WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen is introducing a new-generation Cross Polo at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show as the fourth model in its revamped B-segment range. The 2011 Volkswagen Cross Polo goes on sale in Germany in May, followed by the rest of Europe and Japan.
A crossover-styled version of the standard VW Polo that launched last year, the Cross Polo will join the upcoming Polo BlueMotion and the 2011 Polo GTI, which also bows at Geneva.
The five-door VW Cross Polo emulates the look of true off-roaders without all the extra hardware. Its ride height has been raised a mere 0.6 inch, and it has been fitted with foglamps, black plastic wheel-arch extensions and body sills, silver-painted anodized roof rails and oversize 17-inch wheels and tires.
VW will offer a range of three gasoline and three diesel TDI engines, ranging in output from 68 to 103 horsepower. Three of the engines can be ordered with VW's seven-speed DSG automated manual transmission; a conventional six-speed manual is standard.
The Cross Polo's cabin features a steering wheel and parking brake lever wrapped in stitched, perforated leather, as well as aluminum pedal caps, chrome accents and height-adjustable sport seats in two-tone fabrics. One of the seat trim options is "Latte Macchiato."
Inside Line says: Everybody, and we mean everybody, drives a VW Polo in Germany, so there's plenty of room in the line for this niche "Outback" version. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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8str8rollin says:
11:11 PM, 02/19/2011
This thing looks almost identical to the Suzuki SX4 in size and design, but with styling changes ala Volkswagen!
Seriously..... I wonder if Volkswagen is using the SX4 as the base of this car? Sure looks like it to me. That's not to say that is a bad thing, since it would allow Volkswagen to sell the car at a much lower price than if Volkswagen were to come up with it's own design from the ground up. Suzuki has a much better manufacturing cost than Volkswagen so if Volkwagen just dressed up a Suzuki SX4 with Volkswagen clothes that would be a win/win for both companies.
ateixeira says:
12:54 PM, 03/04/2010
I think you're right about this costing too much should they bring it here.
It would slot between the Suzuki SX4 and the Subaru Outback Sport, but VW would push the price into the $20s, and it wouldn't do any volume.
The Tiguan is small enough, I don't think they need a smaller crossover than that.
dreston says:
01:30 PM, 02/22/2010
This is very nice looking. As a current '09 Honda Fit owner, I see this and have a little envy. This car, as most VW's do imo, looks great. However, I have trouble believing that this would fit into the same price segment as the Fit/3/Versa crowd. Maybe I just expect Germans to always tack on $4-5k over their Japanese competition. Yes, the materials may be a little higher quality but in this segment, the overall motivation is value. I didn't move into the econobox market to drop $25k on a new car. My '09 Fit Sport auto w/ Navigation is the most fully-loaded Fit, with CA state tax, out the door was under $20k. I don't see that happening with this VW.
donzifile says:
07:15 AM, 02/20/2010
Very cool, much nicer than the original boring little econo box Polo's of the past. I've driven VW's, Saabs, and Jeeps for years, I've always found it frustrating the US market doesn't get the motor and model variants Europe gets. The 1.4 Turbo lis fuel efficient gutsy little motor and I would like to see come here. Although I own the current Jetta 2.5, I didn't buy for the bland styling or grim interior, it's gutsy, spacious and handles pretty well, not a GTI, but well all the same. I didn't understand why the 2010 Jetta didn't receive the most recent face lilt, which I think is vast improvement, with subtle interior improvements including more supportive seats. The 2011 Jetta show car is drop dead gorgeous, as good looking as the Audi A5 in many ways, it's a winner, don't change anything, sometimes VW goes out of it's way to design less exciting cares than Audi, stop it and go for it, not all of us can afford Audis.
herrstreet says:
05:06 PM, 02/19/2010
I would say, for the US market mind you, give it at least another inch of ground clearance, some higher profile tires so it rides more forgivingly, and keep it price competitive. It would sell. It's very nice looking.
I agree that a "plus" version would be a good alternative but I don't believe that there is one.
juan_mx says:
01:26 PM, 02/19/2010
Oops..... I am wrong, this is the same body as the regular Polo.
The one with a taller body is the Cross Golf (based on the Golf Plus). I apologize for my mistake
This Polo it does not have more room inside,
yet it may be a good alternative to the Fit, Fiesta, or Versa.
juan_mx says:
12:45 PM, 02/19/2010
This could be a good car to bring to the US.
It is in the category of the Fit, the Versa, the fiesta, and other small hatchbacks, even Suzuki's SX4.
Since it is the tall version of the Polo, it has a lot of room inside.
The tall versions of small hatchbacks do not feel as small as the regular ones.