WOLFSBURG: At first glance, all you see is a few design touch-ups. There's not even any new engine options. Just another token facelift? It's only when you look at the changes made to the assistance systems that you notice what's special about the new VW Polo.
The latest version of Volkswagen's small runabout is set to arrive mid-2021, and will be recognisable by its new bumpers and standard LED lights at the front and rear.
But this update wouldn't be worth writing about if it weren't for the new assistance systems.
The Polo is now set to become one of the first cars in its class to enable semi-automated driving thanks to electronic distance control and active lane guidance, VW has announced.
VW hasn't given prices or performance figures, but has noted a few other changes. There's a modernised cockpit, which is now equipped with digital instruments in further variants and on request you can also get the Polo with matrix lights for the first time.
Only under the bonnet has nothing changed. According to VW, there will be four petrol engines and one natural gas engine on offer, at least in the short-to-medium term.
The base model comes with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 80hp, followed by 95hp or 110hp options from a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-pot mill and a natural gas option with 90hp.
The Polo GTI is expeected in the summer.
Meanwhile, the Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline equipment packages are gone. Volkswagen has reconfigured the specification packages: it now starts with the Polo version, and continues with Life, Style and R-Line.
