Polo Mark IV Gets New Face

From October next year the fourth generation of the VW Polo hits the streets, not only slightly bigger than the present Polo, but totally re-styled with a nose looking somewhat like a marriage between its smaller cousin, the Lupo, and its larger brother, the Golf. In fact, it shares the same platform as the Skoda Fabia, but from the base up it's a whole new Polo.

The New Polo MkIV

Engines will start at a frugal 1.2 litre (75 bhp), rising to 1.4 litres (100 bhp) in both eight and sixteen valve versions. The top of the range Polo GTi receives the 180 bhp 1.8 litre turbo as seen in the Audi TT. In keeping with VWs efficient diesel engines there will be 1.4 and 1.9 litre diesel engines and a 1.9 litre turbo diesel model.

Prices should start at around £8000 for the entry level model to about £16000 for the GTi. Apparently there were plans to have a super GTi sporting a 2.3 litre V5 engine, but found this made the nose too heavy.

The redesigned nose apart, from the side the Polo looks more purposeful, while its new profile makes it more streamlined. Inside the model gains a redesigned and more luxurious dash and a quieter interior cabin. Options include wider alloys, Xenon headlamps and rain sensitive windscreen wipers (I just want wipers that work on the Beetle - ed) -both options mentioned in last months report on the New beetle VR5.

Both 3 and 5 door versions will be available, while VW plans a Coupe version in 2003. Also ; by 2002 VW company SEAT will use the platform the next generation Ibiza; which will obviously undercut its German cousin.

Side View

Its looks a much nicer car and gives the Lupo a distinct identity, away from the more serious Golf and towards its friendly faced fellow VW model ; the Lupo ; in fact you could say the Polo has been Lupoed.

all Volkswagen Group communications and photos reproduced with permission of Volkswagen UK