VW to sell a larger Polo in the U.S.
Since the Golf/Rabbit has grown a little large to be considered an economy car anymore, Volkswagen has announced the comeback of the Polo (also known as the Fox). The car is currently in its 5th generation in Europe, and its lineup starts with 1.2-liter and ends up with a GTI version running on gasoline. On the diesel side, there's a 1.4-liter engine (the base for the BlueMotion version) and a powerful 1.9-liter model. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the U.S. will get these diesels or even the same model. VW's Stefan Jacoby said that the U.S.-market Polo will be larger, with a longer wheelbase and more headroom, "like a cross between a compact minivan and a hatchback." Are we supposed to this this is a Honda Fit beater? While mostly unknown in Europe, the American Polo will also get a sedan version.
[Source: Automotive News, GreenCar Reports]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PeterG 9:38AM (3/19/2009)
Heavier, taller, uglier with poorer fuel economy. More bloat FTW ???
How much different will it be from the Golf/rabbit, if they bloat it up?
Is this really much smaller than a Yaris/Fit? Heck rumors are the IQ is coming to North America to dice it up with the Smart and VW thinks the Polo is too small and needs porking out?
Idiots.
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Rich 11:53AM (3/19/2009)
Hey, Give the guy a break. He's got to justify his job here in America. The copy boy in the office probably knows enough through osmosis to bring a model over from Europe and get it to pass US specs.
And just because you make big bucks does not mean your smarter than the average blogger!
ME 10:12AM (3/19/2009)
stupid
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Throwback 10:33AM (3/19/2009)
"VW's Stefan Jacoby said that the U.S.-market Polo will be larger, with a longer wheelbase and more headroom"
Isn't that the Golf/Rabbit? I have driven the current Polo and it is about the same size as the 2nd gen Golf. I don't see a need to change anything on the new Polo for the US.
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Kumar 10:46AM (3/19/2009)
Bad move. Instead of keeping production and design costs low and giving American consumers a great little car (esp if they give it a TDI), VWoA chooses to pork the thing up as well as give us a useless sedan version.
If the Fit is the target, why do a sedan at all? The key to smaller cars is having maximum useability. Small trunks don't do that. I know from experience with my sweet 95 Dodge Neon that the trunk on a compact/subcompact is useless. ;)
When does the diesel Subie Impreza come out again?
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PeterG 10:53AM (3/19/2009)
I checked the UK specs. Polo is already same length and weight as Fit.
But hey spend more money making it bigger/heavier and take more time to get to market, so by the time it does get to market it will there will be smaller more economical cars from everyone (Fit/Yaris/IQ/Smart/Fiesta/....).
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jharlan 11:52AM (3/19/2009)
If it's not a diesel, I won't even look at it.
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Michael Hippenhammer 1:10AM (3/20/2009)
I thinnk the Fit and the Versa are the ugliest cars on the market. The Polo will be a much better car and they better bring the diesels here, if they don't the Polo will just be another car. The fuel mileage on the 1.4 TDI will knock the socks off the other cars.
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bruce 3:06PM (3/19/2009)
Every time I think VW might be showing a glimmer of intelligence about selling cars in the US, they prove me wrong.
They excel at building cars (in other markets) that are small and efficient but still fun to drive, but they refuse to differentiate themselves by bringing any of those cars here.
They spend a zillion dollars trying to "unify" their platforms across the globe, then they insist on building different models for the US.
They market themselves as being a sportier, more-fun, alternative choice to the Hondas and Toyotas of the world, but they claim to be gunning for Toyota's number-one US sales rank, and so they try to make cars that are exactly like Toyotas.
In other words, VW still doesn't understand that they have to play their own game in the US - not Toyota's game, which they will inevitably lose.
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Paul Sallmen 4:30PM (3/19/2009)
Agreed. There is no point for this version of the Polo. If anything, it'll steal market share from the existing Golf. I say, bring over the Euro Polo, diesel and all, or don't bother.
This also shows how the US and Canada, simply need to adopt the Euro crash safety and emission standard. The standards are so close now, that rather than bailing out car makers, governments should just make it easier for them to bring cars to market! Then, if an American or Canadian wants to bring that Polo Bluemotion home from their European vacation, they can.
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ryan 10:07PM (3/19/2009)
I think that what they are describing is the Cross Polo. I see them in Japan from time to time. Imagine an undersized SUV/station wagon or a Polo blown out of proportion in all of the wrong areas. There you go, you now have the Cross Polo. I wouldn't be caught dead driving one of the things.
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Bubbles 12:25AM (3/20/2009)
Good one VW, I was planning on trading in my 05 Jetta for a diesel hatch, but you ruined my plans.
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toucego 1:30PM (3/21/2009)
@ autobloggreen:
The VW Polo is not "(also known as the Fox)"!!!
The VW Fox is made in Brazil for the South American market and its smaller and "cheaper" than the VW Polo...currently the VW Fox is also available in Europe.
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David 10:02PM (4/18/2009)
It sounds like they are trying to 'Fit' the Polo. What a disappointment. What a mistake. It's perfect, as is, especially with a diesel.
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