Volkswagen CrossPolo, 2014

 

 Volkswagen CrossPolo, 2014

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the world's best-selling super mini cars with nearly 14 million units produced. Super mini car? At least that is the official name of the Polo class in Germany - in the international jargon of the automotive industry it is the B segment. Whatever the segment name, and regardless of its compact dimensions, attractive prices and good fuel economy values, there is nothing small about the Polo. All the more so now, because a generation of the bestseller is now making its debut which has been significantly updated technically. The new EU-6 engines and the infotainment and assistance systems of the VW Polo, in particular, have now taken enormous strides forward. Consider the engines: the entire engine range was reconfigured. Volkswagen has realised fuel economy improvements of as much as 21 per cent. The new Polo TDI Blue Motion sets a record here; with a combined fuel consumption of 3.2 l/100 km (82 g/km CO2) it is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the planet. The Polo TSI Blue Motion, available starting autumn 2014, also marks the first time that a Volkswagen with a petrol engine is being marketed as an independent Blue Motion model. In this car, 4.1 l/100 km and 94 g/km CO2 set top values.

Convenience and safety overcome class boundaries
The Volkswagen Polo of 2014 also increases its lead over the competition with an impressive range of new convenience and safety functions that is unique in its class. The Polo will also be one of the first compact cars to launch with distinctive LED headlights - also starting autumn 2014. Furthermore, the base model, the Polo Trendline, is equipped with K7 headlights as standard. Another redesigned feature available immediately at market launch are dual round headlights with H7 technology (standard from Polo Comfort line).

A new electro-mechanical servo steering system improves steering properties
Volkswagen also offers the new optional Sport Select suspension - which uses electronically controlled dampers - so that drivers can choose between two tuning characteristics at the press of a button. Many other assistance systems of the Golf class are also making their way into the new Volkswagen Polo. They include the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System (automatically initiates braking after a collision), Driver Alert System, Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The view towards the rear can now be sharpened by the optional Rear Assist rear view camera as well.

Progressive infotainment world
The radio and radio-navigation systems were re-conceptualised; as second generation systems they reflect state-of-the-art technology in what is known as the modular infotainment system (MIB). That is, the software and hardware of these systems follow the infotainment world of the larger Golf, and - depending on the version they may offer functions such as Bluetooth audio streaming (with a smart phone, including cover display and touchscreen control), a proximity sensor (other menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen), two-finger map zooming in navigation mode (like on a smart phone) and interfacing of the mobile phone to the vehicle's exterior antenna by inductive coupling. All four systems can be equipped with digital radio reception (DAB+). In addition, special smart phone apps can be accessed on the touchscreen via Mirror Link.

Launches in spring 2014
Visually, the new Polo can be made out by sharper front and rear designs. Fresh colours, new interior materials and many other equipment details perfect the Volkswagen car. The latest generation Polo will already arrive on the market sometime in the spring o 2014. First deliveries will be in Germany - where, by the way, the car will be offered at the same selling price as the previous model, despite improved features and new technology. Most other European countries will follow immediately thereafter. In Africa and Asia, the successor to the "2010 Car of the Year" will make its debut in the second half of the year. Along with the basic versions (Trend line, Comfort line and High line), the Polo will also be offered again as a GTI, Blue GT, Cross Polo and the mentioned Blue Motion model. As in the debuts of the up! and the Beetle, at the market launch Volkswagen is also introducing an exclusively equipped launch model in Europe: the Polo "Fresh". This high-end limited edition model will be offered in five body colours, with exclusive equipment features and a two-tone interior.

Electro-mechanical steering
The newly developed electro-mechanical steering system is making its debut in the Volkswagen Polo. The compact system was integrated directly into the steering column. The new Polo steering system is distinguished by its very precise and agile response and steering properties, and it decouples roadway bumps very well. The system is operated with a steering gear (worm gear) that is driven by an electric motor.

Sport Select suspension
Volkswagen is offering electronically adjustable dampers in the Polo for the first time. They are the core technology of the new, optional Sport Select suspension. The basic tuning of this suspension is already sporty, but more comfortable than a conventional sport suspension. When the driver presses the "Sport" button (in the upper area of the centre console) this activates an electro-mechanical switching valve in the dampers which switches their tuning from this sporty yet comfort-oriented basic tuning to the stiffer characteristic of a sport suspension.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The system utilises a radar sensor integrated at the front end. The desired vehicle speed can be specified over a range from 30 to 160 km/h. ACC works with either a manual gearbox or with DSG (dual-clutch gearbox). In all Polo cars with DSG, when the vehicle ahead comes to a stop the ACC system comfortably brakes the Polo to a full stop as well. ACC maintains the prescribed vehicle speed together with a preselected distance to the vehicle ahead, and it brakes or accelerates automatically in flowing traffic. Drivers can individually vary the system dynamics by selecting a specific driving programme. If the new Volkswagen Polo is ordered with ACC, it gets the Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system as well as City Emergency Braking. As an alternative, a module that includes Front Assist and City Emergency Braking may be ordered separately, i.e. without ACC.

Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system. Front Assist utilises a radar sensor integrated at the front end to continually monitor the distance traffic moving ahead. Front Assist assists the driver in critical situations by preconditioning the braking system and outputting visual and acoustic warnings to inform the driver. In a second stage, it emphasises the need to react by a short warning jolt of the brake. If the driver brakes with insufficient pressure, the system can generate a braking pressure that is necessary to avoid a collision, which may be significantly higher. If the driver does not react at all, Front Assist brakes automatically - if necessary until the Polo reaches a standstill. The system also assists the driver by warning if there is insufficient distance to the vehicle ahead. One component of Front Assist is City Emergency Braking.

City Emergency Braking
City Emergency Braking is a system extension of Front Assist. It monitors the space in front of the Volkswagen by radar sensor. The system operates at speeds below 30 km/h. If the driver does not react in a situation with an impending collision with a vehicle ahead that is moving or stationary, then the brake system is preconditioned as in Front Assist. If necessary, City Emergency Braking then automatically initiates hard braking to reduce the severity of the accident. In addition, the driver is assisted with maximum braking force if the pedal force by the driver is insufficient.

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
A technological high-light of the new Polo is the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. After a collision, it automatically brakes the vehicle to avoid secondary collisions or reduce their severity. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is triggered when a primary collision has been detected. It assures controlled handling of the car by the driver, even in case of automatic braking. The driver can "override" the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System at any time. The system is deactivated, for instance, if it recognises that the driver is accelerating. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is also deactivated if the driver initiates hard braking with greater deceleration than the system deceleration.

Driver Alert System
The Driver Alert System detects waning concentration of the driver and outputs an acoustic warning for a duration of five seconds, and a message appears in the instrument cluster recommending a break from driving. If the driver does not take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated once.

As much as 21 per cent more fuel efficient with new engines
Volkswagen has set up a new range of efficient petrol and diesel engines. This makes the latest generation of the two-door and four-door bestseller even more economical on the road. An example: fuel consumption of the 90-PS diesel version with DSG was reduced by 21 per cent. All engines fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard; in addition, all versions are available with a stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode (standard from 66 kW / 90 PS).

New petrol engines
All petrol engines offered in Europe were converted to new three- and four-cylinder versions. 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 - in the version with a stop-start system and regenerative braking - were reduced from 5.5 l/100 km and 128 g/km CO2 to 4.6 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 90-PS engine of the new Polo 1.0 TSI BlueMotion - the first one-litre three-cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine in this model series. It consumes just 4.1 l/100 km and emits 94 g/km CO2. The previous model with an identical power output of 90 PS consumed 4.9 l/100 km (equating to 113 g/km CO2).