The feisty little Volkswagen Polo GTI has gone back-to-back and defended its Bang For Your Bucks award, as judged by Motor Magazine.
The Pogo had to beat 17 other competitors to win the award and Motor claims the 132kW high-demand hot hatch has the essentials required to deserve its praise: “What the Polo GTI aces without question are the fundamentals of not just every great hot hatch but every great car.â€
Good news for the Volkswagen Polo GTI after its reputation was boosted with the Motor Magazine ‘Bang For Your Bucks’ title.
In a nice coup for the baby GTI, Motor compared the Pogo’s 2011 results against the scores from the previous five years and found the Polo GTI would have won the gong for six years in a row.
The Polo GTI’s success lies in its $27,900 list price (3 door model) where it is able to make the most of its relatively modest 132kW power against more fancied and more expensive rivals in the Motor comparison.
Volkswagen’s latest Polo has added to its European Car of the Year gong by adding the title of World Car of the Year for 2010. This means the Polo has followed the same path as its larger sibling, the Golf, which won the WCOTY in 2009.
Using the criteria of merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal the Polo topped a field of 30 cars after it was shortlisted to the final three, along with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Toyota Prius.
The 59-member jury for the WCOTY praised the Polo, saying, “Holding its own in the most competitive market segment, the all-new Polo MkV is one of VW’s star performers. Boasting best-in-segment packaging and handling, this supermini’s blend of classy looks, reliability and quality has meant it’s consistently been one the market’s best-sellers.
“It’s also safe; generating a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Behind the wheel, the Polo demonstrates mature manners and boasts a superb driving position that’s adjustable and, in common with the latest Golf, all the controls are well weighted and precise. The Polo is just one brilliant supermini.”
High praise indeed. Praise that Volkswagen Chairman Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn was happy to accept, “We’re honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors as the 2010 World Car of The Year. After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history.”
Australian customers will be able to get their hands on the all new Polo early next month after its local launch. In other good news for Polo fans AUSmotive has learned that the new Polo GTI should be available with a 6-speed manual transmission, in addition to a 7-speed DSG.
Earlier this year the Audi Q5 was revealed to the motoring world in China. Released prior to the Games, Audi was keen to get plenty of images in front of the soon to be iconic Olympic venues. Now, following that debut, the Q5 has won the “Golden Steering Wheel” award in the SUV class. A nice gig for Audi to be collecting awards for the Q5 even before its market release.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, was in Berlin to collect the gong. “This is a tremendous success for both the new Q5 and the Audi brand. To me, it is also an acknowledgment of the great performance of our highly motivated and committed team,” said Stadler during the awards ceremony. “Our Golden Steering Wheel also proves to me that this car is apparently not only close to my heart; it also convinced the jury.”
Audi have won more “Golden Steering Wheel” awards than any other manufacturer after picking up their first in 1975.
Also of interest, the Q5 dealer reveal took place in Spain last week, with around 14 dealers from Australia making the trip.
Perhaps the most successful step for the Q5 is proving to the world that a small-mid size SUV can actually look half decent. The Q5 is definitely a more cohesive design execution than BMW’s awkward X3, and the Audi also looks neater than it’s Tiguan stablemate form Volkswagen.