VW Polo 2010 European Car of the Year
December 1, 2009 by Tim Beissmann
Volkswagen Polo unveiled at Geneva" width="480" height="308" />Autocar magazine’s Steve Cropley confirmed that 25 of the 59 jurors selected the Polo as their car of the year.
“This year’s results show that the body of COTY jurors firmly believes that small, economical cars were the best of this year’s crop.
“The Polo is a very complete, very refined car which delivers all the consistent qualities VW has become so well known for,” he said.
Volkswagen Polo unveiled at Geneva" width="480" height="309" />
But Cropley denied that it was a one horse race, with 20 journalists choosing the iQ as their favourite.
“Given its unusual layout, controversial looks and premium price, the iQ did amazingly well, and it was nice to see good support for the Astra, whose maker, GM Europe, was victorious this year with the Insignia executive car.”
Volkswagen chairman of the board of management, Prof Martin Winterkorn, said the company’s second ECOTY win – following the third generation Golf in 1992 – was a deserved result.
“The fifth generation Polo was designed to address customer expectations with even greater uncompromising standards.
“That is why we are naturally very pleased to see our efforts validated in the form of this award,” he said.
Volkswagen Polo unveiled at Geneva" width="480" height="309" />
The Polo officially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and VW confirmed that more than 130,000 Polos have already been ordered worldwide.
The new model comes with a choice of six engines ranging from 44 to 77kW and CO2 emissions from 139 g/km to as low as 96 g/km in the 1.6 TDI BlueMotion.
Another version of the BlueMotion due mid-2010 will use just 3.3 litres/100km and emit a class-leading and hybrid-beating 87 g/km CO2.
VW’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) is available on the baby car for the first time, while the entry-level three-door 1.2 Trendline comes standard with ESC.
VW Australia’s Karl Gehling confirmed that the new Polo will arrive in Australia in the second quarter of next year but would not give specific details on the line-up.
“We haven’t got those details finalised yet, but we expect it will be a similar mix to the current range with petrol and diesel variants.
However he said that VW does not currently have any plans to add the BlueMotion to its local line-up.
Print it: 
44kw, must be a slug
Depends on how much torque that specific engines produces as well. Anyway I’m sure the people in Europe that buy that one probably live in large built up cities and don’t necessarily need it to be much faster/more powerful than it is.
is it just me or are volkswagens just a bit boring?
It’s just you mate, test drive one with out the sales person and you will find out what your missing out.
Let me guess! A mouthful of drivel from the sales person?
Let me gues! A mouthful of drivel from Hung Low? Get a life you retard VW is a great car.
Why is it that you think its OK to call people retards simply because they are expressing their opinions?
Yes a mouthful of drivel. The salesman I had tried to tell me the delay in the diesel’s acceleration from standstill was not because of turbo lag. In my experience VW salespeople are the worst I have ever encountered. They were unhelpful and elitist. They seem to believe their product is so good that it will sell itself. At least that’s the only explanation I can think of as to why they are so useless.
I still bought my VeeDub and love it. If I buy one again, next time will go through an agent to avoid the sales monkeys.
i think car makers should aim for at least 100 kw for 1.5L NA from now on
Why? These versions are econoboxes for people who don’t care about driving fast. The GTI will have a 125kW 1.4 TSI for the boy racers.
Why???
44kw sitting in peak hour traffic in London, Paris, Rome or Sydney is plenty..and the low emissions are perfect for that as well.
Instead of silly comments on how little power or taht cars are too expensive (that you usually make) perhaps you should look at their intended usage and what you get in them. In fact cars in Australia have never been cheaper thatn they are right now!
Spot on! I do not need 150kW when you do average speed around 30km/h! Imagine European cities like Melbourne or Sydney no more than say 15 k radius. I got a Honda Jazz 1.3 liter and I never used max kW. What I need is good torque at low revs. Check your trip computer and you never do average speed over 40km/h. I was reading an article that today Sydney traffic is so bad that in early 1900’s horse carriage was faster than cars in peek hour today!
Except that a few of us also live in rural areas or more spacious cities which aren’t Sydney or Melbourne. We like a few extra KW to assist on those longer drives.
So, buy a bigger or faster car. I don’t think that this
car was aimed at the rural sector. It is an economical
city car. You could get a polo/Golf GTi if you need more
herbs, for those that don’t ,your not paying for performance
that will never be used.
Peek hour is when you get a cheap strip show. Peak hour is when you curse a lot inside your car……….
What a bizarre statement.
It’s like saying all rope makers must make rope to a minimum length. No regard for what it’s constructed of, it’s thickness or strength. It’s chemical resistance ect. In short, no consideration for it’s intended purpose.
What’s the point of 100KW if it has no torque? If it’s only used as a shopping trolley? If it’s intended for super low emissions or high efficiency? If it’s cost prohibitive? If it’s life expectancy or reliability is compromised?
I could go on but think I already have!
It looks a little to korean for my liking. Sort of like a new kia i must admit. just picture the car without the badge…….
It looks a bit Korean because one of VW stylers (Head of design I believe?) has taken over Head of Design Position at Kia. Not the other way around ;)
Correct me if I’m wrong fellows?
Any news on the release date / pricing for this model in Australia?
Is polo and iQ comparable?
No! IQ is nearly 1 meter shorter
It is comparable to VW Up
I still think Volkswagen should have changed the rear lights, it looks ok but this is a whole new design isn’t it? Symbolic of it’s predescesors I know but if the new Golf can ditch most of the old rear light design then why can’t the Polo? Give it wider lights to match the front lights I say, giving it a wider more sporty look, exactly the reason for the Golf’s change.
Back on topic though, I think Volkswagen have finally done a serious job of making the Polo worth the extra price premium over cheaper competatives, if proves to be as reliable and higher quality than them then it will sell like hot cakes in this economic downsizing period (mostly outside Australia).
Been waiting to test the new Polo GTI for a while now and now that ive seen this im even more impressed. For people who need more power this car aint for you. Buy a large sedan.
Yes the rear lights are a bit boring , cant make it to much like the golf , rest is good .
The interior , dash etc very good , nothing out of the east matches this interior in small cars
Well done VAG .
That’s understandable, Polo looks good. Design is nice, specs sounds great and features are competitive.
That would have o be a world first for any car manufacturer to pick up World car & European car of the year within the same year.
VW Polo inadequately specified car. DSG autobox is great. but lifeless steering. However all cars should have proper TPMS showing tyre pressures as fond on Dodge Caliber self dimming rear view mirror, powered back door mirrors & fog lights as standard. |Fully specified car as all new cars have rip-off pricing.