WHATEVER you want from a car, there is almost certainly a Volkswagen Polo that can deliver the goods.
Thrill-seekers can opt for the heart-pumping 192 horsepower of the pricey GTI, while at the other end of the range, greener-minded motorists can go for the near 70mpg consumption of the BlueMotion.
Now there is a newcomer that takes some of the best elements of both extremes and has produced a little cracker.
For the R-Line Polo, Volkswagen has used the three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine from the BlueMotion model, but has increased its power to 110 horsepower and replaced the five-speed manual gearbox with a six-speed.
The result is a remarkably quiet and composed, and superbly refined engine that punches way above the weight that its 1.0-litre capacity might suggest.
Whether you are pootling around town or cruising on the motorway, the quick-accelerating Polo feels solid and relaxed, with a reassuring big-car feel.
R-Line exterior styling gives beefier front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts and darkened 16-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels. On the inside is a small, motorsport-inspired, steering wheel, side bolsters and R-Line-embossed seats.
The R-Line is a welcome addition to one of the most enduring models in the small family hatchback class, with a heritage stretching back 40 years.
With its roomy interior, decent-sized boot and plenty of useful storage, the solidly-built Polo is a good choice for small families and the latest models come with a welcome amount of standard equipment.
Even the most basic model gets electronic stability control, electric front windows, a Bluetooth phone connection and an infotainment system with a colour touchscreen, though you will have to dip into your pocket if you want air conditioning.
No such concerns will bother you if you go for R-Line specification, which simply bulges with bells and whistles. A glance at the leather-trimmed steering wheel, which has no fewer than 18 buttons, gives a clue to the sophisticated equipment packed into this Polo.
In the centre of the dashboard sits the latest generation of Volkswagen’s ‘modular infotainment’ system with a 6.5-inch full-colour touchscreen. The system includes a proximity sensor and a function that reacts to wiping movements by the fingers, as used on smartphones. All UK models offer Bluetooth telephone connectivity and USB media connector, while the R-Line has a satellite navigation system, SD card reader and DAB radio.
Super-bright, self-levelling headlights, cruise control, air conditioning, a multi-function trip computer and parking sensors all form part of the R-Line package.
Safety features are again first rate, with a raft of airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold and – a first in this class – an automatic post-collision braking system, taken straight from the seventh-generation Golf, which brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce energy and minimise the chance, or consequences, of a second impact.
The R-Line will appeal to people who want the quality, refinement and comfort of the Volkswagen Golf, but prefer a smaller package.
AUTO FACTS
Model: Volkswagen Polo R-Line 1.0 BlueMotion TSI
Price: £16,960
Insurance group: 13E
Fuel consumption (Combined): 65.7mpg
Top speed: 121mph
Length: 397.2cm/156.4in
Width: 168.2cm/66.2in
Luggage capacity: 9.9 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 9.9 gallons/45 litres
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles
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