Volkswagen has set up a new range of efficient petrol and diesel engines. So the new Polo is on the road with even greater fuel efficiency. An example: fuel consumption of the 70 kW / 95 PS TSI (version with DSG) was reduced by 21 percent compared to the retired Polo version with a 90-PS TSI and DSG. In addition, all engines fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard; and all versions are also available with a Stop/Start system and a regenerative braking mode (standard from 66 kW / 90 PS).
New petrol engines.
MPI and TSI. All petrol engines offered in Europe were converted to new three- and four-cylinder versions that are either completely new or used in the Polo for the first time. The power levels at market launch are: 44 kW / 60 PS (indirect injection / MPI), 55 kW / 75 PS (MPI), 66 kW / 90 PS (direct injection / TSI) and 81 kW / 110 PS (TSI). Fuel consumption and emissions of the entry-level engine with 60 PS could be reduced from 5.5 l/100 km and, in the version with Stop/Start system and regenerative braking, 128 g/km CO2 to 4.7 l/100 km and 106 g/km CO2. Another prime example of efficiency, which will make its debut during the second half of the year, is the new 95-PS engine (70 kW) of the Polo 1.0 TSI BlueMotion – the first one-litre three-cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine in the model range. It consumes just 4.1 l/100 km and emits 94 g/km CO2.
BlueGT and GTI to follow. Just like before, there will be a BlueGT version with automatic cylinder shut-off (ACT: active cylinder management) for the petrol engine versions of the new Polo over the course of the year; the engine now generates 110 kW / 150 PS instead of the previous 103 kW / 140 PS. There are also firm plans for a new Polo GTI. Here engine power is boosted from 132 kW / 180 PS to 141 kW / 192 PS. All the petrol engines immediately on offer for the European market launch of the Polo – as well as the new 1.0 TSI and 1.4 TDI of the Polo BlueMotion and the 1.4 TSI of the Polo BlueGT – in detail:
1.0 MPI with output of 44 kW / 60 PS. The entry-level engines generate exactly 44 kW / 60 PS (between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm) from 999 cm3; the maximum torque of 95 Nm is available between 3,000 and 4,300 rpm. In the base version, the car's combined fuel consumption is 5.0 l/100 km (equivalent to 114 g/km CO2). In the version with BlueMotion technology (Stop/Start system and regenerative braking), it's 4.7 l/100 km and 106 g/km. The Polo 1.0 MPI with 60 PS accelerates to 100 km/h in 15.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 161 km/h.
1.0 MPI with output of 55 kW / 75 PS. The stronger version of the 1.0-litre engine has the same displacement and same dimensions for bore (74.5 mm) and stroke (76.4 mm). The improved power is achieved through a modification of engine control. Accordingly, the maximum power of 55 kW / 75 PS is available at 6,200 rpm. The maximum torque of 95 Nm is identical. On average, the 75-PS engine requires 5.1 l/100 km (116 g of CO2/km) on average. The BlueMotion Technology version (with Stop/Start system and regenerative braking) consumes 4.8 l/100 km (emissions: 108 g/km CO2). The Polo with an output of 75 PS has a top speed of 173 km/h and completes the sprint up to 100 km/h in 14.3 seconds.
1.2 TSI with output of 66 kW / 90 PS. All petrol cars of the Polo from 90 PS upwards are equipped with turbo direct injection engines (TSI) as well as versions of BlueMotion Technology with Stop/Start system as standard. The currently smallest TSI engine for the market launch outputs 66 kW / 90 PS at 4,900 rpm. The combined fuel consumption of the 1.2 TSI is as low as 4.7 l/100 km (107 g/km CO2). Turbocharging boosts the torque at this power level to 160 Nm (over the range 1,400 to 3,500 rpm). And that is clearly experienced as a gain in agile performance. The 90 PS powered Polo 1.2 TSI has a top speed of 184 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds. At this power level, the new Polo can also be ordered with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). Except for the CO2 value, all relevant values are the same.
1.0 TSI with output of 70 kW / 95 PS. For the first time, there will be an independent Volkswagen BlueMotion model with petrol engine in the second half of the year: the new Polo TSI BlueMotion. The drive – a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine – is a completely newly developed engine that will make its debut later this year. The three-cylinder engine generates a powerful 70 kW / 95 PS. With a fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 94 g/km CO2, the Polo TSI BlueMotion sets new top values in the segment of five-seaters with petrol engines.
1.2 TSI with output of 81 kW / 110 PS. At 110 PS, the new Polo attains a fuel consumption value of 4.8 l/100 km (equivalent to 110 g/km CO2). The maximum power of this engine is available at 5,000 rpm; the TSI outputs its maximum torque of 175 Nm between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. At this power level, the Polo 1.2 TSI has a top speed of 196 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds. As an alternative to the standard 6-speed gearbox, this engine can also be ordered with a 7-speed DSG; in this case, the consumption drops to 4.7 l/100 km (109 g/km CO2).
1.4 TSI with output of 110 kW / 150 PS. As of now, the 1.4 litre TSI of the Polo BlueGT produces 110 kW / 150 PS (previously: 103 kW / 140 PS). Its maximum torque is 250 Nm and is available from just 1,500 rpm. The power is sent towards the front wheels via a 6-speed gearbox or optional 7-speed gearbox. Driving through the manual gearbox, the Polo BlueGT has a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.8 l/100 km (110 g/km CO2). With the 7-speed DSG, consumption is reduced further to 4.7 l/100 km (108 g/km CO2). This fuel efficiency contrasts with a 10 km/h boost in top speed, which is now 220 km/h. The outstanding technical feature of the BlueGT engine is the active cylinder management (ACT). The temporary deactivation of the second and third cylinders under low and medium load conditions reduces the consumption in the EU driving cycle by 0.3 l/100 km. Fuel savings amount to as much as 1.0 l/100 km when driving at constant speed.
New diesel engines.
TDI. As with the petrol engines, the diesel turbo direct injection engines are also new on board the Polo. The three-cylinder TDI generate their power from a 1.4-litre displacement (previously 1.2 and 1.6 litres) and are equipped with Stop/Start system as standard. The power range is identical to the previous model: 55 kW / 75 PS, 66 kW / 90 PS and 77 kW / 105 PS. The versions with 75 and 90 PS are already on the market; the 105-PS version will follow with a schedule offset.
Common rail and balancer shaft. The new three-cylinder engines offer very good comfort properties. For one, common rail injection scores big in this context. Secondly, Volkswagen has also realised very quiet engine acoustics and very low vibration by the type of engine mounts used, a balancer shaft and a dual-mass flywheel. An innovatively designed engine cover and special auxiliary shell for the oil pan likewise contribute towards further reducing acoustic emissions. Exhaust emissions and consumption values have also been further reduced. The 75-PS Polo TDI BlueMotion is again pioneeringly fuel efficient: starting from an already extremely ambitious 3.4 l/100 km, Volkswagen was able to lower the values to 3.1 l/100 km (equal to: from 88 g/km CO2 to 82 g/km). But the two TDI offered immediately with the market launch also set a benchmark in terms of minimum consumption:
1.4 TDI with output of 55 kW / 75 PS. It is quite interesting to compare the properties of the new 1.4 TDI with those of the retired 1.2 TDI. Increasing displacement to 1.4 litres leads to significantly improved drive-off torque and results in more harmonious torque and power curves. Even in the 75-PS version (55 kW), a powerful 210 Nm of peak torque is already available at a low 1,500 rpm. The three-cylinder engine generates its maximum power between 3,000 and 3,750 rpm. With this engine, the Polo has a top speed of 173 km/h. The "little" Polo completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds. As mentioned before, this is offset by a combined fuel consumption of only 3.4 l/100 km. The engine is even more fuel-efficient on board the Polo BlueMotion, which is consistently geared to efficiency: air drag is reduced in the BlueMotion versions by the modified underbody, burnished radiator grille insert and an aerodynamically perfected front spoiler. Tyres optimised for low rolling resistance also contribute to the revolutionary fuel-consumption values. In this case, the engine consumes only 3.1 l/100 km (equivalent to 82 g/km CO2), making this Polo the most fuel-efficient five-seat diesel car in the world. The theoretical range of the Polo TDI BlueMotion that comes with a 45-litre tank and manual five-speed gearbox amounts to 1,400 kilometres – a non-stop drive from Flensburg near Denmark to Venice, Italy.
1.4 TDI with output of 66 kW / 90 PS. Especially noteworthy is the excellent progress made in the Polo TDI with 90 PS. This new model also has a fuel consumption of only 3.4 l/100 km (88 g/km CO2). The "big" Polo TDI has a top speed of 184 km/h. This pioneeringly fuel-efficient Volkswagen completes the classic sprint to 100 km/h in a short 10.9 seconds.
Gearboxes
5-speed, 6-speed and 7-speed. The new Polo will be delivered with precisely switchable and well graduated 5-speed gearboxes as standard. In the case of the 1.2 TSI with 110 PS and the 1.4 TSI of the BlueGT with 150 PS, a 6-speed gearbox is deployed. The optional 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) of the Polo provides an optimum of efficiency, dynamics and comfort. For the market launch, it is offered for the two most powerful TSI engines (90 and 110 PS) as well as the 90-PS TDI. Through various individual parameters, characteristics and maps, the automatically switching gearbox can be tuned to the different engines.
Running gear
McPherson and twist beam suspension. The running gear is based on the basic layout of McPherson front axle and twist beam rear suspension. Of course, the ESC electronic stabilisation programme is included in the Polo as standard. Numerous other electronic modules are networked to it, e.g. anti-lock braking system (ABS), hill start assistant, anti-slip regulation (ASR), engine drag torque regulation (MSR), electronic differential locks (EDS) and torque vectoring (XDS+). Also standard is the tyre pressure monitoring indicator (RKA) for monitoring the pressure of the tyres.