VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.0 TSI 75PS

Price £14,900 (est) On sale October What’s new It’s the non-turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot version of the latest Polo

POLO BUYERS IN less of a hurry than the majority who will choose the 94bhp turbo 1.0 litre can select this normally aspirated 74bhp triple, good for 62mph in 14.9sec rather than 10.8sec. That’s quite a difference, and the reason is the loss of the torque, which drops from 129lb ft to 70lb ft, delivered 1000rpm later at 3000rpm.

The lesser engine nevertheless pulls effectively enough, and smoothly, too. There’s no benefit in official consumption though, the naturally aspirated engine scoring 58.9mpg to the turbo’s 62.8mpg combined. The 94bhp isn’t a lot more money, making it easy to see why it will sell best.