New car trivia: Next-gen Volkswagen Polo

After an eight-year production run, the carmaker is set to replace the current Polo with an all-new one. The all-new Polo features a more grown-up appearance and is larger than the outgoing car. The new VW is built on an all-new platform as well. Here are the key talking points.

1. Larger than its predecessor
The new Polo is measures 4,053mm in length, is 1,751mm wide, and its height is 1,446mm, while the car’s wheelbase is 2,564mm - the car is larger and wider than its predecessor. The new car will provide a more spacious cabin than the outgoing model, however, when it comes to India, this increase in length will mean it cannot reap the benefits of being a sub-four metre model.

2. Underpinned by VW’s MQB platform
The previous Polo was built on VW’s PQ25 platform, and the next-gen model is built on the company’s modular MQB platform. This will mean that the car could be lighter than its predecessor.

3. Look like a mini Golf
The car shares a lot of components with its larger sibling, the Golf. Inside, the dashboard, seats and control surfaces could be shared with the larger Golf as well.

4. Choice of petrol and diesel engines
There will be a range of new and updated petrol and diesel engines on offer. The petrol line-up includes a 1.0-litre TSI unit in four different states of tune, along with a new 1.4-litre TSI unit in two states of tune. The diesel line-up is available as a 1.6-litre unit with two different power outputs.

5. No news on India launch
VW’s alliance with Tata Motors over the use of Tata’s AMP platform to develop indigenous cars for the market could be the reason why. While the company does want to replace the current Polo that’s sold here, we’re not sure if it will bring a reengineered version of the new Polo or launch an indigenously developed alternative here.