Volkswagen Polo gets three doors and five stars

Volkswagen is getting in on the Frankfurt gig with a new three-door Polo to be revealed there in a few weeks. To get us in the mood the chaps at Wolfsburg have released a few pics and here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Previously the mini-Golf had only been seen in five door guise, here and here. Check out the pics and presser from Volkswagen AG after the jump.

UPDATE: Volkswagen has just announced the new Polo has achieved a five star Euro NCAP crash rating. More details, including crash test footage, at the end of the article.

Volkswagen adds dynamic three-door to the Polo model range

• Three-door will also be available as BlueMotion model with 3.3 litre fuel economy

Wolfsburg, 26 August 2009 – Bestseller with new entry-level version: As a world premiere, Volkswagen is presenting the youngest offspring of the Polo family at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (IAA, September 17 to 27): an agile three-door. Its longer doors compared to the five-door version, new styling of the row of side windows and the dynamic lines of the sporty C-pillars give the car a nearly coupe-like appearance in its side profile.

At its market launch this Fall, the extremely elegant and safe three-door will be available in six engine versions (from 44 kW / 60 PS to 77 kW / 105 PS) and three equipment variants (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline). The model’s entry-level version will now be the three-door Polo 1.2 Trendline with ESP at a price of 12,150 Euros1. The new Polo BlueMotion will also be available as a three-door and five-door model; the production version is also debuting in Frankfurt. The world’s most fuel-efficient car in its class (55 kW / 75 PS) has a fuel consumption of 3.3 litres diesel per 100 kilometres (equivalent to 87 g/km CO2). The Polo range is gaining tremendous momentum here. Our declared goal: successes in the Polo class on the same magnitude as those of the Golf.

Unmistakable proportions in styling

The three-door Polo marks the entry of another model into the Volkswagen range that follows a new “design DNA” 1:1. This “DNA” was developed by Group Design Chief Walter de Silva. The brand’s characteristic new face is a key aspect of this styling that exhibits a strong horizontal orientation of basic surfaces and a clarity of forms that de Silva refers to as “La Semplicità“. The overall design is characterized by sharp, precise lines.

In this process, high priority is given to the car’s proportions. Walter de Silva: “A ‘bella automobile’ has perfect proportions. The Polo confirms this to be true.” Striking in this context are the short body overhangs, the car’s broad width in proportion to its height, its prominent wheel housings and powerful shoulder sections. Style defining is the side profile of the three-door Polo. As on every Volkswagen designed under the leadership of de Silva, there are just two key lines here: the upper character line and an additional, supportive lower line. Resting atop the dominant character line between the upper borders of the headlights and taillights is the roof. The strong shoulder section is also developed from the character line. Even more: The upper and lower lines generate an exciting interplay of light and shadow, and despite the design’s simplicity they also create a very muscular modulation of surfaces.

Overall, the three-door Polo has an appearance that is lower to the ground and stretched. The reason: The practically invisible B-pillar and more slender C-pillar gives the row of windows a longer visual appearance. This effect is reinforced by the similarly longer upward curve of the row of side windows from the B-pillar back. This results in an even more dynamic overall feeling.

The body dimensions of the three and five-door versions are identical with a length of 3,970 millimetres, width of 1,682 millimetres and height of 1,485 millimetres. The same applies to the interior space and cargo capacities (280 to 952 litres).

Generous standard features

Even the base version – the Polo Trendline – is being launched with an extensive package of safety and convenience features. A standard feature in all large EU countries is the electronic stabilization program ESP. Other standard features include daytime running lights, power-assist steering, electric windows in front, central locking, cargo area lighting, warning buzzer for light left on, height adjustment on driver’s seat, vanity mirrors and tinted windows.

Identifying features of the mid-line equipment version, the Comfortline (starting at 14,150 Euros1 and 51 kW / 70 PS), are car-coloured door mirrors and door handles, H7 dual headlights, chrome trim inserts in the radiator grille and 15-inch wheels. On the convenience side, it is supplemented by standard features such as an air conditioning system, electrically heated and adjustable door mirror, Easy-Entry System (three-door), height-adjustable front passenger’s seat, storage drawers under the front seats, various accents in aluminium look, split folding rear bench seat/backrest, dual cargo floor, storage pockets on the backs of the front backrests and RF remote central locking.

The exclusive Polo Highline (starting at 15,900 Euros1 and 63 kW / 85 PS) is characterized by wide-ranging individualization. On the exterior, it is distinguished by additional chrome trim on the lower air intake, 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps from the Comfortline equipment version. Inside, the Polo Highline is upgraded by details such as a three-spoke leather steering wheel, front centre armrest, multi-function display and tyre pressure indicator, height-adjustable sport seats and leather-trimmed handbrake grip and gear knob.

Advanced engines are sustainable engines

At this time, six engines will be offered on the three-door and five-door Polo: three petrol and three diesel. The petrol engines are available at the power levels 44 kW / 60 PS, 51 KW / 70 PS and 63 kW / 85 PS. As an option, Volkswagen is also offering the Polo with an automatic 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) for the first time. The 85-PS petrol engine may be paired with DSG as an option. Already in the starting blocks for the Polo is a fourth petrol engine, a new TSI, which is a fuel-efficient yet sporty turbo direct-injection engine with 77 kW / 105 PS. It too will be offered in a DSG version.

On the diesel side, Volkswagen is exclusively offering new common rail TDI engines with particulate filters on the Polo three-door and five-door cars. They output 55 kW / 75 PS, 66 kW / 90 PS and 77 kW / 105 PS. The 90-PS version may be ordered with DSG. The fourth TDI to be offered is the new 1.2-liter TDI of the Polo BlueMotion that will be introduced at the beginning of 2010 (advance sales already begin in 2009).

Five stars for the safest Polo ever

• Euro NCAP confirms optimal protection for occupants and pedestrians

Wolfsburg, 26 August, 2009 – The new Polo has been subjected to the more stringent Euro NCAP crash tests and received the best possible score of five stars. Volkswagen put together a safety package for the new 5th-generation Polo including optimised body structure, a highly effective belt-and-airbag combination and driver-assist systems. The result is the safest compact car in the world.

During the most recent tests performed by the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Polo was subjected to a controlled collision with a barrier at a speed of 64 km/h, whereby the passenger cell remained virtually undamaged. The crash dummies testify to the Polo’s high scores in the most important categories: occupant protection and child safety. The structurally rigid body, among other things, contributes to this result.

The extreme rigidity of the new Polo was achieved through, among other things, the use of high-strength and ultra high-strength steels in the side structures and footwell. The extremely rigid bumper cross-member in front ensures that impact forces are distributed.

But pedestrian safety is just as important as occupant safety. The requirements for pedestrian safety were already integrated into the developmental work during the design phase of the new Polo. Consequently, the “harp”, as the newly designed sheet metal behind the front bumper cover is called, provides the deformation space necessary to minimize the severity of leg injuries.

Electronic safety and assistance systems which prevent accidents or avoid severe injuries are also evaluated in the new Euro NCAP procedure. One of the most important assistance systems, the electronic stabilisation programme ESP, is standard in the Polo. Additional standard equipment such as a highly effective belt-and-airbag combination as well as front head restraints which counteract whiplash further improves safety.