Remember the bright yellow little Volkswagen that arrived with me last summer? While Polos are obviously the main interest over at PoloDriver, I do have a roving eye for most other Volkswagen models, too. So, last summer, I took a 1.2-litre Fox Urban to the North York Moors for a 1200-mile road test to see if Volkswagen’s city car can do most of what the Polo can do, but for £2000 less. Can the smaller, Brazilian-built town tiddler be a true cut-price Polo alternative? For the answer to this question and more about the global Fox family, read the PoloDriver digital mini-mag (previewed below) here.

The new Volkswagen Polo is now on sale in the UK and the rest of Europe, and with revised and updated economical and high-performance versions at opposite ends of the Polo spectrum coming in the next few months, as well as a launch in India and a new saloon variant, it’s going to be a busy 2010 for VW’s newest arrival.

With the Car of the Year 2010 victory ending 2009 on a high, read what impressed the European jury enough to hand the industry award to the Polo in a review of the new range. Driven back in September at the UK press launch, read the initial findings of the 1.2 59 and 69bhp SE, 1.4 84bhp SE, 1.2 59bhp Moda, 1.4 84bhp SEL and 1.6 74bhp TDI.

The mini-magazine can be found on PoloDriver‘s Issuu virtual bookshelf here and is previewed below.

Volkswagen Polo in European Car of the Year 2010 winner shock. Yes, the fifth-generation of Volkswagen’s supermini (above, front right) has gone and done it. I can’t quite believe it. After 34 years it’s finally been awarded one of the oldest prizes in motoring. Snatching victory from the clutches of the Toyota iQ, the new Polo was announced the winner today at a ceremony in Madrid. Beating 33 contenders for the title, it drove over the six other shortlisted finalists with its total of 347 points. Pop over to PoloDriver for the full story.

This spot is now a little old, but still deserves a mention for the stunning driving and cinematography. Volkswagen launched the latest Mk 6 Golf GTI to great fanfare earlier in the year and this TV commercial showcases the car and some superb driving. Made for the ‘Only for Advanced Drivers. From 21 years-old: a recommendation from Volkswagen’ campaign for continental TV screens, it certainly hits the spot (no pun intended) for impact, looking like an action sequence from a Hollywood blockbuster. Great car, great commercial. See how they made it here.

You know that new online project I said I was working on about a month ago? Well, here’s what it was. Actually, it’s one of two, but it’s the one I’ve been spending most of my free time on recently. As you’ve probably guessed from some of the posts on this site, I’m a fan of Volkswagen Polos, and, as strange a choice that may be, they wormed their way in around 18 years ago, and have stayed with me ever since.

I used to co-run the UK’s first enthusiast group for the model, the VW Polo Register, and now, after 13 years and modest success (other clubs are now in operation for the small Volkswagen), I’ve launched PoloDriver.com – the new online resource for the Volkswagen Polo. I’d originally planned a Volkswagen site for all models, but realised that it might be too big an undertaking, so I decided to stick with what I know best.

Partly-timed with the arrival of the new fifth-generation model, the editorially-focused site features all the latest Volkswagen Polo news from around the world, road tests, spotlights on specific model variations, flashbacks to past generations, standard and modified cars and views from contributors.

They’ll also be digital infrequent ‘mini-magazines’, which take advantage of the latest innovations in digital publishing. PoloDriver.com has just published issue one – a first drives supplement of the new model, which is available to view online or download for offline reading in the popular PDF format. With viewing stats readily available, it’s instant, and much easier than the paper newsletter I used to compile and edit.

I hope it’s the start of something exciting. Not only does it promote the Polo (with some support from the Volkswagen UK Press Office, although the site is wholly independent), but it can also be used as a showcase for writing and design, which is what I can be found doing as a day job.

But, as the car is one of my hobbies, too, that’s what the site’s primary remit will be – to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for all enthusiasts of the model. In time they’ll be a forum and other sections and pages, including coverage of the Polo in motorsport. And, with almost as many years under its tyres as I have under my feet, there should be plenty of tales to tell.

While there still may be some Polo-related stories found here, the majority will be over at PoloDriver.com – the new online resource for the Volkswagen Polo. Send press releases and editorial contributions to rich@polodriver.com. Subscribe to the PoloDriver.com news feeds at http://www.polodriver.com/feed/ and catch up with all the latest on the Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/polodrivercom.

Or should that be remade. I was hoping that this segment on the top-rating BBC show would be about reinterpreting this classic Volkswagen TV commercial from 1985 for the Scirocco GTX. Explosions would have been compulsory, and the boys could have got Stig to do the driving…

The reviews are in, the group tests have been conducted, and the new Polo has finally been released for sale in Germany. With advance orders of over 24,000 units before the general public has driven the car, it looks to continue the success of its four predecessors. Volkswagen UK has also confirmed an ‘on sale’ date of 16 October, and released pricing details for the new car.

Available to order now in five-door form only for the time being, the stronger, and safer fifth generation Polo is also more efficient, more refined, and more comfortable than ever. Initially seen at the Geneva Motor Show way back in March, the new model is also the priciest Polo ever, with entry-level 1.2 S models pegged at £10,035. The top of the range 1.6 TDI SEL comes in at £14,910.

It lives up to its upmarket image and heritage then, but, more kit comes as standard, and it’s the most grown-up Polo yet. ESP is standard on all models, and as the car is both lighter and more technologically advanced than the model it replaces, it should offer good value for money and class-leading residual values, long a Polo virtue.

At launch, the new car is available in four flavours with five engines. Three petrol and three diesel can be slotted into S, SE, Moda, and SEL trims, with an ‘A/C’ model exclusively for buyers who are keen on climate control. All models come with four airbags and ABS, with the Moda designed to appeal to a younger audience than the Polo has previously attracted.

Once again bringing many ‘big car’ comforts to small car drivers, the new Polo can be specced with a wide range of optional kit including touchscreen satellite navigation, a DAB digital radio, tyre pressure sensors, and electronic climate control.

The much talked about (and arguably most exciting new Polo) 1.2 TSI turbocharged SEL with 105 PS comes late to the party, though; expect it to swagger in at the turn of the year. 2010 will also see the arrival of the latest GTI and BlueMotion models. The only question that needs asking is, when will the three-door break cover? Ah, that’ll be December.

Continuing the success of the outgoing car (which now dates from 2002 remember), Volkswagen anticipates UK Polo sales of around 7,000 units in 2009, increasing to around 37,000 in 2010.  Full details of the new Polo can be found here; prices below.

S
1.2 60 PS/5 spd manual/£10,035.00
1.2 70 PS/5 spd manual/£10,645.00

S A/C
1.2 60 PS/5 spd manual/£10,635.00
1.2 70 PS/5 spd manual/£11,245.00

Moda
1.2 60 PS/5 spd manual/£11,385.00
1.2 70 PS/5 spd manual/£11,995.00

Moda A/C
1.2 60 PS/5 spd manual/£11,985.00
1.2 70 PS/5 spd manual/£12,595.00

SE
1.2 60 PS/5 spd manual/£11,385.00
1.2 70 PS/5 spd manual/£11,995.00
1.4 85 PS/5 spd manual/£12,450.00
1.4 85 PS/7 spd DSG/£13,650.00

SE TDI
1.6 75 PS/5 spd manual/£13,205.00

SEL
1.4 85 PS/5 spd manual/£13,575.00
1.4 85 PS/7 spd DSG/£14,775.00

SEL TDI
1.6 90 PS/5 spd manual/£14,910.00

It’s an even brighter yellow than the opening sunflowers in the garden, and as small as, well, an old Polo. We’ve got it for a little over a week to test, and although it’s no road burner with only 55bhp, it does have ESP. Quite why, we don’t know; maybe it’s got more power than we think. Whatever, with its sunny demeanour and cheery character, it should be fun finding out.

It’s referred to as the ‘classic car’ in some circles, due to the heightened number of breakdowns it’s had recently, putting its parts on at the most inconvenient time. But, classic car it might be, on Monday night, my 1994 Polo GT was the star of the show. Or our drive at least.

Yes, the exhaust has fallen off recently (Eurovision night to be precise, and more than likely down to perished rubber hangers), resulting in a very noisy journey home from Mark’s, and the cambelt has been changed too in the last few weeks, really as a precautionary measure. In all other respects, though, my faithful motoring companion shows little sign of its 157,000 miles and 15-year life.

It still feels as solid as a modern day Volkswagen (and hewn from granite when compared with its French or Italian contemporaries), and while the paint is starting to show rust freckles in certain areas, I was told on Monday night that ‘Evo Car’ (so-called because of the evo magazine sticker on the back window) was one of the best examples of the breed that Justin had seen.

He came to collect the spare front bumper I sold to him on eBay for £1, and had a G40 which was in the garage being repaired after being shunted by a Volvo. We stood chatting on the drive for around 45 minutes. I’d have offered him and his ferrying friend a cup of tea if I’d known we’d be that long. I don’t get engaged in that long a conversation when we attend Volkswagen events.

It was fun, though, and as we discussed the merits of the Mk1 and Mk 2 Polos, the sun making the light and sky more orange, I realised that maybe the silver shed isn’t quite so bad after all. It’s gone past the stage of economical repair yes, but that doesn’t mean it has to be run into the ground. It’s lucky if it does 6,000 miles a year now, and is quite literally a shopping car these days, but 19-year old Justin was impressed.

Which sometimes, is all that matters. Polo GTs are getting fewer in number, and only last weekend did I read a letter by a similarly pleased GT owner to one of the classic car magazines stating that she thought they are ripe to become a future classic. While that would be nice (and I’d like to agree), the handling and ‘fun factor’ probably isn’t up to the best in class, and the car didn’t get overly rave reviews at the time its tyres first rolled onto tarmac.

But, it’s what it means to us owners that matters most. And as most cars get bigger, heavier, and less individually styled, older cars are appealing to me more. Alongside the Polo, I’d like a metal-bumpered Mk 1 Golf GTI, a BMW 2002, and an Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior/1750 GTV among others. Are classics fantastic? Oh yes.

Another week, another new Polo TV commercial. Volkswagen is clearly pushing the car relentlessly, this spot appearing in the car’s home market launch week in its home market 29 June. Partnering the ‘Neon’ spot that aired around the same time, the young and trendy still feature, with the Polo being the young and trendy transport of choice.

Volkswagen has also launched a technically amazing new configurator for the car. If you’re in Germany, choose your paint and wheels here.