There are no two ways about it, the new Polo is a real winner. The key to such confidence is its sporty elegance. Powerful lines accentuate its athletic character, while distinctive details like the attractive new tail lights brilliantly highlight the rear design. An extensive range of individually designed wheels rounds off the overall sporty look of the new Polo, duly underscoring its dynamic qualities.

'La Semplicita', which essentially means 'the simplicity', is the credo Walter declared for the Polo and it by no way mean a diminishment of features.

"The Polo", says de Silva, "displays self-assured proportions. As soon as you see the car, you are struck by its dynamic looks, while the design is clean and the overall appearance very purposeful. Reduced radii, tight seams and extremely sharp panel edges in its side profile, engine hood and tailgate underscore the car's logical design concept."

The VW family face that has been specially adapted to the Polo with its flat grille and band of headlights that has typified the brand ever since the Scirocco – emphasizes the car's width. Moreover, it conveys an image of the car's very low centre of gravity.

The surface of the instrument panel is constructed using so-called slush technology, a high-end surface structure that is soft to the touch. Noteworthy here is the centre console that is now turned more towards the driver for convenience.

The instruments of the Polo have white backlighting and are styled like those on the Golf. The fuel gauge is digital and very easy to read. Like the bezels for the air vents, the rotary light switch gets a high-end metallic look. Similar to other new models of the VW brand, a new three-spoke steering wheel was developed for the Polo. This and the gear knob are trimmed in high-quality leather.

The driver's seat, front passenger's seat and rear bench seat are all designed for maximum comfort. Compared to the previous model, knee room in the rear has grown with an increase in the interior length to 1,674 mm (extra 8 mm). Shoulder room in front has increased by 22 mm (1,372 mm).

Rear seats fold 60:40 and there is even a level cargo surface with the dual cargo floor, which can be mounted at two different heights.

The four-cylinder aluminium block engine produces 85 hp at 5,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 132 Nm coming in at 3,800 rpm.

But besides offering good response and dynamic performance, the engine is distinguished above all by its excellent economy. The Polo 1.4 with 7-speed DSG consumes only 5.8 litres/100 km. This puts its carbon dioxide value at an extremely low 135 g/km. The three-catalytic converter is equipped with an optimized noble metal coating with the goal of fulfilling Euro 5 emissions limits.

The DSG dual clutch transmission on the Polo delivers a new maximum of efficiency, dynamic response and comfort. Engine power is transmitted to the dual clutch via the crankshaft and a dual-mass flywheel. Clutch 1 handles the odd numbered gears, and clutch 2 the even gears plus reverse gear.

The results of this sophisticated clutch management: when shifting, there are no gaps in propulsive power. Comfort and convenience are excellent, and the driver experiences and incomparably dynamic yet comfortable shifting feeling.

Subjected to the latest and more stringent Euro NCAP crash tests, the Polo received the maximum score of five stars.

It is also the only car in its class with electronic stability programme (ESP) as standard. ESP includes hill hold control, anti-locking braking system (ABS), braking assistant, anti-slip regulation (ASR), electronic limited-slip differential (EDS) and engine braking control (MSR).