Volkswagen's new Polo unveiled

The fifth generation of the Volkswagen Polo has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, 34 years after the original went on sale in the UK.

Weighing 7.5 per cent less than the last model, the new Polo has an advanced safety system and new construction standards to meet the criteria for the recently introduced five-star EuroNCAP standard.

Designed by a team led by Walter de Silva, head of design at Volkswagen Group, the fifth generation Polo has a whole new look, and size.

At 3,952 mm in length the new Polo is 36 mm longer than the car it replaces. Its width, at 1,682 mm, has also grown by 32 mm, yet the overall height has dropped by 13 mm to 1,454 mm. These slightly larger dimensions and a longer wheelbase mean there's greater space inside the new Polo.

Inside, Volkswagen have spruced up the interior with the option of a handy air conditioned glovebox and an easily accessed connection point for an MP3 player. Also, for the first time on a Polo, the RNS 310 touchscreen satellite navigation system can be specified along with a three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel.

The new Polo is powered by a mix of 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines as well as a new turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI petrol unit and 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel engine. All are equipped with either five- or six-speed manual gearboxes as standard.

A Polo BlueMotion model will also join the range shortly after launch.

New standard safety equipment on the Polo includes four airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ISOFIX anchor points; all fitted as standard.

Production of the new Polo for the UK market starts this summer, with first deliveries taking place in October. Prices will be announced nearer this time.