The New VW Polo Saloon - Market Launch

VW Polo Saloon

Market launch in Germany on 17th October 2003

October 31, 2003 4:27 PM
Filed Under: Volkswagen

Press Release

The new Polo Saloon - Market launch in Germany on 17th October 2003

In Short
Volkswagen's Polo is the most successful compact car on the German market. And now, as of 17th October, the range available to the buying public has been extended by the addition of another model, the redesigned Polo Saloon. This spacious four-door saloon (length: 4.18 m) is characterised by a decidedly powerful design. As the design of the fully galvanised body is fully original from the B-pillar back, this has created an extremely homogenous appearance. From the side view, the window line rises gently towards the rear, thus creating a dynamic impression. The roof section is characterised by a curvature typical of Volkswagen. In the region of the strikingly modulated C-pillar, the large rear window, reaching comparatively far into the boot, creates coupé-like traits. The boot lid itself continues this gently flowing line. Viewed directly from behind, the design of the Polo Saloon is dominated by the large, horizontally divided rear lights and an elegantly drafted tail end. The extra 28 centimetres of length (!) compared with the hatchback versions is entirely for the benefit of the rear passengers and the 432 litre boot. When the 1/3-2/3 split rear seat fitted as standard in the Comfortline version folded down, the storage volume expands to 1127 litres. The Polo Saloon is available in two attractive equipment and trim versions (Basis and Comfortline) and with four different engine options. The Basis version uses the familiar 1.4 litre, four-valve engine delivering 55 kW / 75 hp. This engine can be combined with an automatic gearbox if required. Volkswagen also offers a second petrol version in the form of a particularly agile 1.4 litre engine delivering 74 kW / 100 hp. Both engines meet the EU-4 exhaust emissions standard, giving them a tax advantage in Germany. Alongside these there are also two engines available with diesel direct injection. Tried and tested: the 1.9 SDI delivering 47 kW / 64 hp. Particularly innovative: the 1.4 TDI with pump-nozzle technology and 55 kW / 75 hp; the turbo-diesel meets the EU-4 standard, just like the petrol versions, and hence also benefits from a tax advantage. The SDI meets the EU-3 standard. Even the Basis version of the new Polo Saloon is comprehensively equipped. Standard equipment includes such things as body colour bumpers, a roof aerial, green-tinted, heat-reflective glass, central locking, electric windows in the front and rear, high-quality seat covers, vanity mirrors in the sun visors, steering column with adjustable rake and reach, plenty of storage compartments and electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering. The high-quality, torsionally rigid body, innovative chassis design and standard features such as ABS, front and side airbags (passenger airbag can be disabled), as well as Isofix fittings to take appropriate child seats, provide a very high standard in terms of both passive and active safety. The 1.4 Polo Saloon (74 kW / 100 hp) is also supplied with ESP as standard (optional on all other versions).

The New VW Polo Saloon - Market Launch

Bodywork

The new Polo Saloon – Fully galvanised, spacious and safe 432 litres of boot space and plenty of room for the rear passengers The design of the Polo Saloon is completely original from the B-pillar back The spacious Polo Saloon is characterised by a decidedly powerful design. As the design of the fully galvanised body is fully original from the B-pillar back, this has created an extremely homogenous appearance. From the side view, the window line rises gently towards the rear, thus creating a dynamic impression. The roof section is characterised by a curvature typical of Volkswagen. In the region of the strikingly modulated C-pillar, the large rear window, reaching comparatively far into the boot, creates coupé-like traits. The boot lid itself continues this gently flowing line. Viewed directly from behind, the design of the Polo Saloon is dominated by the large, horizontally divided rear lights and an elegantly drafted tail end. The Polo Saloon's body panels are fully galvanised. Not least for that reason, Volkswagen provides a 12-year guarantee against rust penetration. But the immensely strong body is not just resistant to corrosion. It also provides ideal protection in the event of an accident as a result of its safety structure, which has been optimised in crash tests. The engineers at Volkswagen have also placed a great deal of importance on making the car perfectly repair-friendly. In terms of dimensions, the saloon corresponds to the hatchback versions, although it is 28 centimetres longer. To be precise, the new version with the boot is 4179 mm long, 1650 mm wide and 1465 mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2460 mm.

Interior

The new Polo Saloon – Top-quality sophistication in the compact class Perfectly designed cockpit and ergonomic front seats, as in the hatchback version The rear of the Polo Saloon has been redesigned, offering even more space Today more than ever, Volkswagen represents premium values in every class. The new Polo Saloon illustrates this in its interior by means of its innovative structure, high-quality materials, clear symmetry and perfect ergonomics. In addition to which there is even more space in the boot of the Polo Saloon thanks to the extra 28 centimetres of body length. The overall length of the interior is 1666 mm. The Polo Saloon holds its greatest surprise in store for anyone getting in for the first time. After you close the doors there is some uncertainty about the class of vehicle that you have just got into. The reasons for this are the good spatial proportions, the generously designed seating, the clearly structured cockpit with round, silver-rimmed instruments, the ergonomic arrangement of the controls, the quality of the materials and details such as the chrome door handles. Another feature that recommends the Polo Saloon is the comfort of its seats, even over long distances. In order to permit every single driver to achieve his or her ideal seating position from an ergonomic point of view, both the rake and reach of the chunky four-spoke steering wheel can be adjusted as standard to the perfect position by means of the locks on the steering column. The usual flexibility is available in the boot of the new saloon. In its standard configuration it provides 432 litres of storage space. If you completely fold down the standard, asymmetrically divided rear seat you can load up to 1127 litres of luggage. The Polo Saloon also offers plenty of storage space in the passenger compartment thanks to the wide variety of places to put things. In addition to the glove compartment, it has pockets under the dashboard, on the dashboard, in the doors, in the centre console and – from the Comfortline equipment level upwards – in the rear centre armrest and under the front seats. The cockpit of the new Polo Saloon is also notable for its uncluttered clarity. The centre control panel on the dashboard itself has been positioned relatively high up in order to make operation of the controls as simple and ergonomic as possible. Right at the top there are two ventilation apertures, below them a row of controls with the switch for the hazard warning lights built into the centre, and below that the radio. It is all rounded off by an extremely logically constructed and easily comprehensible heating and ventilation control system.

The New VW Polo Saloon - Market Launch

Engines

The new Polo Saloon – Economical petrol and diesel engines The petrol engines in the Polo Saloon deliver 55 kW / 75 hp and 74 kW / 100 hp The 47 kW / 64 hp SPI is an entry level diesel; the innovative TDI delivers 55 kW / 75 hp The Polo Saloon is available with four different engines. The Basis version uses the familiar 1.4 litre, four-valve engine delivering 55 kW / 75 hp. This engine can be combined with an automatic gearbox if required. Volkswagen also offers a second petrol version in the form of a 1.4 litre engine delivering 74 kW / 100 hp. Both engines meet the EU-4 exhaust emissions standard, giving them a tax advantage in Germany. Alongside these there are also two engines available with diesel direct injection. Tried and tested: the 1.9 SDI delivering 47 kW / 64 hp. Particularly innovative: the 1.4 TDI with pump-nozzle technology and 55 kW / 75 hp; the turbo-diesel meets the EU-4 standard, and hence also benefits from a tax advantage. 1.4 delivering 55 kW / 75 hp: This free-revving four-cylinder petrol engine delivers maximum power at 5000 rpm and above. Maximum torque amounting to 126 Nm is available from as low as 3800 rpm. The engine is outstanding for its lively power curve, thanks to the carefully perfected geometry of the inlet manifold, and combustion chambers with low part-load fuel consumption. Even in the overall average, just 6.4 litres of super unleaded flow through its fuel pipes every one hundred kilometres. The 1.4 Polo Saloon's maximum speed is 172 km/h (107 mph). This agile SI engine can also be ordered with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Its top speed is then 168 km/h (105 mph). The manual version accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 13.3 seconds, and the automatic takes 15.6 seconds. As in the case of all the petrol engines and the TDI in the Polo Saloon, the 75 hp version also meets the EU-4 standard. 1.4 delivering 74 kW / 100 hp: The more powerful four-cylinder petrol engine in the Polo Saloon is technically closely related to the 55 kW model. The 74 kW Polo Saloon reaches a respectable top speed of 188 km/h (117 mph) but consumes on average only 6.6 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometres (53.6 mpg). The increase in performance has been achieved primarily as a result of charge-cycle optimisation. This means that on the inlet side the 74 kW version has a throttle flap of enlarged cross-section and a modified plastic inlet pipe, in which the length and cross section of the resonance tube have been adjusted to match the higher performance and engine speed requirements. Along with expanded inlet and exhaust manifolds and a higher lift camshaft, the end result of this is increased airflow. Both engines share exhaust gas recirculation, which is particularly effective in reducing fuel consumption in the partial load range. 1.4 TDI delivering 55 kW / 75 hp: This 1422 cc, three-cylinder turbo diesel with direct injection meets the EU-4 standard just like the petrol engines. In order to satisfy this emissions standard, the engine has been subjected to comprehensive technical modifications for its use in the Polo Salon, including a compact turbocharger. In addition to some fine tuning to the combustion process achieved by means of changes in the combustion chambers, the contour of the valves and the injector geometry, the engineers met the EU-4 standard by, among other things, introducing entirely new elements for this engine, including for example an EGR cooler (for exhaust gas recirculation) and an electrically operated control flap. The electronic engine management system has also been adapted by means of new mappings. Finally, there is a particularly fast reacting oxidisation catalytic converter (using thin-wall technology) to produce clean emissions figures. But the TDI version of the Polo Saloon is not just economical and environmentally friendly. It also gets on with the job with great gusto. On reaching 2200 rpm the engine is already developing its maximum torque amounting to 195 Nm. The TDI pushes the Polo Saloon to a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph), takes it from a standing start to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 14.1 seconds and sips just 4.5 litres of diesel for every 100 km (78.6 mpg). In the extra-urban cycle the consumption drops as low as the 4 litre mark (88.5 mpg). 1.9 SDI delivering 47 kW / 64 hp. The SDI, a direct injection engine without a turbo, is happy on just 4.8 litres of diesel for every 100 km (73.8 mpg) and enables speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph). On the emissions front it meets the EU-3 standard. Volkswagen is offering it in the Polo Saloon – as in the case of the other bodywork variations in the model series – as a cost-effective entry-level diesel, frequently used by commercial operators.

The New VW Polo Saloon - Market Launch

Standard equipment / Options

The new Polo Saloon – Consistently safe and comfortable The Polo Saloon is offered in Basis and Comfortline equipment and trim levels Even the Basis version has ABS, four airbags and electric windows The new Polo Saloon is offered in a Basis version and in the more sophisticated Comfortline version. Even the Basis version is comprehensively equipped. Standard equipment includes such things as body colour bumpers, a roof aerial, green-tinted, heat-reflective glass, central locking, electric windows in the front and rear, high-quality seat covers, vanity mirrors in the sun visors, steering column with adjustable rake and reach, plenty of storage compartments and electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering. The high-quality, torsionally rigid body, innovative chassis design and standard features such as ABS, front and side airbags (passenger airbag can be disabled), as well as Isofix fittings to take appropriate child seats, provide a very high standard in terms of both passive and active safety. The 1.4 Polo Saloon (74 kW / 100 hp) is also supplied with ESP as standard (optional on all other versions). The standard equipment and optional extras for the Polo Saloon are listed below:

Standard equipment for the Polo Saloon (Basis)

Exterior
Interior
Safety
Functions

Additional standard equipment for the Polo Saloon Comfortline (compared to Basis)

Exterior
Interior
Safety
Functions

Optional extras for the Polo Saloon

Note: All the data and equipment options in this press release apply to the range of models offered in Germany. There may be differences in other countries. We reserve the right to make changes and correct mistakes. The terms SDI and TDI are registered trademarks belonging to Volkswagen AG or to other companies in the Volkswagen Group in Germany.