GENEVA 2012: VOLKSWAGEN SHOWS US POLO BLUEGT

The Volkswagen Polo BlueGT which was revealed at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show is positioned as a stylish, powerful, yet frugal mini hatch. It certainly has the makings to live up to this billing. Hopefully Volkswagen South Africa will strongly consider it as a replacement for the previous-generation Polo TDI which quietly slipped off the market when it began experiencing turbo breakages.

This Polo BlueGT though promises to be much more reliable and strong. It is positioned between the mid-range TSI and the excellent GTI (132kW). By keeping the 1.4 TSI petrol engine intact, VW has allowed some continuity. But instead of giving it 132kW like said GTI, it has offered 103kW and a 0 – 100k/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds, with a top whack of 210km/h. This is no baby Polo at all then. But what about that implied fuel economy? VW says it will return 4.5 litres per 100km of travel, with 105 g/km of C02 emissions averaged.

Visually you’ll find pieces like the 17-inch wheels, GT badges, a black front grille, daytime running lights and others. The suspension has also been lowered by 15mm to improve aerodynamics and handling.