The 2010 European Car of the Year has just been launched in Singapore for S$64,700. Perhaps as significant as the engineering underpinning the car is how the all-new Polo looks; It has forsaken the dated looks of its predecessor, now appearing modern and distinctively Volkswagen as it features design traits used on the current Volkswagen Golf Mk6.
As Volkswagen is keen to point out, Polo is the first in class to use a seven-speed transmission—a dual-clutch DSG gearbox no less. With the other half of the drivetrain being an in-line-four, 16-valve 1.4-litre, which produces 85 bhp at 5000 rpm and 132 Nm at 3800 rpm, Polo is expected to return an impressive 17.2 km/litre fuel economy while emitting a very low 135 grams/km CO2. 0–100 km/h takes 11.9 seconds, while top speed reaches 177 km/h.
Yet another highlight of the new Polo is the maximum 5-star safety Euro NCAP rating, which comes thanks to a series of standard safety equipments including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assistant, dual front airbags, ventilated disc brakes for the front and disc brakes for the rear, ISOFIX mounting points for securing two child seats, and extended pedestrian protection measures.
By comparison, Toyota Vios costs S$63,488 in the most expensive trim and Honda City costs S$68,800 in the cheapest form, so Polo has price on its side on top of the pedigree that it possesses in abundance.
Tags: Buyer's Guide • City • European Car Of The Year • Featured • Germany • Golf • Honda • Honda City • Polo • Singapore • Toyota • Toyota Vios • Vios • Volkswagen • Volkswagen Cars • Volkswagen Golf • Volkswagen Polo
