Geneva 2009 debut: All-new Volkswagen Polo

by Adrian Hearn

This is the new Volkswagen Polo – the fifth generation of the popular supermini which will be taking the fight to the Ford Fiesta.

The new Polo, which has the unmistakable new VW face, has just made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Looking more mature than its predecessor, the new Polo looks very much the miniature Golf and will go on sale in the UK around October.

While slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model, the new Polo is 7.5 per cent lighter with Volkswagen saying it stronger, more refined and greener.

View 30-plus images of the new VW Polo:

On paper, the new Polo is one of the world’s most efficient cars with the BlueMotion diesel emitting just 96g/km of carbon dioxide and averaging 74mpg – putting it right in the firing line of the Ford Fiesta Econetic.

But next year it will get even more interesting with the launch of the 1.2-litre diesel BlueMotion II.

While on display alongside the new Polo at Geneva, this model is a concept for the time being but when it goes on sale in 2010 it will emit a paltry 87g/km and average a staggering 85mpg.

At launch there will be a choice of four petrol engines and two diesels. There will be two standard 1.2-litre petrol engines developing 59bhp and 69bhp respectively and a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine with 105bhp.

Making up the petrol range is the 1.4 which develops 84bhp and is available with a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

The 1.6-litre diesels boast 74 and 89bhp respectively.

While the headline cars of Geneva are likely to be the offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Aston Martin, the new Polo could turn put to be the show’s most important launch.

With times as they are, those who are buying new cars are being far more stringent with their finances, indicated by the success of the new Ford Fiesta which is outselling the Ford Focus for the first time in ten years.

We’re reporting live from Geneva all day so don’t forget to come back for news as debuts are made by the likes of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Bentley Continental Supersports and Alfa MiTo GTA.