VW Introduces Fifth Generation Polo; Weight Down, Fuel Consumption Down (43-71 mpg, US-bound)

Green Car Congress ^ | 3 March 2009 | Mike Millikin

[wolf78]

VW Introduces Fifth Generation Polo; Weight Down, Fuel Consumption Down

Volkswagen unveiled the fifth generation of the supermini Polo at the Geneva Motor Show. Despite improvements in all aspects of the car, Volkswagen was able to reduce the Polo’s body weight by 7.5%.

The introduction of new TDI and TSI engines, as well as the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG), has resulted in reduced fuel consumption and emissions over a wide range of engine power outputs. As an example, the 1.2 TSI turbocharged four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine produces 77 kW (103 hp), while consuming 5.5 L/100km (43 mpg US), with 129 g/km CO2. This is 19% less than on the equivalent model of the previous generation.

Volkswagen will offer seven engines on the new Polo during its first year of production—four gasoline and three diesels. Five of these engines are brand new or are being used for the first time in the Polo; three of them can be paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) as an option instead of the manual 5-speed or 6-speed transmission. The gasoline engines, two three-cylinder and two four-cylinder engines, sport a power range extending from 44 kW (59 hp) to 77 kW (103 hp). New to the lineup are the two strongest gasoline engines, the 1.4 liter with 63 kW (84 hp) and the 1.2 TSI noted above, shifted by a standard 6-speed transmission.

[wolf78]

[wolf78]

ping!

[uglybiker]

U.S. bound until the greenies move the goalposts again.

[Moonman62]

I’m going to buy one for each foot.

[mrmargaritaville]

had a 95 passat, worst pos I’ve ever owned. Electircal problmes galore. Wouldn’t take another vw if someone gave it to me.

[ReformedBeckite]

Looks kind of like the Chevy/Geo Metro but with out the bubble butt look to the back.

[Cheetahcat]

Looks like a Coffin! No way I would drive that thing.

[6SJ7]

I'm thinking it looks a bit like the old AMC Gremlin. There was a classic! (Note poor woman below screaming at sight of Gremlin)

[wolf78]

Looks like a Coffin!

How so? I mean it looks like a somewhat bland small car, but no worse than an Aveo or Yaris. Now this car does look like a coffin:



It even has handles for the pallbearers.

[Cheetahcat]

“How so?”

Death Trap Like that Toyota Pry-us out!

[Jack Hammer]

Thought I knew a bit about cars, but I’ve never heard of a “dual” clutch transmission; what the heck is that? Anyone?

[wolf78]

Death Trap Like that Toyota Pry-us out!

Small cars can be relatively save. Of course, a Mercedes E-Class is safer. A Hummer not so much, due to its stiff frame, which is great for heavy-duty offroading but terrible for safety.

IMHO everyone should buy the car that best fits his or her needs. If you need a safe car, buy a Volvo station wagon, not a car that looks tough but isn't. I wished everybody would stop yelling "death trap" at Minis and "erectile disfunction" at Lamborghinis. Live and let live, to each his own. Because that's what capitalism is about.

[dusttoyou]

Listen up anyone looking at a VW. Recently bought a very cute VW Eos for my wife. A lot to like about the car.

First time out I noticed the AM radio (talk radio!) had reception as bad as my old crystal radio! Saw on the VW customer forum many with same issue. Notified dealer and they said “Oh they’re all like that, listen to FM or the Sat radio”. After several tries with the dealer, I moved it up to VW USA and got the same run around.

VW has a big sales campaign going right now, don’t be fooled, they have ZERO Customer Support! Buyers beware.

[wolf78]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin-clutch_gearbox / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox

In short: It's a semiautomatic gearbox that can, because it has two clutches, have two gears ready at the same time. It combines the seamless shifting of an automatic gearbox with the (fuel) efficiency of a manual gearbox (no inefficient torque converter).

It's a somewhat complicated solution, but close to being the perfect transmission choice. The $1.5m 250 mph Bugatti Veyron also uses one.

[SargeK]

Yup. Right until some third-generation moon-faced stinkin’ reliefer in a ‘67 Chrysler Imperial falls asleep with a .48 BAC and crosses the center line on you and turns you into a 100 foot long smear of adipose tissue on some secondary road.

Or you hit a chipmunk while traveling at 25 mph. Same result when you’re driving the automotive equivalent of a thong.

[Jack Hammer]

Thanks for the info; yes, it sounds complicated - a little too complicated for a certified Old Fart such as I.

[odin2008]

I owned a Gremblin-X (304 v-8) and a 1969 AMX. Both cars I loved. Extremely fast and economical.

[Kickass Conservative]

Bambi wants the CAFE standards raised to 45 MPG. Part of the Democrat's “Legislating Innovation” (my term) strategy.

This VW is uses cutting edge technology and gets 43 MPG.

Does anyone else here see a problem here?