The current generation of the Volkswagen Polo still has a few more years to go but with the pace of technology nowadays, the model has been given a comprehensive update in design, technologies and specification matrix. The styling changes are evolutionary, and bring the model’s appearance in line with the latest look as seen in the Golf 8.
Some of the technologies for the new Polo are trickled down from models further up in the Volkswagen range. IQ.DRIVE (an optional feature) will be available for the first time in the Polo class and, together with the new predictive Travel Assist Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist (first seen in the Passat), will give the driver partial automated driving.
IQ Drive with Travel Assist
IQ Drive is Volkswagen’s name for its collection of advanced driver assistance systems and the ID.4 EV is the first model with it. The systems support the driver in everyday situations such as parking, leaving a parking space (Park Assist) or lane changing (Lane Assist) and help prevent accidents (Front Assist with City Emergency Brake function). It includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.
Another area of advancement in the Polo is the lighting system which will be upgraded to new IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights. These use an interactive lighting system which was first offered in the Touareg. LEDs are also used for the tail light units, providing quicker illumination and longer service life as well as low electricity consumption.
Wider range of standard equipment
There will be various versions available and in Europe, these will consist of the standard, Life, Style and R-Line. Even the entry-level version will have a significantly wider range of standard equipment. In addition, Volkswagen has now incorporated the Digital Cockpit (digital instruments with an 8.0-inch display) into the basic equipment.
Premium features available will include a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro (including image of caller, Coverflow, map view and Slide Show), background lighting and the 8-inch Infotainment system Ready2Discover, which includes App-Connect Wireless. With Ready2Discover, customers have the option of retrofitting the navigation system as a feature on demand.
Polo R-Line
The sporty Polo R-Line will have a highly individual exterior with exclusive bumpers. The front bumper has high-gloss black cross and longitudinal bars of the air intakes and their surround. A diffuser – also in high-gloss black – with chrome-look integrated exhaust panels is fitted to the lower part of the car’s rear.
In the safety area, a new addition is the centre airbag. Located on the driver’s side on the side of the rear seat backrest, this airbag opens toward the centre in the event of an accident. The purpose is to provide cushioning to protect the driver and front passenger during side impacts when the forces may cause them to collide.
No mention is made of powertrains so it can be assumed that Volkswagen will maintain the current choices which have displacement of 1 litre (3-cylinder), 1.4 litres, 1.5 litres, 1.6 litres (petrol and diesel) and, in certain markets, a 2-litre unit. Depending on the market, there should be manual and DSG automatic transmissions.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about the models available in Malaysia.
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