ABT Fine Tunes the New VW Polo, Gets Up to 130 Diesel or Gasoline Ponies

We don't know when (or if, for that matter) Volkswagen will drop a high-output version of its 1.4-TSI along with a GTI badge on the fifth-generation Polo, but until then, buyers can head over to ABT as the German firm launched a new tuning programme for the supermini. Under the hood, ABT's power kit boosts the output of the base version of the 1.6-liter TDI turbo diesel from 75HP to 90HP, the 90HP version to 110HP and the 105HP variant of the same unit, to 130HP. For the 1.2-liter TSI gasoline engine, ABT's programme lifts output from 105HP to 130HP.

ABT says that despite the power upgrades, fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures remain at the same level as the stock engines.

The tuning firm upgrades the chassis of the Polo with a new set of springs that drops ride height a few millimeters while buyers may also opt for a subtle aero kit that includes a carbon fiber roof spoiler and rear apron that houses twin tailpipes along with a set of 18-inch titanium colored alloy wheels and special decals.

For the interior, ABT's offerings are limited to an aluminum gearshift knob and specific floor mats. Pricing (and real-life photos...) are to be announced closer to the launch date later on in the year.

VW Unveils Polo 3-Door Ahead of Frankfurt Show, Bluemotion Model Returns 71.2mpg!

The three-door version of the new Volkswagen Polo supermini has been officially revealed ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We've only got the photos to go by, but the German automaker says that the more pronounced kink in the rear window gives the 3-door model a more aggressive stance than the five-door version making the new member of the Polo family appear lower and wider than it really is.

Other than that, there are no differences between the two models as the body dimensions of the three and five-door versions are identical with a length of 3,970 mm, width of 1,682 mm and height of 1,485 mm. The same applies to the interior space and cargo capacities (280 to 952 liters).

At launch the 3-door Polo will be available in six engine versions and three equipment variants - Trendline, Comfortline, Highline.

The initial gasoline range comprises of three engines with outputs of 60HP, 70HP and 85HP. VW said that it is also readying a turbocharged direct-injection TSI unit with 105HP.

On the diesel side, the 3d Polo will be available with three TDI engines producing 75HP, 90HP and 105HP.

There will also be a fourth TDI, the new 75HP 1.2-liter TDI of the Polo BlueMotion that will be introduced in Frankfurt with sales set to begin at the beginning of 2010. According to VW, the Bluemotion model will be the world's most fuel-efficient car in its class with a fuel consumption of 3.3 lt / 100km or 71.3mpg US equivalent to 87 g/km CO2.

The new supermini that will compete against the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio, is built at Volkswagen's Pamplona production facility in Spain. European sales are expected to begin in October (UK in early 2010).

Volkswagen Announces UK Pricing for new Polo

Starting from today, UK buyers can place their orders for the all-new Volkswagen Polo with first deliveries set to arrive on the car's official "on sale" date of 16 October. On-the-road prices for the five-door model range from at £10,035 for the entry-level S 1.2-litre 60 HP to £14,910 for the range-topping SEL with VW's new 90 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel. Those interested in the three-door model will have to wait until December.

At launch, the fifth-generation Polo is available with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel. The line-up includes a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrols with 60 or 70 HP and a 1.4-litre 85 HP, plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI diesels making 75 or 90 HP.

Volkswagen will enhance the range with a new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI petrol unit from early in 2010 while GTI and BlueMotion models will follow later in year.

All Polo models come equipped with four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, ESP aka Electronic Stabilisation Programme, as standard.

The German automaker said that it anticipates UK Polo sales of around 7,000 units in 2009, increasing to approximately 37,000 in 2010.

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New Volkswagen Polo 5dr pricing

Model	Engine	Gearbox	OTR Price, £
S	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	10,035
S	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	10,645
S A/C	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	10,635
S A/C	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,245
Moda	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,385
Moda	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,995
Moda A/C	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,985
Moda A/C	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	12,595
SE	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,385
SE	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,995
SE	1.4 85 PS	5 spd manual	12,450
SE	1.4 85 PS	7 spd DSG	13,650
SE TDI	1.6 75 PS	5 spd manual	13,205
SEL	1.4 85 PS	5 spd manual	13,575
SEL	1.4 85 PS	7 spd DSG	14,775
SEL TDI	1.6 90 PS	5 spd manual	14,910