Refreshed VW Polo with new diesel engine
The Volkswagen Polo has been around since 2008, and is getting a bit long in the tooth. For the Indian 5-door version, there has been one mid-cycle refresh thus far, introducing the smoked headlamps of the Euro-spec car and adding a few conveniences inside. Dealer sources have confirmed that from July 2014, VW India will start selling the new, facelifted version of the Polo in the country, which was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
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No significant changes at the rear, the silhouette remains the same[/caption]
The changes aren’t drastic and the only external differences appear to be in the front. The headlamps get LEDs, the bumper has been tweaked to include a large air dam and fog lamps. We hope the delicious multi-spoke silver alloy wheels make it to India, though it is unlikely.
For Europe, the interiors have been reworked to look fresher and more premium. In fact, the instrument cluster and central console seem borrowed from the larger Golf. However, the rest of the switch gear, cubby holes, radio controls and window switches remain unchanged.
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The Euro-spec Polo borrows from the more premium Golf[/caption]
The most significant change comes with the engine, with VW offering a 1.5-litre four-pot TDI motor that develops 103bhp and 250Nm of torque. This is the same as the existing 1.6-litre diesel found in the Vento and Polo GT TDI, which will be discontinued. This engine will also likely find its way into the Rapid. We couldn’t get a comment on whether the three-pot 1.2-litre diesel will be phased out, but we know that the refreshed Polo will continue to be offered with the same 74bhp three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre TSI engine producing 103bhp and 175Nm of torque. VW’s DSG dual-clutch transmission will be available with the TSI motor.
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The 1.6-litre TDI will be phased out in favour of the 1.5-litre TDI[/caption]
There’s no word of prices yet, but we expect the new Polo to cost slightly more than the outgoing model.
