Coming June 16, Volkswagen will unveil the latest iteration of the Polo hatchback. Computer-generated renderings of the hatchback have been doing rounds on the internet, and the car has already been spotted testing internationally. From the images of the car available so far, the new Polo appears to share a lot of its styling with the bigger Golf hatchback, and looks more appealing.
It’s built on a new set of underpinnings, which it shares with hatchbacks like the Skoda Fabia sold abroad. This new model is longer and wider than the car it replaces; measuring 4,053mm in length, it’s no longer a sub-four-metre car. Also, its wheelbase of 2,564mm is sizeably up from the current car’s 2456mm. This, of course, should translate to better interior space, which has thus far, been the Polo’s Achilles’ heel.
Also brand new is the hatchback’s cabin. While the outgoing mode’s interior feels like it’s from a class above, the new car is likely to take things a few notches higher. It’s likely to feature a lot of bits form the costlier Golf like a digital instrument cluster, a new touchscreen infotainment system, auto parking and keyless entry.
Engines for the international spec Polo are likely to include a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (available in 65hp, 75hp, 95hp and 115hp versions), a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, which is expected to be offered in 130hp and 150hp guises. The range-topping Polo GTI is likely to get a 200hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor.
While Volkswagen intends to replace diesel engines on the Polo with petrol-electric, hybrid powertrains, the hatchback is likely to continue offering oil-burners for now – most likely a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine.
All engines will come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, while six-speed manuals will be offered on higher, more powerful variants. Automatic variants will get a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
It remains to be seen if Volkswagen will bring the new Polo to India. That’s because the German carmaker recently entered into an association with Tata motors, and could hence develop indigenous cars for India instead of bringing in international models.