The 5th generation Polo. Click to enlarge.

Volkswagen unveiled the fifth generation of the supermini Polo at the Geneva Motor Show. Despite improvements in all aspects of the car, Volkswagen was able to reduce the Polo’s body weight by 7.5%.

The introduction of new TDI and TSI engines, as well as the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG), has resulted in reduced fuel consumption and emissions over a wide range of engine power outputs. As an example, the 1.2 TSI turbocharged four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine produces 77 kW (103 hp), while consuming 5.5 L/100km (43 mpg US), with 129 g/km CO₂. This is 19% less than on the equivalent model of the previous generation.

Volkswagen will offer seven engines on the new Polo during its first year of production—four gasoline and three diesels. Five of these engines are brand new or are being used for the first time in the Polo; three of them can be paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) as an option instead of the manual 5-speed or 6-speed transmission. The gasoline engines, two three-cylinder and two four-cylinder engines, sport a power range extending from 44 kW (59 hp) to 77 kW (103 hp). New to the lineup are the two strongest gasoline engines, the 1.4 liter with 63 kW (84 hp) and the 1.2 TSI noted above, shifted by a standard 6-speed transmission.

Also new to the Polo are all three common rail turbo-diesels. These high-torque four-cylinder engines produce between 55 kW (74 hp) and 77 kW (103 hp). A Polo BlueMotion model will also join the range shortly after launch.

Powered by a 1.6-liter 66 kW (89 hp) TDI common rail diesel engine and linked to a five-speed gearbox with lengthened ratios in third, fourth and fifth, the new BlueMotion offers average fuel consumption of 3.8 L/100km (62 mpg US) and 96 g/km CO₂—bettering the outgoing Polo BlueMotion model which is itself one of the most fuel efficient vehicles currently on sale.

In 2010, the second generation BlueMotion will follow. Shown as a concept car at Geneva, and equipped with an all-new 1.2-liter three-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 75 PS, the BlueMotion II will be capable of fuel consumption of 3.3 L/100km (71 mpg US) on the combined cycle while generating 87 g/km of CO₂. Making this possible is a package of modifications including the new engine, automatic Stop-Start and regenerative braking, a gearbox with revised ratios, optimized aerodynamics beneath the vehicle, suspension lowered by 15 mm and the fitment of low rolling resistance tires.

Start of production of the five-door Polo is scheduled for the end of March. This will be followed, starting in the last week in June, by the market launch of the visually and technically advanced new edition of the million unit bestseller in Germany. Two weeks later, Volkswagen will begin selling the car across mainland Europe, then to other international markets.