February 2018 saw the Volkswagen Polo complete 8 long years in the Indian market. And in this duration, save for a facelift here or some added equipment there, it has largely remained the same. In this time, it did, however, see two significant upgrades in the form of new engines. First, Volkswagen replaced the Polo GT’s 1.6litre MPI unit with the acclaimed 1.2TSI engine and then later replaced the clattery 1.2litre TDI diesel with a more powerful and refined 1.5litre unit. The base Polo however still continued to soldier on with its 1.2litre MPI petrol engine. 

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But, today as car manufacturers are getting rid of older, inefficient engines and replacing them with cleaner, more efficient, smaller-capacity units to meet stringent emission norms. Volkswagen has replaced the aging 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with an all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit, codenamed EA211. This naturally aspirated 999cc may be smaller but it still makes a similar 76hp. But where the new engine loses out is torque; it pushes out only 95Nm compared to the earlier 1.2’s 110Nm.The curb weight of the new Polo is down by 14kg, but performance still isn’t effortless. There’s a bit of a delay when you tap the accelerator and the engine takes its time to get moving. 

Overtaking needs planning and even the mid-range isn’t punchy. It will spin all the way to its 6,500rpm redline, with power and performance being built in a linear manner; but getting there takes a long time. Outright acceleration is close to the 1.2 Polo’s taking 16.5sec to reach 100kph from a standstill. However, at idle, this engine is as silent as the Maruti Swift petrol. When it comes to first impressions, the refinement is remarkable. Get on the move, though, and there’s a hint of a rattle from the engine; spin it hard and it emanates a three-cylinder thrum, like before. Fuel efficiency is said to have improved by 2.31kpl, to a claimed 18.78kpl.

The new five-speed gearbox is effortless and has short throws. Also, reverse gear isn’t up and away from the first anymore. It is in a more conventional place, beside the fourth (under fifth). The clutch pedal has a long travel with a springy action, requiring a bit more effort than usual. The steering, however, is direct and nicely weighted. And, as before, ride and handling are excellent.

The Highline Plus that we drove is the top-spec variant and gets an all-black theme with new brown-and-black leatherette seat upholstery. The seats are very comfy and there’s even a driver armrest now, but it fouls with the driver’s hand when shifting gears. Quality of bits remains top notch and the interiors are superbly put together too. This variant is well equipped and gets kit like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, an auto-dimming mirror, cruise control, touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, one-touch up/down windows, rear air-con vents, climate control, rear wiper/washer, parking sensors, and 16-inch alloy wheels with wide 195mm tyres. 

Still, it misses out on certain bits like navigation, reversing camera, projector headlamps and keyless entry-go. This is the first major update that the petrol Polo has received in a long time, and, quite honestly, it isn’t something to look forward to. If anything, the Polo has hardly moved forward, and Maruti and Hyundai offer far superior petrol engines and for a car that’s been on sale for over eight years, the Polo has started showing its age. It isn’t the segment-best in terms of features and nor is the cabin as spacious as the competition. And, if you really want a petrol Polo, the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol GT TSI (that’s priced Rs 2 lakh higher) is still the one to go for.

By Saumil Shah, DNA