PoloDriver

It’s now in dealers across the country and available on our roads (though I haven’t seen any) and still the new Polo is appearing in the UK motoring weeklies at an encouraging frequency. This week it’s the turn of the new BlueMotion and the 74bhp 1.6 TDI SE.

Autocar has published a first drive of the production version of the new eco Polo, saying that it’s better than ever before, even if it’s not as clean as it could be (left-hand drive cars stick with 87g/km of emissions as per the concept version, whereas right hookers are saddled with 3g/km more due to the relocation of the catalyst and diesel particulate filter in relation to the engine).

Auto Express meanwhile have announced the 40 least-depreciating new cars on sale, and even though it’s only just available to buyers, the new Polo has scooped the honours in the closely-fought supermini class, beating rivals such as the SEAT Ibiza and Mazda 2. The magazine states the £13,205 Polo 1.6 TDI SE five-door is the safest supermini financial bet, holding onto over 54.1% of its value over three years, when it will be worth £7,144. Read what other attributes make the Polo top of the supermini residual value tree here.

The print-based editions of both titles are on sale now until Wednesday, and carry a cover date of 3 November, along with first drives of the tasty and performance-orientated VW coupé, the Scirocco R.

The chaps at autoevolution subjected the 1.6 TDI version of the new Polo to a truly thorough road test back in August, but we only stumbled across it this week. It’s one of the most thorough we think we’ve seen, with exterior, interior, drive (in and out of the city), comfort, technical aspects and gadgets all appraised on a stylish and clean website, magazine-like in its looks.

As if those weren’t reasons enough to pop over and have a look, the photos of the new car turn the website’s test from a might-do into a definite must-see. Beautifully shot, there are 43 shots of the new Polo’s exterior alone, both static and dynamic, driving around the sort of urban and countryside landscapes it should now be inhabiting.

They appear to be thoroughly good guys, too. Stop off here to read the Polo 1.6 TDI 75 test and say hello.

[Image: autoevolution]

Still they slowly drip online. Two more new Polo tests have appeared on the internet this week. Motoring weekly Autocar has been driving the 59bhp 1.2 Moda, while respected monthly Car has been evaluating the 1.4 SE.

The findings of both tests have been posted on the websites of both titles and they’re both largely favourable. Autocar says of the Moda: ‘This model is most likely to be used as an urban runabout and at that it excels. But its accomplished levels of performance, refinement, and character, as well as its ability to raise the odd smile, will also please those venturing outside the city.’

Meanwhile Car reports that the bigger-engined SE ‘is a great little car, tops for refinement and finish, the class act if acting classy is what you’re after.’ Click here to read the full Car test and view the results of the Autocar drive here.

Fresh from the UK press launch in the week, UK motoring weekly Autocar has published an online first drive of one of our favourite new Polo models, the 1.4 DSG. Tested in top SEL form, the magazine was impressed by the technology of the seven-speed, double-clutch gearbox and the mature, quality feel of the latest version of Volkswagen’s premium supermini. Read the full first drive here.

Hot on the heels of revelations concerning the possible introduction of new Polo MPV, estate and convertible versions at last week’s Frankfurt motor show, well-respected UK motoring weekly Autocar reported yesterday that Volkswagen could launch a GTD version of the newcomer, similar to the 168bhp model in the Golf range.

The magazine claims that a company source has said the German giant ‘wouldn’t rule it out’. The same source stated that although it’s still early days for the new Polo, a performance diesel version could sit happily alongside the 200bhp GTI when that car is launched in spring 2010.

Autocar has also tested the new mid-range Polo 1.2 SE and given it four stars out of five in this week’s issue on sale today. Pick up a copy at all good newsagents, or if you prefer to get your reading kicks digitally, view the highlights of the in-depth road test online here.