Prices & Details: 2015 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

South Africans might have had to wait 21 years for the Volkswagen Polo to reach our shores after its initial launch in Europe way back in 1975, but that hasn’t prevented it from becoming a favourite of many.

The Polo hatch is the second best-selling passenger car in South Africa, after the Polo Vivo, and the fact that the Polo brand is celebrating its 40th birthday this year is testament to its ability to answer to consumer demands.

The introduction last week of four new models to the Polo range — with a new 1.4 TDI engine (tuned to either 55kW or 77kW) and the BlueMotion with a 1.0 TSI engine with 70kW (a first for Volkswagen) — now completes the 11 model lineup, which was refreshed as recently as June last year. First up, a look at what was definitely my pick of the engine derivatives on offer at the launch —the 1.0 TSI BlueMotion.

It took only a short time behind the wheel to discover what driving pleasure this new three-cylinder engine could deliver. A Considerable 70kW of power, CO2 emissions of 97g/km, a top speed of 191km/h and a fuel consumption of 4.2 litres per 100km (claimed) are mighty impressive statistics. It’s not only on paper that the TSI BlueMotion grabs your attention, but also in real-time driving conditions.

On the open road and with cruise control set to the national speed limit, it simply purred along with no change-down from the five-speed manual gearbox called for. For the BlueMotion, design changes have been made to the radiator grille and under body to improve aerodynamics. Other contributors towards making this a more fuel-efficient vehicle include the stop/start system, regenerative braking and a gear-change indicator for the driver. A rear spoiler has also been fitted.

It’s priced at R235 800, and some consumers may balk at the thought of paying that much money for a 1-litre vehicle. But it’s only on paper that you will find reference to its 999cc capacity, for on the road it punches way above that. It also comes with a comprehensive range of features in terms of safety, technology and convenience. But as impressive as the BlueMotion was, the new three-cylinder 1.4 TDI engine (previously 1.6 litre) was less so.

At the launch we had the 77kWtuned model, which has a top speed of 194km/h and does the classic sprint to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds. With a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.1 litres per 100km, it has figures very similar to the BlueMotion.

My first grumble relates to the level of engine noise— this is definitely not one of the more refined oil-burners around. This is surprising, considering how far diesel engines have progressed in the past decade. Second, it felt nowhere near as responsive as the BlueMotion, with perhaps the altitude of the Highveld sapping some of its oomph. On the open road I was happy enough, but around town I found myself having to work the five- speed manual gearbox to keep the revs up.

Prices and Details

1.0 TSI 70kW BlueMotion , Engine: 999cc three-cylinder , Power: 70kW at 5 000rpm , Torque: 160Nm at 1 500rpm, 0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds, Top speed: 191km/h, Fuel consumption: 4.2l/ 100km CO2: 97 g/k m, Price: R235 800.

1.4 TDI 55kW and 77 kW, Engine: 3 cylinder 1.4 litre, Power: 55kW at 3 000rpm; 77kW at 3 500rpm, Torque: 210Nm at 1 500rpm; 250Nm at 1 500rpm, 0-100km/h: 12.9 seconds; 9.9 seconds, Top speed: 173 km/h; 194 km/h, Fuel consumption: 4 .1 l/100km; 4.2l/ 100km, CO2:108g/km; 109g/km.

Price: R223 500 (Trendline); R252 000 (Highline); R260 000 (Cross) Comes standard with a three-year or 45 000km service plan and a three-year or 120 000km warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.

-Bruce Fraser

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