PoloDriver

Extended family: new Polo range could expand to include MPV, cabrio and estate. Three-door GTI to confirmed for 2010 with a firecracking 200bhp

The 63rd IAA Frankfurt (the 2009 Frankfurt motor show to you and us) opened its doors today, and fresh from the halls, UK motoring weekly Autocar reports that once-dead variants of the new Polo could be resurrected. In an exclusive interview with Dr Ulrich Hackenburg, VW’s product chief, a new MPV, cabrio and estate could all be still to come.

It’s been reported elsewhere that a new four-door saloon of the new car would be built in China, India and Russia for local consumption, but it may also now be offered to European markets (including the UK), too. One or other of the MPV and estate will come as well, both based on the notchback.

One model that definitely is coming, and one that we reported on just last week, is the new high-performance Polo GTI. Autocar also reports that tests on a 200bhp version have been taking place at the Nürburgring, ahead of a late 2010 launch. Standard kit could include a DSG gearbox with paddle-shifts and an electronic limited-slip differential, similar to the Golf GTI’s XDS system.

In a final twist, a 280bhp ‘Cup’ model could also be offered for limited sale. A 180bhp GTI Cup Edition version of the outgoing car was offered in European markets to tie in with the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup racing series, which has been visiting continental racing circuits since 2004.

Racing line: Polo GTI Cup Edition of 2006 had a 180bhp 1.8T engine, unique bodykit and interior, and was sold on mainland Europe in limited numbers

In a piece of equally encouraging news, Hackenburg declares that Volkswagen is determined to make the Polo ‘one of the most important Volkswagen models of all, rivalling the Golf in worldwide sales.’ About time, too. It’s only taken 34 years…

The new Polo has only just turned a wheel in anger and already there are rumours circulating about upcoming models. The German Car Blog reports today that leading German car news weekly Auto Motor und Sport has inside information on at least two still-to-come Polo variants.

The much-spectulated MPV version has been canned according to various sources, but updated flavours of both the CrossPolo (Polo Dune in the UK market) and GTI are very much still in the frame.

Little brother: new Polo GTI due in 2010 once again borrows its sharp styling from big brother Golf GTI, and will pack a 169bhp punch. Will a hardcore ‘R’ version follow?

As well as showing both the three-door and BlueMotion versions of the new Polo at the Frankfurt motor show next week, we think Volkswagen will unwrap the 169bhp TSI-engined GTI version at one of 2010’s major car expos; either Geneva in March or Paris in September.

A jacked-up two-wheel drive CrossPolo with SUV-like styling will also arrive, more than likely completing the new Polo model palette.

Faux-by-Four: upcoming two-wheel drive CrossPolo has inherited styling flourishes from its predecessor (Polo Dune in the UK) and will have both petrol and diesel engines

Head over here to read the (German) Auto Motor und Sport article, which also details other 2010 upcoming Volkswagen models.

(Pictures: Auto Motor und Sport)

Using the same car as sister motoring publication iMotor, leading UK car weekly Auto Express tests the new Polo this week against its main rivals. The newcomer is driven over 1,000 miles in SE TDI (74bhp) guise against the Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.6 TDCi, Renault Clio Dynamique 1.5 dCi 86 and the Mazda 2 Sport 1.6 D.

With all its rivals all-new models or at the very least revised in recent months, is it a walkover for the Polo? Not to spoil the overall verdict, we won’t spill the beans here, but we will say it wasn’t quite the walk in the park we were expecting…

To read the full group test buy the 9-15 September issue of Auto Express on sale at all good newsagents, or view online here.

[Picture: Auto Express]

Online-only magazine iMotor tests the new Polo against the Ford Fiesta, in its new issue out today. Threading the TDI version of the small VW through the streets of London, the interactive motoring publication also asks bystanders what their opinions are of the two cars.

You can watch the video road test and read the more detailed comments about the car, look through photos of the new Polo, as well as rating it or slating it by clicking here.