VW Polo plays with three-door

The little newcomer is a neat package, with sharp lines dictated by Volkswagen Group chief designer Walter de Silva resulting a sporty look that’s squarely aimed at the younger demographic.

There’s a clean face with prominent horizontal styling, and the body — the same size as the five-door at 3.9m long, 1.6m wide and 1.4m high — bearing short overhangs and a lower look with longer door lines, has a streamlined presence set off by black pillars and upward sweep of the side window treatment.

While final decisions for Australia are still being made — including when the car will arrive — Volkswagen will offer the car in Europe with six engines: three petrol versions developing 44kW, 51kW and 63kW (which can option a twin-clutch DSG gearbox), and three turbocharged diesels developing 55kW, 66kW (which also get the DSG option) and 77kW.

A fourth engine will follow for each fuel: a DSG-mated direct-injection turbo 77kW for petrol, and the 1.2-litre turbo from the Polo BlueMotion in the diesel range.

There are three spec levels: Trendline, Comfortline and top-level Highline with features like ESP, daytime running lights, tinted windows and height-adjustable driver’s seat fitted as standard from entry level.

Comfortline adds extras like height adjustment for the front passenger, storage drawers under the front seats, dual cargo floor and chrome and aluminium-look accent trim.

Polo Highline is characterised by wide-ranging individualisation. On the exterior, it is distinguished by additional chrome trim on the lower air intake, 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps from the Comfortline equipment version. Inside, the Polo Highline is upgraded by details such as a three-spoke leather steering wheel, front centre armrest, multi-function display and tyre pressure indicator, height-adjustable sport seats and leather-trimmed handbrake grip and gear knob.

The Volkswagen efficiency poster child, Polo BlueMotion, will also have a three-door and five-door range, the production version of which also debuted at Frankfurt.

With a fuel consumption of just 3.3L/100km, VW is claiming the 1.3-litre turbodiesel Polo BlueMotion as the most fuel-efficient in its class, and also one of the most polite belchers with emissions posted as 87gm/km — just a gram above the Toyota Prius that has become the yardstick.