2010 VW Polo Three-Door: Don't Call It A Coupe

The three-door 2010 VW Polo may not be the most exciting small car to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show (ahem, Mini Coupe), but it seems stately by comparison. Also, it's actually going to be built.

As this is the entry-level VW for much of the world, the Spanish-built hatch will be available in a wide variety of trims with six engines. The fun ones will be the 1.6-liter TDI, which offers 104 HP and 170 lb-ft of torque, and the 1.2-liter TSI, which offers 104 HP and a non-diesel 129 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions for these include a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG — should we have ever let German industry retool?

NEW THREE-DOOR POLO UNVEILED AHEAD OF FRANKFURT SHOW
The new three-door Polo has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Drawing on the same clean, sharp lines adopted by the five-door model the new Polo three-door features a more aggressive stance, with a pronounced kink in the window line just above a sharp crease running the length of the car. The overall effect is a cohesive, clutter-free design that makes the new Polo appear lower and wider than it really is.
The three-door model shares the same platform and dimensions as the five-door model and benefits from the same gains in quality, space, safety and refinement made over the outgoing model.
Built at Volkswagen's Pamplona production facility in Spain, the three-door model will start production in right-hand drive form in late October before the first deliveries start in early 2010. 

As with the five-door variant there will be four trim levels – S, SE, Moda and SEL. Prices for the S are estimated to start at around £9,400 while the top-spec SEL model will cost £14,000. 

Every Polo is fitted with four airbags, ABS, ESP and hydraulic brake assist as standard. In addition, the Polo comes with a CD stereo, speed sensitive power steering and electric windows.

The SE trim level adds air-conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker stereo with iPod connectivity and body-coloured door handles and mirrors.

In top-spec SEL trim the Polo is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, leather trim on the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, a multifunction computer and tyre pressure warning indicator.

At launch the new Polo three-door will be available with a choice of six engines, four petrol and two diesel. These are a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre engines with 60 or 70 PS and a 1.4-litre 85 PS; plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI units producing 75 or 90 PS. All engines comply with Euro V emissions legislat ion. A new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI unit will also be offered.