New York Auto Show: VW forbidden fruit on the floor
Click for one more floor shot plus VW press photos of the Polo BlueMotion
On Thursday afternoon, a group of us ventured out onto the floor to check out this alleged New York Auto Show we'd heard was going on all around us. Those of you familiar with the Jacob Javits Center know that the lower level is reserved for trucks, with a sprinkling of other automakers thrown in (Subaru, Kia, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and VW). After checking out Suzuki's concept-ized SX4 sedans, we headed back toward the entrance so we could hoof it upstairs to the main show floor.
As we passed through the Nissan trucks section, I noticed a small blue covered hatchback parked against the wall. A big VW logo on the front and www.volkswagen.de labels on the side clearly stated who it belonged to. Neff and Roth, oblivious, walked right by. I stopped and yelled at them, "Hey, I think this is a Polo."
They walked back while I pulled up the front of the cover to confirm, and sure enough, it was a Polo BlueMotion. John then puts the puzzle pieces together, saying, "Oh, this makes sense. It was a nominee for the World Green Car of the Year award. Volkswagen had to have one on hand in case it won."
It didn't win. That honor went to the Bluetec-equipped Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Still, VeeDub needed to stash the car somewhere, and that somewhere wound up being this innocuous spot in the basement. Too bad. The Polo's a cool little hatch, and the BlueMotion version is good for around 60 MPG, too. That combo makes for a car that'd get its fair share of attention from potential buyers at the real VW stand, which was around 50 feet away from this impromptu parking place. Unfortunately, buying one is simply not an option in the United States. Oh well. At least we got to take a peek at it.
UPDATE: Word comes from a commenter that the Polo BlueMotion has been added to the VW display.
Gallery: VW Polo BlueMotion
PRESS RELEASE
04 April 2007
VOLKSWAGEN POLO BLUEMOTION NAMED A FINALIST FOR WORLD GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The European-market Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion has been selected as a finalist for the 2007 World Green Car title. A jury comprised of more than 40 international automotive journalists representing the world's most significant automotive outlets chose this year's finalists. The World Green Car of the Year will be declared April 5 at the New York International Auto Show.
The Polo BlueMotion is Europe's most economical five-seat automobile, offering the equivalent of 60 miles per gallon. The key to the Polo BlueMotion's efficiency is the optimization of an already economical package. Incorporation of longer ratio gears in the standard five-speed manual transmission, application-specific light weight alloy wheels, and lower rolling resistance 165/70 R14 tires all contribute to increased fuel economy. The lightweight body structure has enhanced aerodynamics to further improve its efficiency. The Polo BlueMotion doesn't ask its owners to compromise, as its sprightly performance and sporty chassis dynamics provide the "fun to drive" element inherent in Volkswagen's brand DNA.
The Polo BlueMotion is the first model to be launched under Volkswagen's BlueMotion sustainability initiative aimed at developing low-emissions and low-fuel consumption vehicles at affordable prices.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Avinash machado 11:21AM (4/07/2007)
The first generation VW Rabbit and the Polo are about the same size. Shows how much cars have grown.
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James 11:36AM (4/07/2007)
I was just about to make the same comment as #1... funny to think that there are now two models smaller than the Golf in the European market. That little Polo would find plenty of welcoming homes Stateside, but sadly it's not likely to happen any time soon.
*j*
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Adam 11:50AM (4/07/2007)
I wrote VW about this car, telling them I would buy one tomorrow if it was available in the US. They said they have no CURRENT plans to offer it here...
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ruggels 12:04PM (4/07/2007)
Yeah, I have no clue why they don't. That's one thing that sucks about living in san diego, polo, lupo, sharan, the entire vw line up driving around, somehow viable and profitable in a country with a much poorer population, yet in the US they won't work. alright.
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Rocky 5:42PM (4/07/2007)
So why can't we get the VW Polo Bluemotion in the USA. With California gas prices as high as $ 3.97 we need it.
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JJ 12:21PM (4/07/2007)
Volkswagen moved the Polo BlueMotion out onto the floor with the rest of the truck cars and concepts. I saw it yesterday, but the current-generation Polo's styling doesn't do a lot for me. Having lived abroad for most of the year -- and having returned primarily to see the auto show -- I see Polos all the time, and aside from the technology, I don't know how special this specific car is.
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Will S. 12:23PM (4/07/2007)
I would consider buying this car if it were available in the U.S. The big IF would be what VW decided to charge for it. I looked at TDI Jettas but I just could not justify the price that they wanted for them. It is great that it gets 45+ MPG and all, but at 25k it is not much of a savings vs. say a Honda Civic.
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Greg A. 1:29PM (4/07/2007)
Yeah, with the weak dollar, I imagine VW AG is barely making any profit on base versions of the Rabbit, Jetta and New Beetle. The Polo must have smaller margins than any of those to start with in its home market. Take into account the exchange rate and it would probably be a money-loser for VW of America. (I know VW of America imports cars from Mexico, but I imagine they use a lot of European components.)
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Greg A. 1:33PM (4/07/2007)
However, now that I've reread ruggels's comment (#4), I realize that disproves my theory.
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ohmygod 3:36PM (4/07/2007)
Although this car seems tempting, and God knows I wish there were more diesels in North America. I'm not sure this Car would fit into the power obsessed market. the power is just not there to merge safely onto the highways and keep up with the overpowered cars currently on the roads.
Here is an interesting review by Channel 4 from the UK (where they are generally more accepting of slower 0-60 times.)
Draw your own conclusions.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/di/volkswagen/polo/8314/1
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Bill 5:54PM (4/07/2007)
After reading that review above, I'm certain they'd sell at least 2 in the USA. LOL
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Cerri 5:17PM (4/07/2007)
Whoever is not allowing this car (and other 60MPG or better cars) into the U.S., DOT, CARB etc. is being paid off by the oil companies and Mid East Oil Sheiks. Maybe an air strike on the CARB HQ would be in order?
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Brent 5:29PM (4/07/2007)
As someone who loved everything about my 1982 Civic 1500GL, I'd love to own a Polo. VW bring it to Canada!
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Owen 8:50PM (4/07/2007)
uhm... I just came from the Show and they had the BlueMotion proudly on display in all of it's 3 cyl, TDI, 60mpg glory.
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Uncle Jed 9:02PM (4/07/2007)
This car was in the Special Events Center during the World Car of the Year Awards (one of three finalists for the Green Car award, or whatever they called it, won by the Bluetec M-B E-class)... Though I agree that it is interesting that they had it there for the event (unlike Citroen, which didn't ship over a Picasso), I wouldn't assume that this means they're considering selling them here. On the other hand, with GM showing THREE Polo-sized (or smaller) concept vehicles, you never know...
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Bill C 9:55PM (4/07/2007)
#11,
I know just how you feel. I had an '83 Civic 1300FE, and no car I have had since then has measured up in terms of the combination of MPG, utility, fun-to-drive, quality, reliability, and longevity. I sold the car at 205k miles, and I deeply regret it. I traded it for a used 91 Civic, which was a disaster and I haven't gone back to Honda since. That 83 was sweet, and my folks had same car, but an 82.
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bhtooefr 11:42PM (4/07/2007)
Dangerously slow?
No.
Somehow, my Golf, with 52 hp, and getting to 60 in somewhere between 17 and 18 seconds (and that's GOOD)... is fine. I have to plan a LOT, but it's not THAT slow.
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:43PM (4/07/2007)
I like this car, I'm not in love with it but I like it for what it is. Sadly, the US market is not ready for a compact city car... yet.
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ruggels 1:15AM (4/08/2007)
@Greg A
I'm not sure if you're wrong, VW has oft indicated the same thing, that they can't sell it at a profit in the US for whatever reason.
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fd 8:26AM (4/08/2007)
Have requested this vehicle as well :(
Unfortunately VW is all hung up in going more and more upscale.
Sure, the dollar - euro rate doesn't help ... but you can't tell me if VW can't do it. We need more safe compact and fuel efficient vehicles on the US market.
Whatever horsepower this brings with it, I'm sure its more than plenty. I used to drive a 50hp -ish VW Golf 1 in Europe, where they drive a bit faster than the US.
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