Volkswagen Polo Mk4

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Volkswagen Polo Mk4
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Production 2002–present
Predecessor Volkswagen Polo Mk3
Successor None
Class Supermini
Body style(s) 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Platform Volkswagen Group A04 (PQ24)
Related SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Córdoba
Škoda Fabia
Volkswagen Polo Mk4 (pre-facelift)
Volkswagen Polo Mk4 (pre-facelift)
Volkswagen Polo Mk4 (post-facelift)
Volkswagen Polo Mk4 (post-facelift)
Volkswagen CrossPolo
Volkswagen CrossPolo
Polo GTI Cup Edition at Essen 2006
Polo GTI Cup Edition at Essen 2006

The Volkswagen Polo Mk4 is the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini, produced by the German automaker Volkswagen since late 2001.

Contents

[edit] History

Launched in September 2001, the fourth generation Polo (internal designation Typ 9N) was made available in early 2002. In keeping with VW's aim of floor pan sharing it shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk3 and Škoda Fabia. The car is all new, and bears more structural resemblance to the 6K than the 6N, outwardly the most recognisable change is the quad round headlights similar to the Volkswagen Lupo. At a length of 3900 mm (153.5 in), it is larger than the first generation of its larger sibling, the 3820 mm (150.4 in) Volkswagen Golf Mk1.

The car was available with several engines: a 1.2 L three-cylinder petrol engine with 55 PS (40 kW) or 64 PS (47 kW) (depending on the number of valves per cylinder, two or four) and a 16-valve 1.4 L 4-cylinder with 75 or 100  (55 or 74 kW) petrol engine, the last one on the 16V-badged model. New TDI PD turbodiesel units were introduced, a 1.9 L with 100 PS (74 kW) and a three-cylinder 1.4 L model (the 1.9 with one cylinder less) with 75 PS (55 kW). A sporty 1.9 TDI PD model, named Polo GT, was launched in 2004, with 130 PS (96 kW).

Sales in the UK were disappointing, and in 2005 it finished in the bottom 10 of the Top Gear survey - in the supermini sector, only the Fiat Punto was more disappointing to own.

Volkswagen Racing part of VW Motorsport rallied a Polo S1600 in the 2003 JWRC winning the Turkish round, the Super 1600 developed 165 kW (215 hp) to its front wheels.

[edit] Models and specifications

The model range includes the norm for current VW's from the Comfortline to the Trendline and Highline, whilst featuring an extense list of extras that had now become norm in mid-sized small cars. Items such as ABS, power steering, front and side air bags and front and rear head restraints were standard on all models and ESP, brake assistance, air conditioning, satellite navigation etc. were optional on higher spec models.

There was also a mini SUV version of the Polo with off-road styling named Polo Fun (Polo Dune in the UK), but despite its appearance the car was never available with four-wheel drive. A sedan version, called Polo Classic, is produced in Brazil, South Africa and China and exported to the rest of Latin America. The Chinese version has the distinction of being the first Chinese-built car to be produced in right hand drive.

Dimension (mm):

  • Length: 3897
  • Width: 1650
  • Height: 1465
  • Wheelbase: 2460

[edit] 2005 facelift (Typ 9N3)

In 2005, the Typ 9N was facelifted to create the Mk4F, with new headlights, taillights and a different hatch, which resemble other recent models in Volkswagen's lineup. The Typ 9N3 was designed by Walter de'Silva and comes in six different trims, ranging from the basic 'E' model to the 'GTI'. Like its predecessor, the standard models uses the same engine range from the 1.2 L 55 PS (40 kW) 3-cylinder engine to the 100 PS (99 hp/74 kW) TDI engine.

Volkswagen also announced the successor of the Polo Fun mini MPV, now called "CrossPolo", still missing four-wheel drive.

Dimension (mm):

  • Length: 3926
  • Width: 1650
  • Height: 1465
  • Wheelbase: 2460

[edit] Polo GTI

Main article: Volkswagen Polo GTI

With the introduction of the Polo Mk4, the Polo GTI Mk3 was discontinued and was given no direct replacement. It was not until late 2005 that the Polo GTI was reintroduced. It was unveiled on October 21, 2005 at the Australian International Motor Show. It featured a 20-valve turbocharged 1.8-litre 150 PS (110 kW) petrol engine which had been used in models such as the Golf GTI Mk4 and the Škoda Octavia.

Its styling bears some resemblance to the Mk5 Golf GTI, with a blacked out central "scoop" in the bumper surrounding the honeycomb grille. This new model the xenon headlights and fully digital climate control as optionals, unlike the Polo GTI Mk3 which feaured them as standard. Although faster than the previous model, the Polo GTI Mk4 is less powerful than the top versions of the Renault Clio, BMW MINI and SEAT Ibiza, most of which come with engines with a maximum output above 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW). This led Volkswagen to quickly beef up the Polo further to create the Polo GTI Cup Edition, which was tuned to around 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW) and featured more aggressive styling.

In 2006, VW released the Polo BlueMotion which has a fuel consumption of 3.9 L per 100 km and the Polo GTI Cup Edition with 132 kW (180 hp), which sprinted to 0-100 km (0-62 mph) in 7.5 seconds.

VW Racing in South Africa rallied a Super 2000 Polo, which shared some components with its sister World Rally Car Škoda Fabia. Its 2.0-litre engine delivered a maximum output of 191 kW (260 hp).

Rumors - all unsubstantiated as of yet - persist that this Polo will be the one that finally arrives in North America as a true entry-level car for that market, below the new Rabbit. Volkswagen fans in the United States and Canada have been clamoring for the Polo to be added to the North American VW lineup for years.

[edit] References


[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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