Our Volvo mechanics sure do love to get a sneak peek of upcoming Volvo releases. The German car maker didn’t disappoint. Last June, it unveiled the all-new Polo, ahead of the model’s international launch in the latter half of the year.
The new release features a much more dynamic exterior, featuring redesigned headlights, a more heavily sloping roofline and a updated structured rear-end design. The makeover was done in order to increase its sales appeal, VW officials stated.
“The new Polo eschews the old PQ25 platform of today’s model for an all-new MQB-based structure developed for the Volkswagen Group’s so-called A0 segment models, which include the new Seat Ibiza and next-generation Skoda Fabia. Reflecting the changes to the recently unveiled new Ibiza, the upcoming Polo is notably longer and wider than before. The new car is 4,053mm long, 1,751mm wide, 1,446mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,564mm.
The bigger dimensions are allied to a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, which also mean increased interior space and a significantly larger boot than the outgoing model.”
The Interior: Beauty to Behold
And that’s just on the outside. The new Volvo also retrofitted its interior design, including soft dashboard fascia and new trim elements, as well as controls and front seats inspired by the latest Golf release. The car will also feature a new digital instrument display and a new generation of touchscreen infotainment systems. It also has auto parking and keyless entry.
The turbo 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol replaces the old 1.4 litre engine, which features upwards of 200hp, so those VW brakes will definitely need some stopping power.
Perhaps to brighten its environmental image in the wake of Dieselgate, VW designed the Polo to be more fuel efficient.
“Today’s model has 14 different drivetrain alternatives,” an insider told Autocar UK. “This will be reduced. You’ll see more modern and economical engines in the future.”
Volkswagen has entered into an alliance with Tata Motors for the Indian market over the use of Tata’s AMP platform to develop indigenous cars for the market.
Either way, our Volvo technicians can’t wait to get under the hood and see it for themselves.
