Fresh Polo unwrapped

The VW Polo has never been the most exciting supermini on the planet, but its strength has always been in its association with cast iron VW build quality and residuals - often justified, but sometimes not. VW claims to have made this new version the 'smaller Golf' it always purported to be (though not in those words, exactly).

What's all the fuss about?

It's actually about the BlueMotion version, as it happens. The Polo looks classy in the metal - every inch a Golf mini-me for those who don't quite need the space - but also none-too-exciting. Even plonking it alongside edgy pop starlet Pink onstage couldn't make it any racier. However, as a buying prospect, the Polo's stock has just been raised tangibly...

Anything that stands out?

The new Polo is both bigger and lighter than its predecessor and the quality has taken another step up, with soft-touch plastics everywhere and options like touch screen satnav and DSG transmission available. It's also cleaner in general thanks to 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and a clean 1.6-litre diesel with 74bhp or 89bhp. But the BlueMotion variant steals the show: it manages 74mpg and 96g/km of CO₂ - and there'll be an even cleaner one in 2010, capable of 85mpg and 87g/km. Phew.

When can I buy one?

The order book opens in the summer with first deliveries expected in October this year, though Volkswagen has stopped short of announcing prices just yet. Obviously there'll be an incremental rise and the spec sheet will feature some expensive options: spec yours with DSG and satnav, for example, and you can expect another £3k added to the price.

(Extra pictures by United Pictures)

Mark Nichol