Update: New Volkswagen Polo (2019) Spy Images [Video]
In March 2017, we published spy images of the next-generation Polo which was followed by a video released by Volkswagen showing the Polo in camouflage, testing in South Africa. The latest spy images show the new Polo virtually undisguised testing on a secret road. After 42 years and 14 million cars sold, Volkswagen has announced when it will be revealing the new Polo. The date will be 16 June 2017, at 11 AM CEST / 9 AM GMT at an event in Berlin, Germany. To whet our appetites, Volkswagen released this playlist of YouTube videos, culminating in a teaser outline image of the new Polo. The next Polo rides on the smallest version of the flexible MQB platform (AO), which underpins a number of compact products in the Volkswagen/Audi family. The latest spy images of the new Polo show a more purposeful front-end. To that end, there will be a soft-touch dashboard fascia, strategic padding and expensive-looking trim elements, and front seats sourced from the facelifted Golf, a British publication suggested.
Active Info Display (Volkswagen鈥檚 all-digital instrument cluster), a new generation of touchscreen infotainment systems, Park Pilot automatic parking and keyless entry will be optional, plus it is not inconceivable that electronically controlled adaptive suspension could be available too. The new taillights clusters are partially disguised and the new Polo is expected to feature a larger loading bay than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Polo GTI derivative will be powered by 147 kW 2.0-litre TSI lifted straight from the Golf GTI. Transmission options for the range will comprise 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes, with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission available on high-spec versions. In South Africa, Volkswagen South Africa recently introduced a Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI R-Line derivative as the current range enters its run-out phase. It remains to be seen whether the Vivo range will be replaced by a product based on a scaled back current-generation Polo, but it seems highly likely.
The Touran鈥檚 dashboard has been redesigned with a more driver-oriented layout. The upper area of the dashboard panel is made of a slush-moulded soft-touch material and contains a closable storage compartment. The focus of the driver's work station both visually and ergonomically is the centre console, which slopes up towards the front. In front of the gear lever there is a storage compartment, and additional storage compartments and trays are located, among other places, on the side of the instruments and in the footwell on the passenger side (for tablet computers). On the Comfortline, there are LED lighting strips along the sides of the very large panoramic sunroof (1.34 m2 as compared to 1.15 m2 in the previous model). These indirectly illuminate the closed sun roof blind as well. The driver and front passenger sit 625 mm above street level in the new Touran. By comparison, this distance in the Golf GTI measures 477 mm.
The Touran鈥檚 front seats enable a correspondingly upright seating position. Compared with the previous model, the steering column is at a slightly flatter angle to the dashboard; the steering wheel is therefore now more upright, giving it a sportier feel. The Touran鈥檚 longer wheelbase also benefits passengers in the frequently used second seat row, who will appreciate the added 40 mm available when adjusting the three individual seats. The second row seats can be adjusted lengthwise with a total travel of 200 mm. The backrest inclination can also be adjusted, with a choice of three positions. The area in front of the centre seat is more comfortable now thanks to a very flat centre tunnel. Another new feature is the armrest built into the centre seat, for the use of passengers in the outer seats. The newly designed fold-flat seats also improve seating ergonomics and increase headroom by 6 mm.
