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In the diffused warm glow of the sun, it's easy to see that VW has done extensive changes to the new Polo to ensure that it will more than hold its own against the slew of new "larger" compact hatches that are already in stores. For starters, the new Polo is nearly as big as a Golf and dwarfs the Mark IV Polo in every single way, its 54mm longer, 32mm wider, 14mm lower and backed up with an equally broad track for a more substantial poise and beefier stance.
Exterior
It's no surprise that the new Polo resembles the current Golf Mark VI; this is in-line with Volkswagen's corporate branding and vehicular DNA. When viewed from the front, the resemblance is uncanny, just like its bigger brothers, the Polo adopts the blacked-out headlamp treatment which are in turn connected by a slick horizontal black grille; just below that is another bigger horizontal black panel that serves as the front air-dam as well as housing for the daytime running foglamps.
Moving onto the rear, the Polo's number plate has been moved further down and now resides in the centre of the bumper, this allows massive open space on the bootlid area - allowing VW engineers to carve out even more visual space. Riding on the rear minimalist styling are cube-like tail-lamps that bear a passing semblance to those from the Audi A3.
On a designer's note, the Polo of yore was all about soft rounded edges, the new car on the other hand is all about hard, angular corners with sculptured shoulder/body lines. The overall feel to the Polo is a surprisingly handsome looking compact hatch without all those fussy add-ons so common in other cars these days.
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Interior
Getting into the Polo's new cabin, the family lineage continues as nearly everything in here is miniature version of its bigger brother. VW didn't let up on the quality either as the dash and surrounding panels are lined with soft-touch plastics and other expensive materials with impressive build quality.
Even if you're just playing around with the ergonomically-friendly steering mounted controls or navigating through the fool-proof GPS system found on the LCD audio unit, everything just feels right and polished. The Polo feels like a car priced a few notches up the range class. And with its longer wheelbase, cabin space is appropriately upsized as well.
Volkswagen has also trimmed the weight down on the new Polo. Even with the latest safety equipment, larger dimensions and improved build quality, the new car has some variants weighing less than a tonne! Besides the weight-loss programme, Volkswagen also stressed its commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental awareness which is evident in the Polo's lower emissions and further improved fuel economy.
The new Polo will probably hit our shores sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009, motorists here will get the normally-aspirated 1.4-litre engine that produces 85bhp and comes packed with the critically acclaimed 7-speed DSG gearbox, which is the same version sampled in Sardinia.
Besides the 1.4 lump, VW also has an array of other engine variants that will be offered globally, of particular importance is the 1.2-litre turbo, which churns out a massive 105bhp and goes to the century mark in a mere 9.7 seconds. At the launch, Volkswagen officials did drop major hints of a Polo GTI in the works which will probably get the 170bhp 1.4 twin-charged TSI engine already found in the Golf Mark VI.
Driving
Driving the Polo proved to be another revelation as the 1.4-litre engine is surprisingly refined. Eager to please, the in-line 4 will keenly rev all the way to its 6000rpm redline without kicking up a ruckus. And in case you forgot, with a sub-one tonne kerb weight not slowing the Polo down, 0-100 is attained in just 12.1 seconds.
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On the b-roads that stretch around Oblia, the Polo possessed tremendous mid-range torque which allowed for easy overtaking maneuvers. A good part of the 1.4's amazing prowess is largely due to Volkswagen's highly competent 7-speed DSG box which does all the thinking for you, shifting up or down instantaneously depending on the situation and road conditions.
The majority of Polo(s) will probably be commuting within city centres, and that's where the car truly shines with its extraordinary road manners. Ride quality is unsurpassed for a small car as all manner of road irregularities that the Polo rode over barely ruffled the cabin's quiet solace.
However, there is a price for a comfort-biased setup, as steering inputs are a little on the soft side of things and there is a hint of bodyroll as the car goes around corners at higher speeds. Besides these minor issues, steering does feel well weighted with positive feedback. The chassis alone remains incredibly balanced ensuring the Polo always handles predictably with loads of grip.
Impressions
The Polo might not have the makings of anything remotely close to a hot hatch yet (though the Polo GTI might change all that), but with its eye-catching good looks, superb build quality and competent driving dynamics, anyone in the market for a small European hatchback should not look any further.
