Monday, August 18, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Polo Fun











Volkswagen Polo Mk IV (2001-2005)

Launched in September 2001, the all-new 9N (Mk IV) model was put on sale in early 2002. In keeping with VW's aim of floor pan sharing it shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk 3 and Å koda Fabia. The car is all new, and bears more structural resemblance to the 6K than the 6N, outwardly the most recognisible change is the quad round headlights similar to the VW Lupo. At a length of 3.90 m, it is larger than the first generation of its larger sibling, the 3.82 m Mk 1 Golf.

The car was available with several engines: a 1.2 L three cylinder engine with 55 PS (40 kW) or 64 kW (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) engine, the last one on the 16V-badged model. New TDI PD 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).

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 offroad 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, was produced in Brazil, South Africa and China and exported to the rest of Latin America, and Australia. The Chinese version has the distinction of being the first Chinese-built car to be produced in right hand drive.

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.

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