Without either hybrid or electric drive, it is difficult for the Volkswagen Polo to assert itself on the sales lists in the same way as before. In July it was in a decent 20th place, but on an annual basis it may end up outside the top 30 list. Many Polos are acquired as a second car. In that market it is difficult to not choose a tax-advantaged electric car at the same price.
Running on the torque
The 1-litre engine with 95 horses and DSG does a great job as a means of getting around. The gearbox keeps the revs down to 1500 revolutions. There, the motor makes no more noise than an electric motor. Still, there's enough torque to power up ordinary hills. The comparison with electric cars is quite apt. With almost constant revs and good torque, it feels like driving an electric car. The drivetrain does not behave as efficiently when you want to leave the passive driving pattern and use revs to quickly pass a motorhome or slip into fast-moving traffic. It takes time. The DSG gear needs a couple of seconds to adjust, and the engine also needs time to get up to speed. Even from 1500 revolutions, there is a "leg" in the engine. "Paddle-shifts" on the steering wheel allow you to downshift a few seconds in advance. It's a great way to alternate between active and passive driving.
3-cylinder engine characteristics
The turbocharged engine only has 3 cylinders. Since the engine speed is kept low, you avoid the annoying sound that 3-cylinder engines usually give - at least during normal driving. The motor major is well damped and in a pleasant, low-frequency tone. However, the 3-cylinder characteristic is clearly felt at idle. Then the engine vibrates - and it spreads to the whole car - even when the idle speed was set at 1000 revolutions. I have also noticed this on other cars with the same drivetrain. Automatic "stop & start" helps to remedy this somewhat.
The Polo fits well with a "laid-back" small-town life in the border area between France and Spain. Here, electric cars are only for those who are particularly interested. The Polo with 95 horses is actually one of the smallest cars that offers acceptable space and comfort - and superb driving characteristics. The Spanish rental car with equipment level "Active", is alright equipped. In Norway, the equivalent level of equipment is "Business". You can sit straight in, adjust the steering wheel, seat and mirrors, - and drive away straight away. A quality German car manufactured in Pamplona, Spain.
Holiday car
My wife and I are a week into the summer holidays. Our daughter and her partner from London have just arrived. Four adults fit perfectly in a Polo. We use the car to go to the beach, to the "big city" Perpignan and to cross-border trade in "La Jonquera". It is the French's "Svinesund" where you can buy cheap wine, beer, ham, cheese, meat and designer clothes. Yesterday we took the trip over it old the border crossing, Perthus. While the traffic flowed in a steady stream across the freeway just a few hundred meters away, we stampeded in line for over an hour to get through the main street everyone had to pass through before the new freeway came in 1976. Back then, too, there were kilometer-long queues here. On one side of the main street is France - on the other, Spain. Many take the trip to relive memories of the past, others to shop. It is probably here that you can buy the cheapest spirits.
Watch out for the clutch in the DSG7 gearboxes
With lower weight and less energy loss, the 7-speed DSG (DQ200) is better than its 6-speed predecessor. Except for one point. Shelf life. "My" Polo had passed 45 km as a rental car, and the clutch clearly showed signs of being worn or damaged, especially when starting up. It took a long time to grasp, and when it did, it was with a powerful jerk. I'm glad it's not me who has to pay for the clutch change and overhaul.
If you drive a double-clutch gearbox in the wrong way, the clutch(s) in the gearbox are exposed to unnecessary wear and tear. If you hold the car with the brake in a slow moving queue, as you do with conventional automatic transmissions, the clutch will slip. The result is hot running and great wear and tear. I still have no doubts when I recommend the DSG7 for the Polo.
Safety
Safety is measured by Euro Ncap in 2017. There, the new Volkswagen Polo received top position in its class. Good score in all disciplines. The 95 horse is also supplied with disc brakes on all 4 holes.
The Polo is a safe car also with regard to active safety – systems that prevent accidents from happening. All Polos come with automatic warning if something should appear in front of the car, and automatic braking at speeds below 30 km/h. The driving characteristics are exemplary for the class and are designed to correct driver errors.
consumption
After a week, the consumption is measured in sections. The first on the way out of the airport in 80 and 100 zones. Here, the consumption stabilized at 0,46 liters per mile according to measured on the instruments. As the motorway speed increased to 120 km/h, consumption went up to 0,54 liters per mile in heavy rain and windstorms. The weather was still quite cool so that the air-conditioning system did not have to go full blast. When the gauge creeps above 30 degrees, consumption easily exceeds 0,7 liters per mile, thanks to the cooling device running at full blast. It is no art to keep the engine at around 1500 revs all the way up to 80 km/h. Then you can get super low consumption. I myself measured 0,39 on a 35 km long drive before the sun really started to heat up. A trip to the beach (30km) ended up at a decent 0,37, but was down to 0,35 until we turned off the main road.
Based on experience from other cars with the same drivetrain, you can count on 0,46-0,54 in daily driving without thinking about consumption. With economical gas foot, you can easily get down to the 0,30s.
Polo has grown up
New models of the Volkswagen Polo are getting bigger and bigger. The latest edition is large enough to cover the car needs of many people. At the same time, it seems quite anonymous, at least when it is parked along the street with other cars. The youthfulness that characterized previous Polos is no longer as evident. Even behind the wheel, the youthfulness is toned down. With the TSI engine of 95 horses, the car offers safe and comfortable transport, without inviting active driving. Polo has not only grown up, but has also been brought in step with the times in relation to what the cars of the future will be like.
Set the adaptive cruise control, sit back and enjoy the ride!
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 95 DSG - facts
Weights and Measures
Length/width/height in cm: 405/175/144
Wheelbase in cm: 255
Tank volume in litres: 40
Boot space in litres: 351 (11 liters more than the e-Golf)
– with seats folded down: 1125
Net weight: 1180
Total trailer weight with brakes: 1000
– without brakes: 590
Motor
3-cylinder. Turbo. Direct injection. Euro 6b.
Engine displacement in ccm: 999
Power HP/KW: 95/70
Torque in Nm: 175 at 2000-3500 revolutions
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG (dry clutch solution)
Performance and consumption
Top speed: 187 km/h
0-100: 10,8 seconds
Consumption city (NEDC): 0,57 litres/mile
Consumption highway (NEDC): 0,40 litres/mile
Average consumption (NEDC): 0,46 litres/mile
Measured consumption highway: 0,39 litres/mile
Measured consumption motorway: 0,46-0,54 litres/mile
Tires
Brand: Kuhmo EcoWing ES01
Dimension: 185/65R15 88H
Prices and extras
Price Polo Businessline: 264
Metallic paint: 4
Good sound: 6
Navi: 8
Keyless: 4
Line Assist and Side Assist: 6
Tinted panes from the B-pillar: 2
Panoramic sunroof: 9
Park Assist: 1
Reversing camera: 2
Towbar: 9
Misc
Km driven: Not yet returned
Mileage: 45636
Euro Ncap: Test results of safety in the Volkswagen Polo 6
Source: Volkswagen.no
Owner: Europcar.es
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