2011 VW Polo 66 TDI Comfortline video review NRMA Drivers Seat
Winner VW Polo 66 TSI
Each year, Australia's top motoring club experts put the most popular cars through their paces over hundreds of kilometres of rigorous road tests to determine Australia's Best Cars.
The cars, ranging from small to luxury cars and 4WDs, are tested on some of the country's harshest roads and measured on a range of criteria, including handling, safety, security and value.
The Australia's Best Cars awards program stands out from other car awards because the judging process incorporates as many measurable elements as possible. Basically, if it can be measured, it is. This is why ABC is considered the nation's most comprehensive and independent consumer focussed vehicle testing and awards program.
All information on the best cars program is made available to the public in a number of ways including the Australias Best Cars magazine, the motoring clubs' advisory services and Australias Best Cars website.
So how are the cars scored?
Well, it's no easy task, given that the field now compromises more than 300 new cars. The judging panel is made up of 10 club representatives from across the country who tests the cars using the strict ABC testing process.
There are three key areas which the judges consider:
value for money
design and function and
on the road.
Within each of these areas there are up to eight criteria. Each criterion is given a score between 1 and 10 with 10 being the highest possible score.
The scores are then weighted - critical, high, medium or low - according to their importance to the buyers in the relevant market segment.
In 2010, there were some important changes made to ABC, the first of which was the introduction of three more categories. This was needed to reflect the growing number of light and SUV vehicles in the market.
There 15 categories are as follows:
Best Light Car Under $20,000
Best Light Car Over $20,000
Best Small Car Under $35,000
Best Small Car Over $35,000
Best Medium Car Under $50,000
Best Medium Car Over $50,000
Best Large Car Under $60,000
Best Large Car Over $60,000
Best People Mover
Best Sports Car Under $80,000
Best Sports Car Over $80,000
Best SUV Under $40,000
Best SUV Over $40,000
Best Luxury SUV
Best All-Terrain Four-Wheel-Drive
Once the top three cars in each category have been decided the judges spend five days at a special driver facility in Angelsea, Victoria testing the three finalists against each other over a variety of road surfaces and a number of different exercises on the skid pan and high speed loops.
Finally, the judges sit down at the end of each day and nut out the winner of each car.
The 2010 NRMA representatives for ABC were Jaedene Hudson and Tim Pomroy.
NRMA's 7 Car Review ECO Comparison Test Video includes Toyota, Suzuki, Honda & Ford models
Check out the full results at http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/the-real-deal.htm
Join Jaedene Hudson and the team as NRMA tests seven alternative fuel cars in a real-world mega test. Which ones really live up to their claims? The results might surprise!
mynrma.com.au/nrmadriverseat
2011 VW Polo GTI Car Review & Road Test Video-NRMA
One of the most awarded small cars in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo, gains another sibling, the Polo GTI.
Consistent with current Volkswagen form, the new Polo GTI is more powerful than its predecessor, more fuel efficient, and yet these gains are achieved with a smaller capacity engine than that in the old model Polo GTI.
Under the bonnet of this latest Polo GTI (instead of a 1.8-litre turbo engine) resides Volkswagen's latest generation 1.4-litre twin charge powerplant.
Twin charging the engine means supercharging and turbocharging. This maximises the potential to wring the most power and torque. Co-incidentally it's the same size engine used in the current Golf range but with more power.
This latest GTI has more power (132kW) and torque (250Nm) -- up 22kW and 30Nm compared with its predecessor. Importantly, it achieves this but uses 24 per cent less fuel than the old GTI at 6.1 litres per 100km.
The Polo GTI feels as though it's inherited much of the Golf GTI DNA, right down to the 17-inch 'cookie cutter' or Denver style alloys -- the same size as the Golf GTI.
From the front the GTI badge sits on the trademark GTI honeycomb grille with larger air intakes incorporated in the front apron.
The Polo GTI sits 15mm lower compared with the rest of the range and a subtle colour-keyed roof spoiler and dual chrome Exhausts set the Polo GTI apart from the rest of the Polo models.
You can choose either a three or five- door body style. Price start from $27,790 for the three-door version.
You can't choose different transmissions though as interestingly no manual transmission is available. The all new Polo GTI's only gearbox choice is a seven--speed direct shift gearbox.
Slip inside the new Polo GTI and anyone familiar with Volkswagens will feel right at home. Surprise, surprise, it feels a lot like the Golf GTI right down to the funky tartan pattern fabric covering the sports seats.
All major controls are well laid out and the Polo GTI gains paddle shifts to maximise the performance potential from the seven-speed DSG.
There are detail trim changes compared with regular Polo models. The gloss black highlights on the centre console are contrasted with brushed aluminium air vent surrounds and internal door handles.
The contrast red stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear-shift lever and handbrake elevate the GTI from the standard Polo models. And, like the rest of the range, you can't question the quality look and feel inside with features like the audio system coming from the Golf and Passat range.
The sports seats have extra bolstering on the seat base, and backrest, and during our time behind the wheel (including a dash up Adelaide's Collingrove Hillclimb circuit) they proved to be exceptionally comfortable and supportive.
The key strength for any performance car is the engine and the Volkswagen group has one of the best ranges of high tech engines - both petrol and diesel - at its disposal. Engineers can seemingly mix and match a myriad of combinations. Under the hood of the Polo GTI is a 1.4-litre four cylinder twin charged engine pushing out 132kW of power with the aid of a Supercharger and turbocharger. The advantage of this combo is that the Supercharger builds power from low engine revs then once the engine revs reach 3200, the turbo kicks in to build power up to max revs. It may sound complicated but in reality it works seamlessly.
Accelerating hard up the ribbon of pavement at Collingrove Hillclimb and the diminutive engine spins up and comes on song immediately. The paddle shifts provide lightening quick upshifts.
Apart from overcooking it into a sharp right hander I managed a respectable time.
The Polo has grown in size and the GTI weighs in at 1189 kilos but the extra bulk hasn't hurt performance. The Polo GTI is 171 kilos lighter than big brother, the Golf GTI, and interestingly achieves the same 0-100kmh time of 6.9 seconds as the 2.0-litre GTI with less power.
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/reviews/car-reviews/volkswagen/5475.htm
Volkswagen Polo Review
The Polo isn't as much fun to drive as some supermini rivals, but few are as desirable. It's also affordable to buy and run, and should hold its value well.
Volkswagen Polo Hatchback - What Car?
Read the What Car? Volkswagen Polo review http://bit.ly/wBr2B6
The Volkswagen Polo combines a comfortable ride with secure handling and it's one of the classiest superminis around. Most versions are well priced.
The entry-level VW Polo models get underpowered and noisy 1.2-litre petrol engines. A Ford Fiesta is much more fun to drive.
Volkswagen Polo isn't as much fun to drive as some supermini rivals, but few are as desirable. It's also affordable to buy and run, and should hold its value well.
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Test VW Polo 1.6 TDI CR
Kurt Lotz präsentiert in der Motorshow TCS den neuen VW Polo 1.6 TDI CR.
Anschauen:
"Meine Autos sind geprägt von Einfachheit", sagt VW-Chefdesigner Walter De Silva in einem aktuellen Interview mit dem deutschen Fachmagazin "Auto, Motor und Sport". Beim neuen Polo wendet der vor einem Jahr in VW-Dienste getretene Ex-Alfa-Mann seine Design-Philosophie zum zweiten Mal an - nach dem Golf. Vor allem von vorne gleichen sich die beiden Modelle trotz des Grössenunterschieds denn auch aufs Haar. Dank dem De-Silva-Design mit seinen klaren Linien und feinen Kanten wirkt der neue Polo aber erwachsener als seine Konkurrenten.
Reinsitzen
Auch innen wirkt der Kleinwagen reifer. Beim Materialmix, den Farben und der Verarbeitungsqualität setzt der Polo neue Klassenstandards. Typisch VW: die gute Ergonomie. Alle wichtigen Bedienelemente sitzen da, wo man sie intuitiv erwartet. Trotz des leichten Wachstums in Länge und Breite ist das Platzangebot gleich geblieben. Der Polo ist und bleibt ein Kleinwagen - für Grossgewachsene wird es vorne (etwas) und hinten sehr eng.
Fahren
Unter der Haube unseres Testwagens sitzt ein neuer Dieselmotor - der 1,6-Liter-Commonrail feiert im Polo Premiere - leider aber nur die 75 PS starke Einsteigerversion. Der Vierzylinder vermag uns einzig beim Durchzug fahrleistungsmässig zu überzeugen. Für den Sprint von 0 auf Tempo 100 vergehen lange 14 Sekunden. Da fühlt man sich in die Pionierzeit der Diesel in den 70er-Jahren zurückversetzt, als die Selbstzünder noch ohne turbo auskommen mussten. Das können die kräftigeren Varianten des 1.6 TDI mit 90 und 105 PS sicher schneller. Dafür hat der schwächste Diesel ökologisch eine weisse Weste. 5,0 Liter Testverbrauch und ein CO2-Ausstoss von 109 g/km sind ein starkes Statement für den Umweltschutz. Ein Meisterwerk ist auch das Fahrwerk. Schon der Vorgänger war in Sachen Fahrkomfort und Fahrdynamik gut, der neue Polo ist aber souverän wie keiner im Kleinwagensegment. Beim gemütlichen Gleiten überzeugt der ausgewogene Federungskomfort, bei sportlicher Fahrweise die präzise Lenkung, das agile Einlenkverhalten und die geringe Seitenneigung.
Kaufen
Zwar gibt's den neuen VW Polo bereits ab 16'900 Franken. Die Basisausstattung "Trendline" und der 1,2-Liter-Benziner mit 60 PS dürfte der Schweizer Klientel aber kaum genügen. Doch auch unser Testwagen, der in der Variante "Comfortline" mindestens 24'150 Franken kostet, ist nicht vollständig ausgestattet: Denn für ESP ist nicht Serie. Wer die in anderen Kleinwagen zum Standard gehörende Antischleuderhilfe möchte, muss 720 Franken Aufpreis bezahlen.
Fazit
Mit dem neuen Polo ist VW ein guter Wurf gelungen. Bei den Kleinwagen ist er der neue Klassenbeste. Wenigstens in unseren Nachbarländern. Denn nur in der Schweiz muss man für ESP Aufpreis bezahlen.
Steckbrief
Motor/Antrieb: 1,6-Liter-Diesel, 4 Zylinder, 75 PS. 195 Nm, Frontantrieb, 5-Gang-Handschaltung
Fahrleistungen: 0 bis 100 km/h in 14,0 Sekunden, Spitze 170 km/h
Umwelt: Verbrauch Werk 4,2 l/100 km, Test 5,0 l/100 km, CO2-Ausstoss 109 g/km
Masse: LxBxH = 3,97x1,68x1,45 m, Kofferraum 280 bis 952 Liter, Gewicht 1160 kg
Serienausstattung (Comfortline): 6 Airbags, Klimaanlage, elektrische Fensterheber v/h, Radio/CD, u. a.
Preis: Testwagen 27 420 Franken, Basispreis 24 150 Franken.
Volkswagen Polo GTI review - CarBuyer
Full review at: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/polo/gti-hatchback/review
Climb inside the Volkswagen Polo GTI and you could easily mistake it for a Golf GTI, such is the upmarket feel of the cabin. Build quality is exceptionally high for a supermini and the cockpit is loaded with technology. Mounted on the back of the steering wheel, twin paddles operate the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and VW's clever traction control system sorts out the handling in sharp corners. The Polo GTI is a very desirable supermini but shares it's running gear with the cheaper Skoda Fabia vRS and SEAT Ibiza CUPRA, both offering similar specifications for less money. Under the bonnet the Polo GTI has a 1.4 TSI litre petrol engine which is both supercharged and turbocharged helping to provide impressive pace across the rev range without harming fuel consumption. Producing 178bhp, it catapults the Polo GTI from 0-62mph in a brisk 6.9 seconds.
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Test VW Polo
Der neue VW-Polo wurde auf Herz und Nieren getestet.
Volkswagen Polo 77TSI (2010)
Love is many things, key amongst which is forgiveness. Thanks to its sharp handling, lusty engine note, Golf-like interior and affordable pricing, we're willing to overlook that it's hard to drive smoothly when equipped with the dual-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen Polo 2009 TEST
Tym razem do redakcyjnych testów mojeauto.pl trafił zdobywca tytułu Car of the Year 2010. Sprawdziliśmy czy nowy Volkswagen Polo zasługuje na ten tytuł
