Going Japanese:
New Volkswagen Polo hits the Far East
Hot in the tyre tracks of its latest successful launch in Australia, the New Polo has just hit the streets of Japan. On sale in the Far Eastern country since 1982, the revised version of Volkswagen’s evergreen supermini costs 2,239,000 Yen, around €16,329 or £12,909 with current exchange rates.
That buys Japanese drivers a New Polo Comfortline five-door powered by the revised model’s 89bhp 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged engine, coupled to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Much the same as Australia, Europe, India, South Africa and the UK then. Interestingly, the mid-range five-door SE with the same engine and gearbox costs £14,960 in the UK.
On the outside, it’s a familiar story, too, with the Japanese New Polo gaining the same subtly refreshed exterior tweaks as its cousins in other countries. The same grown-up safety kit is available, too, including the Adapative Cruise Control and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.
The new car also gets the interior upgrades applied to other markets. The Japanese version of the New Polo will fight its corner against the Ford Fiesta and Renault’s Clio, known in the Far East as the Lutecia. To find out details of exact specifications and options, visit the Volkswagen Japan website here.