Autoblog

REPORT: VW confirms Jetta name for small sedan, upcoming coupe concept could enter production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:47:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Volkswagen, Rumormill

It seems that we'll be getting a new Jetta sedan next June, and it apparently won't be a slightly restyled Golf with a trunk grafted to the rear end. According to Car and Driver, VW's so-called New Compact Sedan, which will be built at the same Mexican plant that assembles the current Jetta, will indeed retain the Jetta nameplate.

Following its June debut here in the States, Volkswagen will prep the car for its European launch later in the year, and it may or may not be called Jetta overseas. A sportier GLI variant will continue to be offered on the new model. Looking farther down the model-range totem pole, there's a decent chance that VW will bring the Polo to the U.S. market to rival the new Ford Fiesta, possibly as both a sedan and a hatchback.

Lastly, we're told that we should expect to see a new U.S.market-tailored two-door notchback coupe concept on the show circuit in short order. If public reaction to it is positive, there's a good chance VW will greenlight the car for series production.

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: VW confirms Jetta name for small sedan, upcoming coupe concept could enter production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: VW channels Back to the Future, Grease for new Polo ad

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo Commercial - click above image to watch the video

A few months ago, we found ourselves aimlessly and fortuitously wandering around the nether regions of a Los Angeles based press fleet's deep storage unit. Total "no cameras" zone. We stumbled in deeper and deeper, past the A8s used for Transporter 3, past the bright pink Mattel Barbie VW Routan and matching pink Barbie New Beetle Convertible with a motorized make-up valise that emerges from the trunk. Suddenly, lo and behold, there's a red 2009 Volkswagen Polo in all its Euro-only glory. Can we drive it? No. Please? No. Come on, man - just a quick drive? No, also - no.

So why is a Volkswagen Polo socked away in the very back of a warehouse? For a commercial, man. And it's actually a pretty nifty commercial, reminiscent of the town square scenes in Back to the Future. They even use the same Universal Studios back lot to film the new Polo spot. However, instead Marty McFly leading Biff and the baddies into the back of a manure truck, the commercial transitions to a Grease-like drag race between the Polo and some sort of chopped '50s zeitgeist flame job convertible - we'll go with custom Buick Roadmaster (or... 1953 Packard). Anyhow, we're not going to spoil the ending, beyond letting you know that the Polo wins. Make the jump to watch the video. UPDATE: ha ha ha.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

[Source:Volkswagen via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: VW channels Back to the Future, Grease for new Polo ad

VIDEO: VW channels Back to the Future, Grease for new Polo ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW planning Polo-based mini MPV

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen

Next up to announce a miniature MPV is Volkswagen, said to be eying its Polo for conversion to a (little) people hauler. In Europe such a car would go against competition like the Opel Meriva and Fiat Qubo. A VW board member suggested that such a car would be about adding to the company's small car variety, and it wants to have the right mix of offerings when the recovery comes.

On a side note, VW is also planning a "less effeminate, more assertive and masculine" Beetle that they want more men to buy. Because who knew button-cute car with a flower vase holder wouldn't appeal to men?

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: VW planning Polo-based mini MPV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen to debut four new models in Frankfurt?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Truck, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Germany only gets its own top-tier international auto show every other year, with the Frankfurt Motor Show alternating with the Paris salon. So when the circus rolls into town, you can bet Germany's giant auto industry will embrace the opportunity to reveal their latest. Audi's tipped to unveil its A5 Sportback and revised A8, Mercedes is expected to unveil its new E-Class Cabrio, BMW the new X1 and 5-Series GT/Progressive Activity Sedan... even Opel is anticipated to unveil its new Astra in Frankfurt. But according to the latest reports, Volkswagen is preparing to upstage them all with four new models.

First up is the Robust pick-up truck recently spied undergoing testing at the Nurburgring. A more versatile version of VW's midsize hatchback called the Golf Variant is tipped to join the show stage, too. But the real excitement is in the pair of hot hatches set to make their debuts in Frankfurt. The Golf R is anticipated to pack a 265-hp 2.0-liter TFSI with all the trimmings, while a mini-Scirocco based on the Polo could also be in the cards, packing a 180-hp 1.4-liter four. Of course, it's entirely possible that one or more of these could drop off the card for the upcoming show in September, but either way, Volkswagen looks set to make a big splash in Frankfurt this year, and of course we'll be on hand to catch it all for you.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Volkswagen to debut four new models in Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game

Noah Joseph — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo Challenge iPhone game - Click above for a gallery

What automaker isn't trying to cash in on the iCraze? Most are scrambling to include iPod and iPhone integration into their newest vehicles, and many have tried to mimic the look and feel of the Apple devices with their latest concepts. The "people's car" has as good a claim as any other automaker, and Volkswagen is looking to cement that with a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Developed by German mobile game studio Fishlabs, the Volkswagen Polo Challenge, like other racing games, works with the devices' built-in accelerometer to control the car. Players can choose between eight different circuits to drive on while being serenaded by the music of Feinkost. When they're done playing, mobile gamers can find the nearest VW dealership to check out the car in person.

Just a month after its release, already 1.4 million people have downloaded the free game from iTunes. (Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary has also released a similar game highlighting the Seat Ibiza Cupra.) If you can read German, you can check out more info in the press release after the jump, along with the images in the gallery below.

Continue reading People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game

People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #118

Dan Roth — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:43:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Geneva Motor Show, Ford, Lamborghini, Nissan, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Opinion/Editorial

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Join us for Episode #118 of the Autoblog Podcast, where Johnathon Ramsey makes his first ever 'cast appearance. Chris, Dan and JR cover the Opel Ampera and Volkswagen Polo, both vehicles we've sent our Geneva Dreadnoughts after. Attention then turns to the Ford iosis MAX concept before moving to the ridonkulous side of the street where the Ferrari 599XX and Lamborghini Murcielago Super Veloce are parked. Before it all wraps up, we go over P1, a video endeavor unlike anything before it. It's just a few ticks over an hour this week, and very soon we'll be putting together an all-questions show from your submissions to Podcast at Autoblog dot com. Next week, we'll recap Geneva, so drop us a line with any show-related questions or comments.

Follow the jump to subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, add the show to your RSS aggregator or listen to it right now!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #118

Autoblog Podcast #118 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:17:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Volkwagen Polo BlueMotion Concept

Volkswagen used the first press conference of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show to reveal its all new B-segment 2010 Polo in a variety of flavors. The Polo is expected to hit US shores in the next two years, but European dealers will begin taking orders this week. In a pleasant change of pace, VW managed to chop the body weight of the Polo by 7.5% compared to the old model and European buyers get a choice of seven different engines including three new common rail TDIs. The engines span the range from 59 to 103 hp and include an updated BlueMotion model that gets 61.9 mpg (US).

US drivers will likely start off with the new 1.2L TSI gas engine. Direct injection and turbocharging bring this little beastie to 103 hp while getting 42.8 mpg (US) combined. That's a 19% jump over the equivalently powered previous-gen. model. The gearboxes for the Polo include a new seven-speed DSG which could make this handsome little hatch a very serious competitor to the Honda Fit in the fun to drive arena. The new Polos will be available in June of this year.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

Continue reading Geneva 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

Geneva 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Polo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkwagen Polo

Volkswagen is trotting out its new fifth-generation Polo at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow, but we've got a slew of details and images of the new model to share today. Looking very much like a shrunken Pygmy Golf, it may take a trained eye to tell the difference between VW's newest hatchback and the current one at first glance. Volkswagen's keen to point out that the new Polo is a full 7.5% lighter than the outgoing model despite growing in every meaningful dimension, and it's still expected to score a perfect 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash testing.

In Germany, the Polo will come with your choice of four gasoline and three diesel engines, many equipped with turbochargers and direct injection. VeeDub's latest 7-speed DSG transmission will also be available on select models. The most frugal trim will carry the BlueMotion badge and attain 62 mpg (U.S.) in European combined testing with just 96 grams CO₂ per kilometer, which makes it the most fuel efficient diesel-burning 5-seater in the world.

Sales are slated to begin in Germany by the end of June with the rest of Europe coming just two weeks later. In case you missed it earlier, the Polo is finally coming to America, possibly as early as 2010, so VW definitely has our interest piqued. Check out our image gallery below and read the official press release after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo

Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S.-bound 2011 Volkswagen Polo headed to Geneva

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's continuing push into the U.S. market could be called Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. "New" would be the coming mid-sized sedan, "borrowed" would be the Routan, "blue" would be BlueSport, and "old" would be the VW Polo. The version of the Polo we'll be getting in 2011 is expected to be at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Since it is coming to the U.S. and VW will need to convert American buyer to the idea of a supermini, we are looking for it to be a beautiful leap forward over the current MkV.

Gallery: Volkswagen Polo

[Source: AutoWeek]

U.S.-bound 2011 Volkswagen Polo headed to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: VW Polo coming to the U.S.

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkwagen Polo

According to Automotive News, Volkswagen has determined that Americans might like a Polo, so it's bringing the 80-hp subcompact Stateside in the not-too-distant future. Until now, the importation of the Polo was all conjecture, but now we have confirmation, straight from the horse's mouth. No specifics were given about the diminutive hatchback's U.S. debut, but Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby confirmed they think the time is right. The automaker feels that Americans are more open to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles following the summer of high gas prices and the struggling economy.

The car, which would slot in between the Toyota Yaris and the larger Honda Fit in size, could be built at the company's plant in Puebla, Mexico. Although they've never sold anything smaller than the Rabbit/Golf in the States, VW thinks the Polo could help them reach their goal of tripling U.S. sales over the next ten years. The latest genereation of the Polo is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but it's unclear if we will be getting that model or its predecessor. We just hope the Polo GTI version is in the cards.

Gallery: Volkswagen Polo

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

CONFIRMED: VW Polo coming to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More of the Same: Volkswagen Polo GTI rumormill swirls

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Click above to view the current Volkswagen Polo GTI in our hi-res image gallery

The interwebs were all alight like Times Square last night with reports of a new Polo GTI on the way. According to Auto Express, the mini-GTI will upgrade on the upcoming replacement for the current Polo with all manner of GTI-trademarked upgrades, from sport seats to the black grille with red stripe, with power provided by the same 1.4-liter twin-charged TSI four as the upcoming SEAT Ibiza Cupra and driving 178hp through a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG to reach sixty in about seven seconds.

Sounds good, though we're not likely to get the Polo in the American market, in regular or sport versions, for the foreseeable future. What the reports apparently neglect to mention, however, in their enthusiasm for a revived Polo GTI, is that Volkswagen already makes one. The current Polo GTI revived the model in late 2005 with a 1.8-liter turbo four offering up 148hp. Because that didn't measure up against the competition, VW came out with the Cup Edition that boosted output up to 178hp, the same output which Auto Express pegs for the new version. If the new Polo GTI does indeed bow this year in Frankfurt, we'll be on hand to bring it to you live, but one thing's for sure: Wolfsburg will hardly be reinventing the wheel if and when it does.

[Source: Auto Express]

More of the Same: Volkswagen Polo GTI rumormill swirls originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Volkswagen Polo could get the Scirocco treatment

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

As reported previously, Volkswagen is about to undergo a design renaissance that puts a premium on simplicity, style and, apparently, more Scirocco design cues. According to AutoExpress, the first model to benefit from Walter Da'Silva's new dictum is the 5th generation Polo, which is expected to go on sale sometime next year sporting a new front end inspired by the recently released Scirocco.

The new model is based off the PQ25 small car platform that currently underpins the SEAT Ibiza. As such, the dimensions will remain, but the interior will be larger and will include upmarket materials, soft-touch surfaces, a Scirocco-inspired dash, MP3 inputs, Bluetooth connectivity and the possibility of a sat-nav docking station that allows portable units to be removed on the go.

A range of gasoline and diesel mills, including 1.4- and 1.6-liter FSI fours, a supercharged, 138 hp 1.4-liter and a 168 hp GTI version, will provide motivation and all models will have the option of being fitted with VW's new seven-speed DSG. Expect three- and five-door models to be released at launch and then joined by a coupe-cabrio version sometime in 2010.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Next Volkswagen Polo could get the Scirocco treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW may sell small, turbocharged vehicles for $13k in the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Volkswagen

click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up! Space concept

Volkswagen may be serious about returning to its "people's car" roots by importing a small vehicle to the U.S. with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine. Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told Automotive News that something like the Polo could fly here in the States, as well as "lifestyle" vehicles like the smart and MINI, and something he described as a "little bit SUV-looking and a little van."

The inclusion of a new, economical model into Volkswagen's lineup could be based around the up! concepts that have made appearances on the auto show circuit this past year, and Jacoby hopes that pricing could be set in the $13,000 to $14,000 realm. The move is in an effort to capitalize on American's supposed desire for more fuel-efficient models that won't break the bank and cause less cringing at the pumps. However, despite Jacoby's comments about small vehicles, VW is still contemplating a return of the Phaeton to the U.S. - something that's directly opposed to its desire of become a more affordable marque for the masses.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept

Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept

VW may sell small, turbocharged vehicles for $13k in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion to appear in Geneva

Erin Mays — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show will play host to Volkswagen's "most economical Polo ever," according to the automaker. The 1.4L diesel engine has its emissions cleaned up by a standard diesel particulate filter and is amazingly fuel-efficient: it uses less than 4 liters of fuel per 100 km.

It will go on sale this summer in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

(Danke for the tip, Christian)

[Source: GermanCarBlog.com]

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion to appear in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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