In the title race for Best Compact Car, the VW Polo is hard to beat. With a long heritage stretching over forty years and five generations, in addition to over 14 million units sold worldwide, the Polo is arguably the definition of a compact car. But now, Volkswagen have recently unveiled their 6 th generation Polo in Germany, a successor to the Polo dynasty and, from the looks of it, the rightful heir and leader to the compact car market.

Dr. Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand with responsibility for ‘Development', presents the new Volkswagen Polo.

VW are known for their small cars. The Beetle, the Golf, and the Polo are well known to consumers and competitors alike. But when you see the latest Polo, you’ll wonder if it’s really a small car. Bigger than its predecessor in every aspect, VW have thrown out the rule book when it comes to compact cars. This model is longer, taller, has more boot space as well as a larger wheel base, and is almost as big as Golf models. The Polo’s exterior is also more streamlined, with a sloping roofline allowing what VW refers to as the Modular Transverse Matrix, to balance out the dimensional alterations to allow the car to perform across all model types. Coupled with the fact that this latest generation is lighter than its predecessor, the Polo should prove to be a lot of fun to drive.

Adding to the fun is the large variety of engine types, with enough options for every driver. This includes four turbo-charged petrol engines, multiple 2.0L diesel engines, as well as the newly developed natural gas engine. These pump out between 64-147bhp, with the GTI models, set to be unveiled in the near future, will export 198bhp, no doubt set to give drivers a few thrills. 5speed and 6speed manual gearboxes will come as standard, with a 7speed dual clutch option available for those wanting to push the Polo to its limits.

The Polo’s technological capabilities and inclusions are also where VW shows off some of its biggest improvements. The new Active Info Display system draws comparisons with Audi’s high-tech Virtual Cockpit, a sign that VW are committed to staying on the technological forefront across all new models. From the 6.5 - 8.0 inch touch display unit, drivers can control car functions and comforts, as well as keep up to date with the outside world. Other technological improvements include fully LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail lights, wireless smartphone charging capabilities, an allergen filter-based air conditioning system as well as parking assist and blind spot detection. Improved for comfort and safety, there isn’t much this Polo can’t do.

The excitement for this latest generation is well warranted, as the new Polo comes with so many options, engine types and additional extras that there is literally a model to suit everyone. No matter what type of car you were looking for, the next generation Polo has muscled its way to the top of your list.

6 th Generation VW Polo: Compact Masterclass