Volkswagen will bring the Polo to America
With American consumers showing an increasing taste for small cars like the MINI, Honda Fit and others, Volkswagen apparently wants to return to its roots. VW development chief Ulrich Hackenberg confirmed during the Detroit Auto Show that the next-generation Polo will be sent to the U.S. As the Rabbit/Golf has continually grown through its first five generations, the car has left a gap in VW's U.S. lineup where the original Rabbit sat. That's where the Polo comes in.
The Polo is roughly the same size as that original Rabbit and would slot in between the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. The new generation Polo will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March but a U.S. launch date hasn't been confirmed yet. We'll likely see the Polo at U.S. auto shows later this year, probably starting at the LA Auto Show in November. U.S.-market Polos will reportedly be sourced from VW's Puebla Mexico factory.
Gallery: 2007 VW Polo
[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Winsor 7:28PM (1/16/2009)
I don't know whether it is significant, but I saw one of these today going east on the Garden Grove Freeway in Orange County. I have never seen a Polo in this country before. Maybe a dealer tryout?
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Mike J 8:11AM (1/19/2009)
It's not significant. I know many "border-crossed" Polos have been seen over the years. All the spotted Polos have had Mexican plates. Did you happen to notice what the license plates were?
Also, has anyone seen the supposed leaked pics of the next generation Polo? Definitely a step back in styling.
Winsor 11:19AM (1/19/2009)
Have to say I did not notice the license plate. I think I would have had it been not from California. I could be wrong though.
ohgoody 9:43PM (1/16/2009)
I think this is extremely cool. Hopefully we will see diesels available. If so, count me in. Awesome.
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:44PM (1/16/2009)
Seems like a good idea to me. With the dollar dropping versus the Euro, there are people who want to buy VWs now who can't afford a Golf. They'll pick up some sales with this.
Maybe they can put the same idiotic 2.5L lousy mpg engine in the Polo as they do in the Golf.
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John Metcalf 6:26AM (1/17/2009)
This is great as long as they put a fuel efficient engine in it.
The Golf would be fine if they didn't feel the need to put a 2.5 in it for the American market, or offer something smaller. A Golf that can't get 30mpg?
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MikeW 10:33AM (1/19/2009)
Death to that junko engine.
A 1.6 direct injected turbo I4 would be perfect
120hp from 5000-6000rpm
150ft-lbs from 2000-4000
Use the air to liquid intercooler for smaller volume/quicker engine response (like the supercharger-less twincharger)
A 1.8 I4 D.I. turbo for the Golf, 160hp 184ft-lbs
then the 2.0 for the GTi
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