PoloDriver

In addition to the rumoured new Polo variants still to come, does the news that Volkswagen has acquired the now defunct Karmann production site signal a revivial of the Polo Cabriolet idea? The German car maker is reportedly opening a new car factory in 2011 on the Osnabrück site where the once-legendary coachbuilder built original Beetle and Mk 1 and Mk 3 Golf open-tops and has not only bought land, but the machinery and equipment, too.

VW has said that a new car will be built there and many industry insiders point to this being the production version of the BlueSport concept car, seen earlier this year. Reports also hint at a new generation of the evergeen Golf Cabriolet. A drop-top Polo has also been mooted before, and with the high level of interest in the new generation, an open-air model would undoubtedly be a halo car for the range, in addition to adding some good old-fashioned glamour.

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On sale now, the Christmas 2009 issue of What Diesel magazine tests the new Polo SE TDI against the Ford Fiesta Titanium TDCi. The pair have a long sparring history and both are reviewed here in 1.6 TDI guise. While the Ford features more radical styling, the Polo favours a conservative look, also giving away 14bhp to the small car from the blue oval. In the latest duel, the Polo scores highly, but does it come out on top? Buy the issue to find out. Should you need another incentive, also inside is a first look at the latest range of Volkswagen BlueMotion models, of which the new 1.2 TDI Polo BlueMotion is one.

The latest issue of motoring weekly Auto Express tests the new Citroën C3 against its rivals this week, one of which is the SE TDI version of the new Polo. The other formidable opponents in the contest which features five sections – costs, interior, performance, space and styling – include the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and the Polo’s in-house rival, the SEAT Ibiza. There’s little to choose between them, but summing up, the magazine states that ‘The conservative Polo isn’t going to win sales for its style or driver appeal, but it makes real financial sense. Competitive prices and class-leading residuals stand out, while kit is decent.’ Which car wins? Buy issue 1,092 (on sale until Tuesday) to find out.

[Images: Auto Express]

Until the dawn of the internet, did we know what went on behind the scenes of our favourite TV shows or commercials? Following the recent posting of First Frame Films’ clip of the making of the new Polo ‘Ready For A New Class’ TV spot, is this one which shows what went on behind the cameras shooting the Grease/Back To The Future-inspired and 1950s-themed ‘Cool’ commercial. It would appear that it was created for the Spanish market if the official-looking caption and design of this short film is anything to go by. There’s no making of stats this time, but it looked fun filming it all the same. If you missed it, catch the finished TV spot here.

Polo in European Car of the Year 2010 winner shock. Yes, the fifth-generation of Volkswagen’s supermini has gone and done it. Snatching victory from the clutches of the Toyota iQ, the Polo was announced the winner today in Madrid. Beating 33 contenders for the title, it drove over the six other finalists with its total of 347 points.

We’re still reeling in surprise. Volkswagen must be more than happy – it’s the latest accolade for its new baby and will do nothing to harm already booming sales. It’s not the first time a Volkswagen has taken the gong (the last was the Series 3 Golf in 1992 which beat the Citroën ZX and Vauxhall Astra), but it is a CoTY debut win for the Polo. It beat the innovative Toyota iQ by a mere 10 points.

Fifty-nine European motoring journalists make up the voting committee with 25 points to allocate each. The Polo received 25 selections as the number one car, 5 more than the iQ and received 59 scoring votes in total from the 59-strong judging panel; the baby Toyota ended up with a very close 58.

Professor Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen Group said: ‘The new Polo stands for German engineering craftsmanship and superior cutting edge technology. The fifth-generation Polo was designed to address customer expectations with even greater uncompromising standards. That is why we are naturally very pleased to see our efforts validated in the form of this award.’

Hakan Matson, president of the jury, had this to say at the award ceremony in Madrid: ‘It was the Polo’s comprehensive safety equipment and its advanced range of engines that impressed us the most. On the Polo BlueMotion, Volkswagen was also able to add a very fuel-efficient yet affordable car to its car programme.’

The full list of winners in order of their placings in the final reckoning is as follows:

1 Volkswagen Polo, 347 points
2 Toyota iQ, 337 points
3 Vauxhall Astra, 221 points
4 Škoda Yeti, 158 points
5 Mercedes E-class, 155 points
6 Peugeot 3008, 144 points
7 Citroën C3 Picasso, 113 points