per 100 kilometers).

While US gas misers and hypermilers might like the BlueMotion model, it's unlikely to be sold here. First, no diesel that small has been offered in the US market in decades. Second, the 74-horsepower engine is unlikely to accelerate quickly enough for US traffic.

Small but safe

The new Polo promises to be remarkably safe for a subcompact car. Its body structure is rigid and highly optimized, and its electronic safety features include electronic stability control, front-seat head restraints that reduce whiplash, and a "highly effective" combination of seat belts and airbags. (Well, that's a relief.)

In new, tougher European crash tests, it achieved an overall five-star score, leading Volkswagen to call it "the safest ... car in the world" in its size class. It was technically tied with the 2010 Honda Insight, though it scored slightly higher in the Child protection category.

Size, of course, is relative. Models historically grow larger and heavier with each redesign, and the 2011 Volkswagen Polo is about the same size as the first Volkswagen Rabbit, sold from 1975 to 1984--although far heavier, given its better equipment and greater safety.

Global growth, Chattanooga included

Globally, Volkswagen has been on a tear lately. The company is the highest-selling automaker in Europe, it assembles cars in China and South America, and it's not inconceivable that it could rival both Toyota and General Motors in global sales within a few years.

In 2011, VW is scheduled to open a $1 billion assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, its first in the US since the Pennsylvania factory that built the first Rabbit (Golf) model from 1978 to 1984. The new plant will build a new midsize sedan tailored for US buyers.

That sedan, not yet introduced, will attempt to compete with the high-volume Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Chevrolet Malibu. It is part of Volkswagen's new tactic of designing or modifying its cars for the specific needs of the US market.

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

Enlarge Photo

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

Enlarge Photo

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

Enlarge Photo

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

2011 Volkswagen Polo Three-door

Enlarge Photo

VW's Stefan Jacoby says fossil fuel cars, like this Polo BlueMotion, are the real near-future solution

VW's Stefan Jacoby says fossil fuel cars, like this Polo BlueMotion, are the real near-future solution

Enlarge Photo

Two new engine ranges - forced-induction petrol engine and turbodiesel - join the Polo line for the new model year

Two new engine ranges - forced-induction petrol engine and turbodiesel - join the Polo line for the new model year

Enlarge Photo

2010 volkswagen polo live 001

2010 volkswagen polo live 001

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[TheCarConnection; Freep.com; Volkswagen]

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Comments (13)

  1. John Rees Posted: 8/27/2009 8:08am PDT

    VW and Jacoby should review their customer service first. View my VW experience at: http://www.reesphotos.com/VW/
     
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  2. bengt avatar Bengt Halvorson Posted: 8/27/2009 9:38am PDT

    "...the 74-horsepower engine is unlikely to accelerate quickly enough for US traffic."
    That's all relative, really. I don't think the Polo BlueMotion is too slow for the U.S. market (0-60 time of about 12 seconds flat). It's nearly two seconds slower to 60 than most current econoboxes, but it wasn't too long ago that this was the bulk of the market. And it's actually faster than the Smart Fortwo. The Smart, and all the air-cooled Beetles that are still driven here on the West Coast, do just fine. Did I mention I once owned a Festiva? Anyway, I don't think performance-enthusiast lashings should keep VW from bringing a good green-car.
     
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  3. john_v avatar John Voelcker Posted: 8/27/2009 10:28am PDT

    @Bengt: I agree with you, and remember I drove a 38-hp Morris Minor all through college (when I wasn't driving the '64 GTO, anyway).
    But VW is on record as wanting to be "more relevant to Americans" so I think they'll head for the center of the market. Diesel Polo, maybe, but I bet it's the biggest (1.4 liter) diesel they fit, not the uber-fuel-economy one.
    Unless they make a serious effort to take the mileage crown, and I'm skeptical that's where their strength is ... we shall see.
     
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  4. J Baustian Posted: 8/28/2009 12:32am PDT

    Either 1.2 or 1.4 liters, either way the Polo will be a great commuter vehicle with terrific fuel mileage. And it looks great, too.
     
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  5. Mr L. Posted: 10/15/2009 9:25am PDT

    I'm frustrated at the golf continuously growing larger over the years. If I wanted a passat, I would have bought one. The polo finally gets the size to where it needs to be and if they offer the 1.4 diesel turbo, I WILL buy one.
     
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  6. Jim-Bob Posted: 11/25/2009 1:06pm PST

    I am happy to see another very nice choice in this price segment. However, I fail to understand why VW would NOT bring the Bluemotion to this market. It will not appeal to everyone, but it would sell well enough if priced right. The problem with the current Diesel VW offerings is that they charge you nearly $5,000 over the price of a gasser. You are not likely to recoup the extra cost in fuel savings versus the base gas engine. If the diesel is substantially better on fuel economy than the gas version while being close in price, I think the diesel will sell well. However, it does need to make economic sense to a majority of people before it will ever catch on. The majority of people are not willing to pay a substantial amount of extra money for fuel efficiency. otherwise, SUV's would never have gained the popularity they did.
     
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  7. RAS Posted: 12/9/2009 5:28pm PST

    North American engine line up should be 1.2fsi with 102hp for base engine 1.4fsi with 122hp for upper end models. 1.6tdi with 105hp available for all models. GTI/GLI 178hp 1.4 twincharger. If prices can be kept between 14k and 19.5k they have a winner.
     
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  8. Jay Posted: 3/1/2010 6:45pm PST

    My wife bought a Jetta Sportswagen TDI last year and are getting 42 - 50 mpg and loving it. I love the way the Jetta drives, especially in comparison to the 2006 Prius I drive for business. The Prius delivers on the great mileage (50 - 54 mpg) and is very easy to drive, but it in no way handles like the Jetta. The Prius comes off lease the end of this year and I'm hope VW get's of their tails and has the Polo ready for the US market. As for the size, yea, I wish they would leave it the same size as in Europe so we can take advantage of a light car and great gas mileage. This is your chance to get in the high mileage game with a great car at a competitive price (below $20K); don't blow this opportunity VW!
     
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  9. Jerry Posted: 3/27/2010 8:55pm PDT

    Great styling, inside and out. But if they're not bring over the Bluemotion, then what's the point? The Rabbit isn't much larger, and it offers decent MPG. I drive an '89 Geo Metro XFi most of the time because of it's frugality. The 1.0L 3-cyl provides only adequate performance. I suspect this Bluemotion Polo is twice as quick as my XFi - not too slow. I sure would enjoy the performance and modernity of an equally frugal car from THIS century.
     
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  10. Ben Pilipovic Posted: 7/14/2010 7:59pm PDT

    Hi Guys,
    I dont know what is wrong with VW Management?What they are waiting for?Christmas or something else?
    Competitors like Toyota,Chevy Aveo,Suzuki and so one a re taking a big chank of USA Market with big sucess but none of them cant come even a close to POLO.Maybe one day sooner or later VW management will awake up and bring POLO to our market.Especialy Diesel version which mentioned competitors are very very far away.
    Tks your time riding my opinion.
    Ben
     
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  11. Thrifty Car Sales Posted: 8/12/2010 10:57pm PDT

    The Polo has been sold in South Africa under various earlier incarnations for many years, and is a very popular vehicle. They are awesome cars, and are reliable and frugal. The bigger engined models offer serious performance too, and there are loads of pimped out Polo's cruising the nightspots on any given weekend, as they are very fashionable. I think it will be a phenomenal success in the US market.
     
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  12. jc Posted: 12/23/2010 6:57am PST

    I've been waiting and waiting for a car that gets 70 MPG! There's always some reason they hold back on the U.S. market and we end up with hybrids that will need the batteries replaced eventually. Here's a chance for the U.S. to go green, save money and buy a more affordable fuel efficient car that gets better gas mileage and doesn't raise the electric bill. I'll be the first in line to buy one when it gets here.
     
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  13. Bonnie Posted: 2/12/2011 12:52pm PST

    I want a BlueMotion Polo! Has anyone in the U.S. actually seen a Polo at a dealership? I have called 3 here in Florida and they all say the Polo will not be released to the U.S. market only Canada (despite the VW announcement staying the contrary)..uggh.
     
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