Press Release
The New Polo - Interior
Perfection in Ergonomics and Quality
Interior brings new level of quality to the supermini class
New cockpit in the five-seater has decidedly driver-oriented ergonomics
Wolfsburg / Sardinia, 11 May 2009
All Volkswagens are known for their intuitive user controls and excellent ergonomic properties – regardless of the proportions of their driver and passengers. These are clearly properties of the new Polo too. The entire interior was redesigned. Starting with the "Comfortline", the surface of the instrument panel is upgraded by so-called slush technology (a high-end surface structure that is soft to the touch). The lower cabin section as well as door inserts and interior trim panels may be ordered in either "Anthracite" or "Seashell".
Driver-oriented ergonomics
Noteworthy here is the center console that is now turned more toward the driver for convenience. The controls on this console are laid out as on the previous model, but they have been completely redesigned. At the very top there are two central air vents, which have high-end bezels in aluminum look from the "Comfortline" up ("Trendline": high-gloss black). On the console level below this, Polo drivers will find a familiar row of switches with details like the hazard lights switch, which is readily accessible and visible, and push buttons for the heated rear window and optional heated seats. The next level down contains controls for the new radio and radio-navigation systems that are all being introduced on the Polo for the first time. Top of the line equipment here is the RNS 310 – a radio-navigation system with touchscreen, multimedia interface (MEDIA-IN), MP3 functionality (via CD, DVD or SD card) and AUX-IN socket on its front panel. The RNS 310 may also be upgraded to include a hands-free telephone unit.
Finally, the lowermost console level is home to the completely redesigned user controls for the ventilation or climate control system ("Climatic" is standard equipment starting on the Comfortline). A practical feature here is optional cooling of the glove box. Also integrated here: a sunglasses compartment, deactivation switch for the front passenger’s airbag and – if included as options – switches for the tire monitoring indicator (air pressure monitoring) and an MP3 port. The vehicle service book is stored in a space-saving storage slot at the base of the glove box.
White instrument backlighting
The instruments of the Polo were also redesigned; they now have white backlighting and are styled like those on the Golf. The fuel gauge is digital in the new generation Polo. Like the bezels for the air vents, the rotary light switch – still located on the left – gets a high-end metallic look from the "Comfortline" up.
Similar to other new models of the Volkswagen brand, new three-spoke steering wheels were developed for the Polo. The top version sports a leather steering wheel that is somewhat more compact than on the Golf. An optional multifunctional leather steering wheel (with user controls in the left spoke) will be offered too. Making a decidedly ergonomic impression are the armrests in the door trim panels (with storage bin for a 1.5 liter bottle) and a front center armrest (folding with storage compartment) that can now be ordered on the Polo for the first time.
More space at all seating positions
The driver’s seat, front passenger’s seat and rear bench seat were all redesigned. More space is now offered at all five seating locations in the Polo. In particular, knee room in the rear has grown with an increase in the interior length to 1,674 millimeters (+8 millimeters). Shoulder room in front (1,372 millimeters) has also increased by 22 millimeters. Thanks to these new dimensions, the new Polo offers a considerably more spacious interior ambiance. The Polo also proves to be very versatile: Folding the rear bench seat (with standard 60:40 split starting on the "Comfortline") is very simple; the car then offers a level cargo surface with the dual cargo floor that is standard equipment from the "Comfortline" up. The dual cargo floor can be mounted at two different heights.
