SWEATING IT OUT IN THE GYM AND THE BEDROOM
a 1.6-litre TDI with either 59kW or 70kW.
Higher output engines are available with a choice between six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearboxes while humbler Polos come with a fivespeed manual only.
The South African engine range has yet to be confirmed, but it’s unlikely we’ll get the normally aspirated 1-litre, while the mainstay of the range will almost certainly be the 1.0 TSI.
And that’s not all folks! VW has also revealed the GTI version of the new Polo and it comes with a 147kW version of the 2-litre TSI turbopetrol that will be familiar to Golf GTI owners. This replaces the 141kW 1.8 TSI that powers the current Polo GTI.
As before, the flagship gets a GTI-specific styling kit which includes 17-inch alloys, a red-striped honeycomb grille, large rear spoiler, diffuser and twin tail pipes. LED headlights are optional.
Stiffer sport suspension is standard, while buyers can opt for the Sport Select chassis featuring adaptive dampers.
As with the facelifted Golf 7, the new Polo has a highly digitised cabin. Not only will it be offered with VW’s Active Info Display, but it actually gets a brand new version of the digital instrument cluster, which is said to be clearer and easier to operate. This Polo will also offer the latest generation of touchscreen infotainment systems, ranging in size from 16.5cm to 20.3cm.
The new model offers wireless smartphone charging and there’s a wide range of driver assistance systems on offer including the latest-generation active cruise control, now featuring a Stop & Go traffic function, as well as Rear Traffic Alert and an improved semi-automated Park Assist system.
A Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring is also standard across the range, in Europe at least.
South African pricing and specs will be divulged closer to launch next year.