Volkswagen Polo 2014 News

Volkswagen issues recall for potentially explosive airbag, while Mitsubishi rectifies defective side-steps.

US owners of VW cars with diesel engines that can cheat emissions tests have already been given $500, but local owners still have no compensation.

Three weeks after the global scandal broke, Australian owners of VW diesel cars finally know if their car is affected or not.

A vote by 75 motoring journalists from 22 countries has awarded the compact prestige car the World Car of the Year award for 2015.It finished on top of a 24-car field and eventually beat the two other finalists, the Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Passat.The other big prizes for 2015, Green Car of the Year and Performance Car of the Year, went to the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and the Mercedes-AMG GT coupe.The winners were announced at the New York Motor Show today at an event hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and Autoneum at the culmination of a six-month voting process.The C-Class delivers levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class.The awards are in their 11th year and previous winners include the Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, Lexus LS460 and Volkswagen Golf, Polo and Up.To be eligible for the overall World Car award, candidate cars must have become available for sale on at least two continents between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015.The WCOTY wins by Mercedes-Benz follow its victories in the Green Car contest in 2007 with the E320 Bluetec and 2012 with the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and its Luxury Car success with the S Class in 2014.“We are extremely delighted of winning the honour of World Car of the Year,” says the chairman of Daimler, Dr Dieter Zetsche.The WCOTY victory follows a similar success for the C-Class in the CarsGuide Car of the Year award.The WCOTY judging panel says: “Taking its design and technological cues from the S-Class, the C-Class employs an all-new aluminium/steel hybrid platform and updated rear-drive powertrains that delivers levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class.” WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015Overall winner: Mercedes-Benz C-ClassGreen Car: BMW i8Performance Car: Mercedes-AMG GTLuxury Car: Mercedes-Benz S CoupeDesign: Citroen CactusPREVIOUS WORLD COTY WINNERS:2014: Audi A32013: Volkswagen Golf2012: Volkswagen Up2011: Nissan Leaf2010: Volkswagen Polo2009: Volkswagen Golf2008: Mazda22007: Lexus LS4602006: BMW 3 Series2005: Audi A6

Ten contenders, two exhaustive days of testing by six judges...

Mercedes-Benz C-Class wins CarsGuide 2014 Car Of The Year award as sales figures show it outsold the Ford Falcon by almost two-to-one last month.

As the exhaustive COTY drive program starts, CarsGuide covers the market segments — the focus as ever is on testing real cars for real people on real roads.The field for the 2014 Carsguide Car of the Year contest is in the starting blocks.The 10 contenders cover every corner of Australia’s new-car showroom, from baby cars to SUVs and luxury cars to people-movers. There is even a performance car.The COTY favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class but there are dark horses including the updated VW Polo and Toyota Corolla sedan, as well as the classy little Mazda2 that’s a late inclusion for the contest.And then there is the Ford Falcon XR8, an Aussie hero that’s the poster car for the final FG X Falcon.The two-day COTY contest puts them head-to-head with a simple mantra: real cars for real people on real roads.So we’re looking first at value, then everything from safety to comfort, quality and efficiency. It’s the same approach that most people take to their new-car purchase but with a much sharper focus.VW has dominated the COTY results in recent years with the excellent Golf and Polo, which work so well despite unanswered questions about ownership beyond the warranty.But no one knows what will happen when we get down to voting for the biggest prize in Australia motoring.  The contenders are:Ford Falcon XR8From $52,490This is as good as the Falcon gets, as Ford Australia does all it can to make the FG X special for the time it has left as a car maker at Broadmeadows. Ford fans have been calling for the return of the XR8 for years and the best news is the car picks up the 335kW supercharged V8 engine lifted directly from the discontinued FPV GT.Honda Jazz VTiFrom $14,990Honda retreated in the global financial crisis, and has also just axed the Accord Euro that’s been so popular in Australia. Honda played smart by adding a standard rear-view camera to the new Jazz but that’s just the start for a car that’s a genuine step forward.Honda Odyssey VTiFrom $38,990Few Australians buy people-movers but the new Odyssey provides a good reason to look past an SUV. A genuine family van, it is also well equipped and well built. It’s been a long-term success in Australia, despite rivals including the Toyota Tarago and the latest classy Citroen Picasso.Mazda3 NeoFrom $20,490Australia’s favourite car for 2013 got a total makeover for 2014 that includes everything from the SkyActiv powertrain to a new body and chassis. It’s a looker that backs the style with impressive quality and driving dynamics. The Mazda3 take the fight to the Toyota Corolla for sales and the VW Golf for everything else.Mazda2 NeoFrom $15,790More like a condensed Mazda3 than any previous Mazda2, the Japanese company’s new starter car is mini but definitely not tinny. The cabin quality is impressive, it goes well with SkyActiv technology, and the value is up with a price that’s down.Mercedes-Benz C200From $60,900The world’s oldest car maker performed a magic trick with the new C-Class, creating a condensed S-Class limousine that still comes in below the LCT threshold. It’s packed with technology, takes a new approach to luxury cabin design and drives incredibly well in C200 starter form.Nissan Pathfinder hybridFrom $42,990Earlier Pathfinders were a bit rough-and-ready despite their heavyweight credentials but the new model is much more car-like and a serious alternative to a Toyota Kluger or Ford Territory for Australian families. The hybrid package is the icing on the cake.Subaru WRXFrom $38,990The long-term Subaru hero is still a performance bargain. Its user-friendly constantly variable transmission is one of the biggest changes and challenges to the turbocharged pocket rocket. This time around the emphasis has switched from the engine to the chassis in the WRX, a major departure that changes the game.Toyota Corolla sedanFrom $20,740Four-door compacts are not generally as popular as hatches but that has not stopped Toyota from creating a sedan that trumps its five-door variant. It’s a little more expensive but the pay-off comes in greater refinement in a body that works for many downsizers.VW Polo 66TSI$16,290The starter car for VW in Australia following the axing of the Up is a long way better than basic motoring. It goes surprisingly well, has a solid Golf-style feel and meets most of the needs of baby-car buyers. As always, though, we wonder about life beyond the warranty.We’re looking first at value, then everything from safety to comfort, quality and efficiency. It’s the same approach most people take to their new-car purchase but with a much sharper focus.

The small-car segment has plenty of options - the players are frugal yet safe and well-appointed. Here are the best buys under $16K.

Volkswagen Polo update brings improved efficiency, features, safety and value.  VW has revised its Polo hatch lineup, four years after the Mk5 model first arrived in Australian showrooms.  The biggest news for the new model is drive-away pricing to help introduce the range. Continuing with the Trendline and Comfortline trim levels, the entry Trendline manual now kicks off at $15,990 drive-away, with a $16,290 list price some $700 less than before. Drive-away pricing will be applied across the lineup for the first three months (or while stocks last) of the new model's life, but VW are yet to announce the 'no more to pay' figures for the rest of the range. Comfortline list pricing has been cut by $950, now starting at $18,290 and the DSG dual-clutch auto still commands its standard $2500 premium on either trim level. Volkswagen will be banking on this sharpened pricing and spec upgrades to help it compete with the new Honda Jazz, plus upcoming new versions of the Mazda 2, Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris.In terms of 2014 sales year to date, the existing Polo currently trails the Hyundai i20, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta and Holden Barina in the mainstream light segment. DESIGNThe 2014 Polo also sees the introduction of several technologies form its Mk7 Golf, but the styling has also been tweaked to bring the Polo in line with its bigger brother. New head and taillights, grille, and front and rear bumpers complete a typically Volkswagen discrete but effective makeover.The Trendline can be identified by a new hubcap design on 15 inch steel wheels, while the Comfortline gets a new 'Estrada' design 15 inch alloy wheel as standard and a new 'Mirabeau' design 17 inch wheel with the optional Sport package.The new Polo also sees three new exterior colours added to the chart, with Pure White, Sunset Red Metallic and Corn Flower Blue joining the existing Deep Black Pearl Effect, Reflex Silver Metallic and Pepper Grey Metallic.On the inside, the Polo scores the Mk7 Golf's steering wheel, fresh trim materials plus a revised 3D instrument layout and a new centre stack and controls that incorporate the Golf's MIB multimedia interface within a five inch touchscreen.In the back, there are Isofix child-seat mounts for the outward rear positions and a dual-layer boot floor offers a maximum cargo capacity of 280-litres with the seats up, and 952-litres with the seats folded.All variants come with a full size steel spare wheel aside from the Comfortline Sport, where the same spare is limited to 80km/h due to the Sport's larger alloys. FEATURESThe Trendline comes with the five inch touchscreen display with SD, USB and Bluetooth phone and audio, plus cruise control, a height-adjustable driver's seat and rake and reach adjustable steering.The Comfortline adds extra chrome trim to the nose, 15-inch alloys, a Think Blue Trainer efficiency coach function to the display, multifunction controls and leather trim to the steering wheel, heated wing mirrors, aluminium interior details, passenger seat height adjustment and storage pockets on the back of the front seats. Comfortline models are available with a $1500 optional Driving Comfort Package, which adds a reversing camera, auto headlights, wipers and rearview mirror dimming, adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, climate control aircon, tyre pressure monitoring and driver fatigue detection. Rear parking sensors are available for both models, but are a dealer-fit optional extra. Comfortline models are also available with the $1500 optional Sport pack, which adds 17 inch alloys, lowered sports suspension, tinted rear windows, front fog and cornering lights, and tyre pressure monitoring.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONSThe previous Trendline's non-turbo 63kW/132Nm 1.4-litre petrol has been dropped in favour of an all-new 66kW/160Nm 1.2-litre petrol turbo used in low-cost versions of the Golf overseas, and Comfortline models step up from the old 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre turbo to an 81kW/175Nm version of the same new engine.Both engines make max torque from just 1400rpm, with the 66kW engine stretching out to 3500rpm, and the 81kW engine promising excellent tractability all the way too 4000rpm.Gone is the previous  - and expensive -  Comfortline diesel variant, with both new petrol engines coming within 0.2L/100km of the old oiler's combined fuel figure. The default transmissions remain a five speed manual in the Trendline and a six-speed manual in the Comfortline, and the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto continues as a $2500 option for either trim level. Combined fuel consumption is now 4.8L/100km for all variants aside from the manual Comfortline which uses just 0.1L/100km more, down from the 5.5-6.1L/100km of the previous Polo. Both engines continue to require Premium 95RON unleaded, but efficiency is aided by Bluemotion tech like stop/start and a smart alternator that boosts charge efficiency under braking to minimise load under acceleration.SAFETYThe new Polo continues with the 5 star ANCAP safety rating its predecessor carried since 2010, with six airbags and comprehensive stability control functions, but adds the Multi-Collision braking system from the bigger Golf that automatically applies the brakes after a collision to help prevent secondary impacts.

Tiguan R-Line, new Scirocco R, expanded Golf range, new Polo GTI, revised Jetta and new Passat to help maintain Volkswagen sales growth.  Volkswagen has a range of revised and new models planned to help maintain the brand's current sales strength, despite the overall Australian new car market being down 2.1 per cent so far this year. VW Australia's managing director John White expects these new models to help strong sales of the existing Golf, Polo, Tiguan and Touareg to top the brand's 54,892 unit 2013 result, particularly considering the 32,562 units sold by VW to the end of July already represent a 3.8 percent increase year to date. "Overall this year, we believe that even with a market that's going to be down, we should be ahead of last year," he said.Starting with the revised Polo light hatch that arrives in showrooms this week, a revised version of the strong-selling Tiguan SUV will also touch down in September, strengthening its appeal ahead of an all-new model that is still at least two years away. TIGUAN R-LINEThis will see the Tiguan fitted with a standard reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a colour touchscreen display for the first time, plus the addition of a performance-themed Tiguan R-Line model with a 130kW turbodiesel engine as a new range-topper. GOLF R-LINE WAGONA wagon version of the Golf R-Line will appear in October, based on the success of the sports styled option pack available on existing Highline Golf hatch models.SCIROCCO RThis will be followed in November by the surprise arrival of the refreshed Scirocco R performance coupe, which was widely tipped as a non-starter for Australia after the also slow-selling Up and Eos models were discontinued in April. The revised Scirocco R made its first appearance at the Geneva motor show in March, with styling that has been brought in line with the Mk7 Golf R that arrived here in April.Mr White cited a positive response from the public, media and dealers as a key reason for the model's return to our shores, but it will be accompanied by a new sales strategy."There is going to be significant simplification in terms of colours and option packs, and significant reduction in the expectation of sales, where we are going to focus on making the Scirocco R a low volume, highly desirable vehicle," he said. POLO GTIA revised version of the hot Polo GTI is set to appear at the Paris motor show in September, before arriving down under in the first half of 2015. The GTI will score similar visual and interior upgrades to the regular Polo, but will boost power from 132-141kW and is also tipped to bring a manual transmission for the first time in a Mk5 Polo GTI.JETTAA refreshed Jetta mid-size sedan will also make its way to Australia in the first half of 2015, and John White is expecting the new model to better challenge segment leaders like the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, unlike the current model which has fallen 35 per cent year to date and is currently outsold by the 6 by more than 3:1."We're taking a look at the way that we're going to be configuring the car line, and you can count on the car line having more features and benefits to it, as we look to maximise the opportunities for the Jetta and make it a much better volume competitor," he said.  GOLF ALLTRACKMr White also confirmed the local future of a high-riding all-wheel drive Golf Alltrack wagon near the end of the first half of 2015, with the new model to follow a similar formula to the Alltrack version of the Passat wagon.PASSATRounding out 2015 for Volkswagen will be the all-new Passat that is due to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in September. Mr White confirmed that we will see  the new model late next year, and will be available in sedan, wagon and Alltrack bodystyles.NOT COMINGVW Australia Polo product manager Todd Ford confirmed there are no plans to put a Polo R into production, despite various reports to the contrary and the media being given the chance to drive prototype versions of the Audi S1 mechanical twin earlier this year."We'd love it if we could, but there won't be an R version of the current generation Polo," he said.Mr Ford was also unable to shed any light on the expected Golf R wagon's local future, despite several prototypes being spied testing in recent months."There  has been no model confirmed for production, so I cannot speculate on any Australian future," he said.  He also reiterated that there are no plans to bring the Mk7 version of the hot diesel Golf GTD to Australia, due to a lack of suitable business case.  Upcoming Volkswagen modelsTiguan spec upgrade and R-Line – September 2014Golf Wagon R-Line – October 2014Scirocco R update – November 2014Polo GTI update – first half 2015Jetta update – first half 2015Golf Alltrack – mid-2015Passat redesign – late 2015