VW Polo a great all rounder

The Polo is not a coupe, but Volkswagen's designers definitely had their beautiful Scirocco in mind as inspiration when they finalised the look of the new hatchback. There's a crease along the side of the Polo that links the headlight to the tail-light and sweeps below the windows on the way, giving the new VW a Scirocco-esque cut to its profile. Like a lady in a beautiful dress, it will be capable of turning heads! VW has sold 11 million Polos since it introduced the car in 1975 and has high hopes for this, the latest model, and a spin from Arva to Ballinagh and back to Brady's garage via Crossdoney confirmed that it can live up to expectations. The test car was the entry level model, which has a modest 1.2 litre petrol engine and the Trend level of specification, and if it's any indication, the rest of the Polo range will sell as fast as Brady's can get them into the showroom. The little 1.2 litre has only three cylinders and 60bhp, but it produces a rorty sound that belies its size and it zips along with little fuss. If mechanical devices can be said to have a character, then this one knows its own mind. It pulls strongly and doesn't take fright at the sight of a hill: instead it just gets on with the job of climbing. It doesn't gain a lot of speed on the way up (it's only a 1.2 litre, don't forget) but it doesn't lose revs either - an indication of the torque that Volkswagen engines are known for - and gets you to the top efficiently. The Polo can tear along the smaller roads with gusto and rides the bumps and potholes as if they're hardly there. It's assured in the bends, even on the greasy, wet roads we have to put up with for an Irish winter, and inspires confidence everywhere. When the road improves, like that stretch between Ballinagh and Crossdoney, the little 1.2 litre lifts its skirts with surprising pace and before you know it, you're easily pushing along at the national speed limit, thanks to fairly long, but well chosen, gear ratios. You wouldn't think you're driving the smallest engined version in the range when you look at the speedo. But it's in town that this car will come into its own, thanks to its compact dimensions and the short overhangs beyond the front and rear wheels. That means it is easy to park and manoeuvre, while the excellent steering eases tight turns on busy streets and packed car parks. VW territory Inside, whether you're in the town or in the country, you'll feel like you're in familiar VW territory. It's not the most exciting, it has to be said, but the quality is there, it's clean and clear and the ergonomics are excellent. One thing many manufacturers overlook is the radio controls, but not VW; as in other models it's simple and straightforward, so when Lorraine Keane on NewsTalk started to discuss weaning children off breastfeeding during the test drive last Thursday afternoon, it took the briefest moment to find an alternative station! The channels are marked by name on the digital readout and the large, easy to press button below each one selects it, which means you don't have to scroll through a list or foother about with tiny buttons. Other car manufacturers and designers should take note of Volkswagen's ergonomics, as one of the most distracting things for a driver is to have to take the eyes off the road to turn something on or off or up or down. Safety demands that controls in cars are easy to find and easy to use, not fiddly little switches that are hard to see. Volkswagen has cut emissions and fuel economy across the Polo range by 15% for petrols and almost 20% for diesels, so the 60bhp 1.2 litre engine in the test car needs just 5.5 litres of fuel every 100km (comfortably over 50 miles to the gallon). Its CO2 rating is 128, which means owners will pay road tax of just €156 a year. All the facts and figures add up with the new Polo, from safety to economy, and from running costs to pleasure of ownership. It's a great all rounder that can hold its own in any company, and there's a huge range of options and engines to choose from. Call Bradys Arva on 049-4335115 for more information.