VW Polo is one of the legendary centenarians on the automotive Olympus. The model has been leading its pedigree since 1976, and this is a long time. Finest hour struck for the Volkswagen Polo in 2010 - the car brand was recognized as the best in the world, the car was also awarded the honorary title of the best on the European continent. What is its history?
Volkswagen Polo I-III generations (1975–2001)
The first cars of this brand left the assembly line in 1975, in the German city of Wolfsburg. At first, a cheap sedan with a liter engine that developed 40 horsepower won the sympathy of motorists. A year later, a luxury modification was released, with a more powerful 1.1 liter, 50 and 60 hp engine. With. It was followed by a two-door sedan, which was called by another name - Derby. In terms of technical equipment, the car is similar to the Polo, only the rear suspension has been strengthened. At the same time, the set of engines was replenished with one more - 1.3 l, 60 horsepower. The cars were so popular that between 1977 and 1981 they were sold by more than half a million motorists.
In the fall of 1981, the new VW Polo II began to be sold. The body of the car was updated, the technical equipment was improved. A 1.3-liter engine with central fuel injection was added to the range of power units, capable of developing power up to 55 hp. With. In 1982, a sports version of the Polo GT was offered to customers, which had a 1.3-liter power unit that developed up to 75 horsepower. The cars were equipped with mechanical gearboxes (MT) with 4 or 5 gears. The front brakes were disc, rear - drum. In the process of development, more and more new versions of diesel and gasoline engines appeared. Sports versions - GT, were equipped with a new 1.3 liter engine equipped with a scroll compressor. This made it possible to raise its power to 115 hp. With. In 1990, modifications of the Polo and Polo Coupe were restyled, and in 1994 the production of the second generation Volkswagen Polo was discontinued.
In 1994, motorists were delighted with the new design of the 3rd generation Polo, which still does not look outdated today. The body has increased in size, the interior has become more comfortable. At the same time, the price of the car went up. Cars were still assembled in Germany and Spain. In the design, everything was updated: the body, suspension and powertrains. At the same time, the type of suspension remained the same - MacPherson strut in front, torsion beam in the back. The steering was already equipped with a hydraulic booster, an ABS system was optionally available. A year after the hatchback, a sedan appeared, on which a 1.9 liter diesel was installed. with direct injection, 90 horsepower. The set of engines also included gasoline, 1.6 liters, which developed 75 horsepower.
Since 1997, the third generation has been replenished with a station wagon called the Polo Variant. If you fold the rear seats, the volume of its trunk increased from 390 to 1240 liters. Traditionally, the release of the GTI sports series, so popular with young people, continued. In the second half of 1999, all modifications of the Polo III were restyled, and at the turn of the century, the Volkswagen Polo celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Volkswagen Polo IV (2001–2009)
In the second half of 2001, Polo 4 generations began to roll off the assembly line. The car body has been radically modernized. The focus was on improving the level of security. For this purpose, high-strength steel was selectively used to increase the rigidity of the body. Its panels were still coated with zinc. Despite the fact that the Polo is smaller than the Golf, its interior is roomy and comfortable. Cars were produced with three body styles: a 3- and 5-door hatchback, as well as a 4-door sedan.
In one of the trim levels, a 4-speed automatic transmission (automatic transmission) of the classic type appeared. It was installed in tandem with a 75-horsepower gasoline engine, 1.4 liters. The rest were equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The line of diesel and gasoline power units has traditionally assumed a large selection - from 55 to 100 horsepower. The kit included another turbocharged gasoline engine, 1.8 liters, 150 hp. With. All engines met the Euro 4 environmental standard.
ABS has ceased to be an option and has become a mandatory equipment. An auxiliary emergency braking system has also been added. On most modifications, with engines more powerful than 75 horsepower, ventilated disc brakes are installed on all wheels. Polo experienced another restyling in the first half of 2005. The event was timed to the 30th anniversary of the model. The headlights and taillights have been updated, the radiator has changed its shape. The length of the body has become longer, the rest of the dimensions have not changed. The salon has changed a little - better materials have been used in the decoration. The dashboard has taken on a new look, the steering wheel has also been slightly modernized.
Volkswagen Polo V (2009–2017)
The new VW Polo rolled off the Spanish assembly line in the first half of 2009. The body design has traditionally become more modern. Its dimensions, in length and width, have increased, but the height of the car has decreased. In a number of modifications, a new one has appeared - this is the CrossPolo, with a hatchback body that claims to have increased cross-country ability. The range of engines is traditionally wide. It has atmospheric and turbocharged gasoline engines, as well as turbodiesels. In total, motorists are offered 13 power units of various modifications. Volumes - from 1 to 1.6 liters. Developed capacities - from 60 to 220 horses.
The Kaluga plant produced cars with three gasoline units: 1.2 l (from 60 to 70 hp), 1.4 l (85 hp), turbocharged 1.2 l TSI (105 horses). The cars were equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions or 7-speed automatic preselective transmissions with two dry clutches - DSG. Over the years of sales of the 5th generation, its production has been established in India and South Africa, as well as in Brazil and China.
2014 was marked by a restyling of the lineup. Such improvements were made to the steering - instead of a hydraulic booster, an electric power steering was used. The bi-xenon headlights and radiator take on a different shape. Cars began to be equipped with advanced multimedia systems. If we take the general feeling, there were no revolutionary changes. Ground clearance has decreased from 170 to 163 mm. In this direction, production in Europe continued until mid-2017. Then enterprises in Spain and Germany began preparations for the release of the 6th generation of the Volkswagen Polo.
Photo gallery: VW Polo V interior
The engine temperature gauge must be looked for in the Polo V on-board computer menu To the left of the steering column VW Polo V - controls and headlight settings The front seats of the Volkswagen Polo are equipped with 3-point seat belts Tall people feel comfortable in the rear seats of the Polo V
Volkswagen Polo VI (2017–2018)
The new 6th generation Polo is already conquering Europe, and most recently its release began in Brazil. There it has a different name - Virtus. The car is built on a new modular platform MQB-A 0. The body of the new model has lengthened and expanded, the trunk volume has also become larger, but the ground clearance has become smaller. In the European market, Polo VI is equipped with 1.0 MPI (65 or 75 hp), 1.0 TSI (95 or 115 hp) and 1.5 TSI (150 hp) petrol powertrains, as well as two versions of the 1.6 TDI turbodiesel (80 or 95 hp).
Transmissions are still used the same as in the 5th generation of the brand. This is a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed DSG robot with two clutches. Many new helpers have been added:
- automatic valet;
- emergency braking system that recognizes passengers;
- wireless charging for mobile phones;
- adaptive cruise control;
- blind spot detection system.
Photo gallery: new Brazilian Volkswagen Polo sedan 2018 - Volkswagen Virtus
The chassis of the new VW Polo has been redesigned, although the configuration remains the same The Virtus stern is made in the style of older VW models and flaunts horizontal lights instead of vertical The dashboard is electronic, capable of changing its appearance
Deliveries of the new hatchback to Russia are not planned. Unfortunately, the date of the transition of the Kaluga plant to the production of the sixth generation Polo sedan is also unknown. In the meantime, motorists should be content with the fifth generation of German state employees. Let's hope this happens in the near future.
Video: interior and exterior of the new Volkswagen Polo hatchback 2018
Video: overview of trim levels and engines "Volkswagen Virtus" sedan 2018
Video: test drive Volkswagen Polo 2018 hatchback around the city and highway
Video: crash test VW Polo VI 2018
Video: Volkswagen Polo V 2017 review interior and exterior
Video: Polo Sedan 110 HP With. after restyling, review and test on the track
Video: crash test VW Polo fifth generation sedan 2013
The new version of the compact hatchback Polo came out in classic Volkswagen style. Despite the fact that in total all the changes in the appearance of the new "Polo" do not even pull on restyling, in fact, the car has changed quite seriously and now it can be called "little Golf" without stretch. We also bothered to ride a 2014 Volkswagen Polo and evaluate all the changes.
It's very Volkswagen-style to update the car so that no one notices anything ... A bright blue test car was waiting for us right at Munich Airport - this color has become the hallmark of the restyled version and the Fresh package, which will be offered to customers only in the first year of sales . A car of this color will drive on all promotions of the model.
According to Volkswagen representatives, the new Polo is like a small VW Golf, not only in terms of design, but also in terms of technology, comfort and safety. Of course, this positioning also affected the price. But in our country, the new Polo starts with the same price tag as before restyling.
Tradition is extremely important to Volkswagen. The Germans never allowed drastic design updates and experiments. New generations of all models are carefully calibrated so that some conservative client will never turn away from the company.
Not in vain, oh not in vain, the designers added a new bright color to the Polo range - it is by it that buyers will be able to identify that they have a restyled car in front of them, and not the previous one. After all, you have to look for changes almost with a magnifying glass. Yes, the geometry of the front and rear optics has changed a lot, yes, new wheels have appeared, but the LED elements in the optics have become the main “chip”. However, cars with such headlights will go on sale a little later, but for now, ordinary halogens shine from there.
We advise future owners of new items to take a closer look at the new color, otherwise no one will notice that they bought a restyled Polo. However, the conservatism of Volkswagen design is no longer surprising: the Germans know better what their customers value.
There are no revelations in the design of the pseudo-SUV Volkswagen CrossPolo. It also has its own corporate color, which replaced the bright orange. As usual, the "off-road" car is distinguished by roof rails, moldings around the perimeter and chic seventeen-inch wheels. One minus - it will not be easy to pick up winter tires for such wheels.
As for the “civilian” version of Polo, in Ukraine it will be available with 15-inch wheels. An inch more will have to be ordered, and there are no 17-inch ones at all. By the way, they didn’t save on stock “rubber” in a regular and Cross hatchback: in the first case, Dunlop tires are used, and in the second, Goodyear tires. But the CrossPolo wheels are, of course, better.
The restyled VW Polo is in every way aspiring to the VW Golf. It is of interest to those buyers who do not want a Golf-sized car, but are willing to pay for close or similar equipment. Therefore, the new hatchback is equipped with a different dashboard, steering wheel and other nice options.
For tests, we were given a car with a light interior trim that looks very attractive. In practice, we've already found that the light-coloured plastics don't feel as good as they look, and the door cards feel a bit flimsy and cheap. But the complaints about the interior of the new VW Polo end there: in all other senses, it has evolved.
For starters, the Polo is now being sold with the exact same steering wheel as the Golf. The steering wheels are identical both in appearance and functionality. There is progress in multimedia systems. In the photos you see the top version with navigation software and a 6.5-inch screen. There is a simpler version with a five-inch screen and no navigation software: it is also found in different versions of the VW Golf and SEAT Leon. The lacquered gray plastic framed by the radio and climate control unit looks very good: the coating is pleasant and durable.
The dashboard was also “pumped”, and again in the direction of the VW Golf: even a color monitor with a 3D matrix is optionally available. In general, the interior of the new "Polo" constantly suggests analogies with the "big brother", the car has pulled itself up to its level, both in design and equipment.
Of the pleasant little things, the concern for passengers, that is, about their things, is immediately noticeable: roomy pockets appeared in the doors, deep cup holders, a folding armrest with a drawer and a deep glove box, as well as retractable trays under the front seats. There is even floor lighting, which creates a special coziness in the evening. The rear passengers have their own lights.
As usual with Volkswagen cars, driving a restyled hatchback did not have to get used to. The discreet design hides high ergonomics and standardization. On the one hand, it’s boring, because having traveled on one of the brand’s cars, you can assume that you drove all of them. On the other hand, in any Volkswagen model you begin to feel at home and no longer learn anything new.
In terms of overall parameters, the new VW Polo does not differ from the previous one: 2 mm differences in size did not affect anything. The front seats are spacious enough that even people with a height of 190 cm can comfortably accommodate here.
The steering wheel extends decently enough and rarely anyone will not be able to choose the optimal configuration for themselves. But after driving 100 km, we still identified one weak point - an almost perfect seat at first glance is tiring. Perhaps it was still worth adjusting it better, but this shortcoming was already revealed on the way to the airport.
Not enough space on the back seat. A tall passenger will fit there and will not complain about the torment, but on a long journey he will prefer to take tickets to the reserved seat car of the train. Your knees closely support the back, you sit straight, fortunately, that you do not rest your head on the ceiling. What do you say, he is B-class and B-class in Africa.
The trunk in the European versions of the VW Polo is slightly larger, since it does not have a spare wheel. Therefore, in the test car, we found a raised floor, and even a decent size niche under the floor. In our cars, this space will be occupied by a spare tire.
In terms of equipment level, the Volkswagen Polo after restyling cannot be called a role model in the class, but the hatchback still has certain advantages over its competitors. While Korean offerings in this class focus on features (heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, etc.), Volkswagen is bringing other technologies to the masses: adaptive suspension, turbocharged engines, adaptive cruise control, and even a warning system. collisions.
The most noticeable innovation for the buyer will be adaptive cruise control and Front Assist collision avoidance system. The latter monitors all cars in front and, in the event of an unsafe approach, informs the driver with a sound signal, dampens the gas pedal and sharpens the brakes. Adaptive cruise control keeps a safe distance and is able to bring the car to a complete stop if necessary. The system will resume movement as soon as the vehicle in front moves off. The system works great and allows you to rest even on country roads.
Already the basic equipment of the restyled VW Polo has an ESP system (Volkswagen calls it ESC) and a vehicle retention system after side impacts, which helps the driver stabilize the car. Also in the database there is a set of four airbags: a pair of frontal and a pair of side airbags for the driver and front passenger. A set of side rear airbags is optionally available. As an option, there is also a rear-view camera, which was not previously offered for the Volkswagen Polo. The restyled hatchback “learned” to control tire pressure and recognize driver fatigue.
Immediately upon issuing hatchbacks, we were told not to get too carried away with diesel engines, since they would not be available in Ukraine. Of course, this did not stop us from riding them for fun, but we still paid more attention to the 90-horsepower 1.2 TSI engine. But before sharing our impressions, let's talk about the motor range.
The base VW Polo 2014 will receive a liter three-cylinder naturally aspirated unit with a capacity of 75 hp. As partners, he has only a five-speed “mechanics”. The motor is available only in the Trandline package.
It is immediately followed by a 110 hp liter turbo unit, which will be equipped with both Polo and CrossPolo. Two transmissions are offered for it - a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed DSG. Expected to be on sale in Ukraine only from November. From November, 1.8 TSI will also appear in the Polo engine range, but only for the modification of the VW Polo GTI. At the same time, a 1.4 TDI diesel engine will also be released in power modifications of 75 or 105 hp. For the latter, only one box is available - a five-speed "mechanics". These motors are no longer new, they comply with Euro-4 requirements. The Germans found it impractical to adapt the DSG for them, so only manual boxes, only for corporate customers.
The main bet in Volkswagen is made on 1.2 TSI with a seven-speed DSG “robot”. Importers expect the greatest interest among Ukrainians to 1.2 TSI 90 hp. and DSG.
The new 90-horsepower TSI unit behaves perfectly. It cannot be said that it is more than enough - you should be careful when overtaking. But when compared with the atmospheric 1.4, which was used in the pre-styling Polo, in any case, progress is on the face - the new Polo rides well. In the city, the combination of this engine with a five-speed “mechanics” is also on the level, since the long shelf of the moment allows you not to switch too often. But on the highway, five gears are already not enough - at 110 km / h the tachometer already shows about 3,000 rpm, which negatively affects consumption. But with a seven-speed DSG “robot”, it’s another matter - even at 130 km / h the engine spins up to 2,000 rpm, and on the autobahn you can squeeze out all 170 km / h. Accordingly, the machine with DSG consumes 0.5 - 1 liter less. With a quiet ride on the highway, it is quite possible to get 5.5 liters of consumption and 6.5 - 7 liters in the city without traffic jams. The feeling of driving with a "robot" is very pleasant.
On the suspension and steering wheel, the VW Polo did not present any unpleasant surprises after restyling. This is in every sense a typical Volkswagen: obedient, collected, comfortable and without sports excesses. That is, it is an excellent everyday companion that will not give you unpleasant surprises and will not tire you.
Video | Euro NCAP Volkswagen Polo crash test
Child restraints
Pedestrian safety
Comments:
After the initial frontal impact, the manufacturer improved the driver's lower leg protection. Here are the test results of the modified car. The Polo performed well in a frontal impact, suffering only relatively little deformation of the passenger compartment. Side impact protection was also good. The manufacturer decided to fund additional testing to show the benefits of side curtain airbags. Child protection has been mixed, and pedestrian protection has been poor.Frontal impact:
The passenger's front airbag is standard. It helped to keep the load on his chest below the load on the driver's chest, but the results were quite normal for such a small car. A change in the design of the left foot pad after the first test reduced the likelihood of leg injury. Although the efforts of the designers to protect the driver's knees are commendable, the final results did not meet the requirements of Euro NCAP. However, it is extremely difficult for any small car to meet these requirements due to the lack of legroom. The center seat in the rear row of seats was equipped with only a two-point belt, which provided worse protection than a three-point one.Safety of child passengers:
Airbag safety tips have been implemented in the form of a pictogram on the B-pillar and a decal on the windshield. None of the messages warned of the dangers of installing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat. For both children, the same chairs "in the direction of travel" were used. Heads were safe in a frontal impact, but not in a side impact. With the exception of the high strain on the youngest child's neck, the protection of all parts of the body was good.Side kick:
The car scored the maximum number of points. The manufacturer offered as an option a curtain airbag to protect the head in a side impact and funded additional tests of such a car. The car passed it well, proving the effectiveness of curtains, however, these results were not included in the overall rating, since curtains were not included in the basic package.Pedestrian safety:
The large windshield helped the Polo cushion the impact of pedestrians, but the overall result was poor.To protect the driver and passengers in the Volkswagen Polo model, passive and active safety systems have been introduced.
They differ depending on the chosen configuration, the effectiveness of the measures taken can be judged by official crash test data.
In the design and production of the Volkswagen Polo, we were guided by the requirements of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - UNECE. They regulate the protection of the driver and passenger in the event of a frontal and side impact, the fastening of child seats, the operation of warning systems when leaving the road, and emergency braking.
Based on these requirements, the manufacturer has provided the following basic protection measures that each Volkswagen Polo sedan is equipped with:
- The ABS system, operates in emergency and normal braking modes, controls the pressure of the brake fluid;
- Airbags - one each for the driver and passenger in the front seat;
- Three-point belts on all seats, front can be adjusted in height;
- Headrests with height adjustment - 2 in front and three for rear passengers;
- If the driver's belt is not fastened while the engine is running, an audible and indicator alert is triggered.
For better controllability of the car, which directly affects safety, the Volkswagen Polo is equipped with front disc brakes and anti-lock braking system ABS in the basic configuration. The car is protected from theft by an electronic immobilizer.
Additional options
In addition to the basic means of ensuring protection and better controllability of the machine, the manufacturer has provided additional measures. They are conditionally divided into two types - the first are installed depending on the selected configuration, the second can be purchased as a separate package of options. Important: Changing the security options is not possible.
Additional protections for Trendline, Drive, Comfortline, Highline and GT:
- Installed rear disc brakes;
- ESP stabilization for better directional stability, steering control during maneuvers, only for 7-automatic transmissions (Drive, Highline and GT equipment);
- Front fog lights with turn signal (Highline and GT only).
The additional package of options "Safety" has rear and front parking sensors, side airbags, but only for the front passenger and driver.
Its cost is 20,990 rubles.
Volkswagen Polo crash test results
The most objective data on the degree of safety of the Volkswagen Polo are presented in the results of the Euro NCAP crash test. This particular vehicle model has not been tested by the US Insurance Institute for Safety IIHS.
Volkswagen Polo sedan assembled in Kaluga was crash tested by ARCAP (Russia) only in 2010. Results may differ from the actual results of the latest model. Therefore, only official data from Euro NCAP can be considered.
The speed of the car in a frontal collision is 64 km/h, two types of obstacles - monolithic and deformable. The maximum impact spot does not exceed 40% of the machine width. Side impact occurs at a speed of 50 km / h. The degree of impact on a pedestrian is also checked when a car is moving at 50 km / h
Driver and adult passenger
Most of the results were good. During a head-on collision, the impact energy was compensated by belts and pillows. In the event of a full-width frontal impact, the driver is not injured, but minor damage may occur if a deformable obstacle is encountered.
Test results:
- Deformable obstacle - 7.6;
- Head-on collision - 7.8;
- Side impact - 16;
- Rear impact - 2.4.
The indicator of the emergency braking system in urban conditions is good.
Rear passenger and child
No damage to the dummies of a six-year-old (in a child seat) and a ten-year-old child. The seat belts worked well, there is protection of all parts of the body. The data was confirmed in a frontal and side collision. When the front passenger airbag was turned off to install a rear child seat, the driver was notified.
Results:
- Front kick - 15;
- Side collision - 8;
- Holding a child seat - 12.
In the tests, two types of child seats were used - for a child of 6 and 10 years old.
Collision with a pedestrian
When hitting the front of the car, damage to pedestrians is minimal. There are some problems when colliding with the edges of the windshield. The most dangerous areas are at the exterior rear-view mirrors.
Pedestrian damage assessment:
- Head - 15.9;
- Pelvis - 4.8;
- Legs - 6.
Damage to the car was not global. During a frontal impact, the doorway shifted by 2 mm, there were no deformations of the welds. The front part is completely crushed, the engine has not gone beyond the subframe.
The Japanese organization NCAP carried out a series of crash tests, as a result of which the Volkswagen Polo Sedan showed the highest possible result in the category “safety of the driver and passengers”, receiving 6 stars plus. A budget car from the Volkswagen range with honor passed all the tests (3 different crash tests that check the reliability of a car in an accident from different sides) and became the owner of the unofficial title of the safest of all foreign B-class cars supplied to Japan.
According to the regulations, the first crash test is a head-on collision at a speed of 55 km/h, the second - frontal impact with overlap 40%
and with speed 64km/h, and the third simulates a side impact. used as an obstacle trolley with a total mass of 950 kg, the speed of which is 55 km / h
. Volkswagen Polo Sedan during the test showed excellent results. Plus to 6 stars was added after processing the readings of the equipment installed in the mannequins. The recorded data on shock loads on various parts of the bodies of passengers and the driver turned out to be much less than the permissible standards, which indicates a very high level of safety for this car.
A Volkswagen Polo Sedan crash test was also carried out to determine the level of safety for rear passengers. The car successfully coped with this test, scoring 4 stars out of a maximum of 5.
Before the crash tests, the efficiency of the Volkswagen Polo Sedan braking system was also evaluated on two types of asphalt-simulating surface - wet and dry. The test was carried out in the form of braking from 100 km / h and the subsequent measurement of the braking distance. The car showed results 39.5 m
on a dry surface and and 40.8 m on the wet, meeting the standards. Auxiliary tests were also carried out to check the safety of a pedestrian in a collision, the level of protection of the cervical vertebrae, etc. The car successfully passed all of them.
Crash test volkswag en polo sedan video
A few weeks later, the Volkswagen Polo Sedan was tested by EuroNCAP using similar methods. According to the results of crash tests, he became the owner of 5 stars, which means the highest possible result.
