Volkswagen gives Polo mid-cycle makeover

Volkswagen has given its award-winning Mk5 Polo a refresh and you’ll do well to spot the differences, as is often the case with these mid-cycle updates.

If you look closely you’ll see the lower spoiler has been updated and likewise with the lower valance. There’s a bunch of new paint colours as well to help you spot the difference. Similarly, the interior of the Polo has been revamped to ensure trainspotters have something new to look at.

Mostly the changes are beneath the skin with the full engine range also being given the once over by Volkswagen’s engineers. All engines in the Polo now meet EU6 emissions standards and have stop/start fuel saving technology.

Other new tech added to the Polo range includes optional LED headlights, a battery regeneration mode, City Emergency Braking, Automatic Distance Control, Driver Alert and more. The infotainment system has also been updated and includes Bluetooth audio among other features.

Perhaps the biggest change of note is to the Polo GTI, which we’ll go into a bit later. For now there’s more pics and details from Volkswagen after the break.

World premiere for new Polo

• New EU-6 engines up to 21 per cent more fuel efficient
  
• New next-level infotainment and assistance systems; first Polo with LED headlights

Wolfsburg, 28 January 2014 – With nearly 14 million units already produced, the Polo from Volkswagen is a motorists’ favourite all over the world. Today in Wolfsburg, with the world première of the new, greatly enhanced Polo, the latest generation of this successful compact car arrives. Key features include: new engines, new mechanics and a new look.

The new Polo boasts unique technologies designed to make the car safer and more relaxing to drive: the Polo will, for instance, be one of the first cars of its class to offer striking LED headlights as an optional extra (as of this autumn). Electromechanical power steering improves handling, while the Automatic Post-Collision Braking fitted as standard instantly initiates vehicle deceleration after any impact. In addition, features such as Driver Alert, the Front Assist surroundings monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and the Automatic Distance Control (ACC) reflect state-of-the-art technology.

The radio and radio/navigation systems have also been overhauled for the Polo: with their software and hardware they now follow the infotainment world of the Golf. Depending on version, the system offers functions such as Bluetooth audio streaming, proximity sensors for the touchscreen monitor, map zooming in navigation mode and mobile phone integration with the vehicle’s external antenna via an inductive interface.

Volkswagen has also completely refreshed the range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines for the Polo. All engines, for instance, fulfil every aspect of the EU 6 emissions standard; in addition, all are available with Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode.

Visually the new Polo can be recognised by a sharper front and rear-end design. Fresh colours, new interior fabrics and numerous other trim details provide the perfect finishing touches to the car. This latest generation Polo will appear on the market during the course of the spring. The initial launch will be in Germany – where, incidentally, despite specification upgrade and new engineering, the entry-level price will be the same as for the current Polo. As for the début of the up! and the Beetle, Volkswagen is similarly bringing out an exclusive model for the car’s European launch: the Polo ‘Fresh’. This premium special model will be available in five colours, with exclusive features and an interior in a two-colour design.

Download

• The Polo – A new generation (70kb PDF)