Ford has recently launched the new daringly-styled Fiesta, and still nothing. Usually, when a big European manufacturer unveils a new model, there’s a frenzy of activity in that car’s segment in the marketplace. Rival models can be like buses; up to three or four competing models can all come at once, usually after a long drought of new metal. It happened in 2002. VW pulled the covers off the Series 3 Polo at the Frankfurt Motor Show, just as Ford did the same with its then-new Fiesta. Across the hall, Citroën unwrapped its challenger, too, the 2CV-inspired C3.
So, with a new Fiesta, Škoda Fabia, and SEAT Ibiza only months old, why haven’t we seen a newly-minted Polo? That could be an easy one to answer. Volkswagen has been very busy of late, pushing the new Scirocco into the world, and rushing through the sixth generation Golf, ready for an early 2009 launch. The Polo simply hasn’t been top of its agenda recently.
But, don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s all quiet on the new Polo front. Barely a month goes by without some artist’s impression of a new version of VW’s small car in the motoring weeklies. And, if all the hype is to be believed, there’s much to look forward to.
Building on the thirty-four year success of its predecessors, the 2009 model will still be one of the most refined and well made cars in its class. All the sensible stuff hasn’t been engineered out either, with fuel economy and comfort still watch words for the fifth generation Polo. But, in addition to the bread and butter three and five-door hatchbacks, it has been reported that Volkswagen may bolster the Polo family by adding MPV and proper SUV variants.
Not only that, but a two-seater roadster is said to be under development, too, adding some pizazz to the flagship TSI 1.4-litre, 185bhp GTI. But, in the current economic climate, it will be interesting to see how many of these halo models have seen their development wings clipped. I’m hoping it’s not many.
Supposedly Golf 6-like in looks, the new car will take on VW’s new family face, distancing it yet further from its Czech and Spanish cousins, with which it shares its platform. Given the shared DNA, it’s surprising that some details haven’t leaked. I expect the car to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. 2009 is certainly shaping up to be a classic Polo year.
Tags: Cars, Polo, Volkswagen