Mint Polo

Browse pages
Current page

1

Current page

2

Current page

3

Current page

4

Current page

5

Current page

6

Current page

7

Current page

8

Current page

9

Current page

10

Current page

11

Current page

12

Current page

13

Current page

14

Current page

15

Current page

16

Current page

17

Current page

18

Current page

19

Current page

20

Current page

21

Current page

22

Current page

23

Current page

24

Current page

25

Current page

26

Current page

27

Current page

28

Current page

29

Current page

30

Current page

31

Current page

32

Current page

33

Current page

34

Current page

35

Current page

36

Current page

37

Current page

38

Current page

39

Current page

40

Current page

41

Current page

42

Current page

43

Current page

44

Current page

45

Current page

46

Current page

47

Current page

48

Current page

49

Current page

50

Current page

51

Current page

52

Current page

53

Current page

54

Current page

55

Current page

56

Current page

57

Current page

58

Current page

59

Current page

60

Current page

61

Current page

62

Current page

63

Current page

64

Current page

65

Current page

66

Current page

67

Current page

68

Current page

69

Current page

70

Current page

71

Current page

72

Current page

73

Current page

74

Current page

75

Current page

76

Current page

77

Current page

78

Current page

79

Current page

80

Current page

81

Current page

82

Current page

83

Current page

84

Current page

85

Current page

86

Current page

87

Current page

88

Current page

89

Current page

90

Current page

91

Current page

92

Current page

93

Current page

94

Current page

95

Current page

96

Current page

97

Current page

98

Current page

99

Current page

100

Current page

101

Current page

102

Current page

103

Current page

104

Current page

105

Current page

106

Current page

107

Current page

108

Volkswagen is nothing if not thorough, and the new Polo is a demonstration of corporate efficiency in that it not only conforms to all current legislative requirements, but meets many for the future as well. Needless to say, the little car is scooping up awards left, right and centre. Almost before you get to try it, you know that VW has got it right again.

All new from the base up (and it needed to be), the latest Polo is shorter, taller and wider than its predecessor, and is available as a five-door for the very first time. With the introduction of the 1.9 diesel, VW is confident that the Polo now caters for all sectors of the small car market.

For the moment, the 75bhp 1.6GLX is the flagship of an 18 model range clothed beneath an all-new, stiffer shell. The overall dimensions of the Polo are similar to those of the Mk I Golf, though 20 years down the line the GLX could never evoke the same emotions. Still, it looks neat alongside the current bloated Golf and is one of the more handsome (if one can apply the term to hatchbacks) cars in its class.

At £11,750 the GLX is competitively priced considering the level of standard equipment: this includes power steering, alloy wheels, sports front seats, driver and passenger air bags, fog lights and stereo system with removable front panel. For the first time, ABS is an option.

Instantly noticeable is the power steering. In this respect, the new Polo is further removed from its predecessor than Manchester United are from the European Cup final. The GLX feels more like a Golf than a Polo thanks to its more substantial controls and more robust body. Refinement is now in a different dimension: the suspension is firm, the ride supple; there is little noise intrusion until you hit the higher octaves in the rev range, at which point harshness overcomes the deadening benefits of the pendulum mounting system, a concept geared towards reducing vibration.

Disappointments in the GLX are few. Performance is modest, as yet. There is nothing to touch the old supercharged G40; the 1.6 GLX takes over 12s to reach 60 mph from rest. The 107 mph top speed would be marmalised by the cheaper, more distinctive Fiat Punto GT. But that’s not the whole story. The Polo’s chassis is sure footed, agile and hysteria-free with reasonable turn-in and modest understeer. There is plenty of roll, albeit controlled, and the steering is quick and communicative enough to make the Polo as much, if not more, fun to drive hard than any rival.

Braking efficiency has been improved immeasurably, though VW could hardly have failed in this respect, so poor was the old Polo.

With increased passenger compartment and boot space, the new VW baby is altogether a more efficient package than ever before, combining all the necessary ingredients in the right quantities to provide an almost flawless supermini.