Introduction of the VW Polo Facelift: The Car!

It was already clear at the pre-premiere that the Polo with the facelift would make a huge leap forward. Where VW recently cut back on the Golf and ID.3, they are now putting all that back into the Polo, meaning: All surfaces in the interior of all models are foamed, electric windows for everyone, climate control and LED lights are standard, as well as the fully digital cockpit. And all this in a compact length of just over four meters with enough space for four and a decent 351-liter trunk for its class. All of this starts at not quite cheap rates of "under 16,000 euros" and is thus close to what could be called "the car" in Europe, that is, "the ultimate car."

More safety equipment and a center airbag

As a novelty in its class, the new Polo can be ordered with the already mentioned "IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist" upon request. This includes merging the new predictive "ACC" (automatic distance control) and the lane-keeping assistant "Lane Assist" into a new assistance system, enabling semi-automated driving up to 210 km/h. In this case, the new and standard multifunction steering wheel is equipped with capacitive surfaces; they register that the driver is touching the steering wheel with their hands when "IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist" is active. This is required in level 2 of automated driving in the EU. By the way, every Polo is equipped as standard with assistance systems like the "Front Assist" environment monitoring system including City Emergency Braking function and now also with "Lane Assist." New is also a center airbag between the two front occupants and a belt pretensioner that additionally tightens the seatbelt in the pelvic area.

New Equipment Matrix: Many Versions, All with Greatly Expanded Standard Features

The new models are now called "Polo," "Life," "Style," "R-Line," and "GTI." The trim lines have been newly conceived and configured. Volkswagen has reorganized them, made them more straightforward, and integrated the features that most buyers already favored as standard. From now on, the configurator will start with the "Polo" version, followed by "Life," "Style," and "R-Line." The market launch of these versions will begin in the spring of 2021. Additionally, there will be a "GTI" version of the Polo again.

The "Digital Cockpit" (digital instruments with an 8.0-inch display) has been included in the standard equipment. Also now generally standard are the air conditioning system, the "Composition Media" audio system with a 6.5-inch monitor, a Bluetooth phone interface, and the electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors. The top version of the LED taillights is technically characterized by an animated indicator function (sweeping effect) and a switching function of the LEDs when braking ("click-clack effect"); this switching is intended to make the brake light even more noticeable.

No Revolution: Four Efficient Three-Cylinders for Market Launch

The gasoline engines available at market launch produce 59 kW (80 PS), 70 kW (95 PS), and 81 kW (110 PS). The 70-kW engine will optionally be available with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), and the 81-kW engine as standard. Additionally, there will be a 1.0 TGI version of the Polo again, with a monovalent natural gas/petrol drive. The 1.0 TGI delivers 66 kW (90 PS). All engines available at market launch are three-cylinders with a displacement of 999 cm³; starting from 70 kW, they are equipped with a turbocharger.

What does this mean?

The Polo enters its second life stage more colorful and refined after the facelift. VW has modified and upgraded it in the right places. It's good to see that the natural gas version is back. Otherwise, large electrification efforts are avoided, leaving that to the eUp and later the ID.1 and ID.2.