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I don't know about everyone else, but I think the Polo is an awesome little car. Hopefully this means we'll see them here too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get the Polo GTI here!
Volkswagen may soon enter the U.S. subcompact segment in a big way. We’ve heard that the automaker will offer a subcompact crossover below the Tiguan, and a company spokesman has confirmed to us that the next-generation Polo is headed to our shores as well.
Below a redesigned Tiguan, VW will offer an even smaller crossover in the U.S. in a few years. Former VW chief engineer Ulrich Hackenberg told us before he was transferred to Audi that the company must be present in the subcompact crossover segment against rivals such as the Buick Encore. Honda is preparing a crossover based on the next-generation Fit subcompact, and Kia is considering a small crossover as well. VW’s entry will be developed from the same amazingly versatile MQB architecture as the upcoming seven-seat crossover, but will be more like the Ford Fiesta in size. The Volkswagen CrossPolo is shown here.
A VW spokesman confirmed to us the future subcompct Volkswagen crossover will come to the U.S., as will the closely related next-generation Polo hatchback. The reason is CAFE.
This small crossover is still at least three years from sale. But use of the MQB architecture means it can have all-wheel drive as well as hybrid applications with front-wheel drive or electric all-wheel drive, depending on market demands. The related Polo will also be offered with full-electric drive (an e-Golf is going on sale in Europe before the end of 2013), but a full-electric crossover, although technically easily feasible in VW’s modular system, is highly unlikely.
Currently, Volkswagen’s least expensive offering in the U.S. is the 2013 Jetta, powered by a 115-hp 2.0-liter I-4 mated to a five-speed manual. Including destination, the car carries a $16,720 MSRP, leaving plenty of room for a subcompact Volkswagen to help meet increasingly strict fuel economy regulations. A Polo sedan is shown at right.
Below a redesigned Tiguan, VW will offer an even smaller crossover in the U.S. in a few years. Former VW chief engineer Ulrich Hackenberg told us before he was transferred to Audi that the company must be present in the subcompact crossover segment against rivals such as the Buick Encore. Honda is preparing a crossover based on the next-generation Fit subcompact, and Kia is considering a small crossover as well. VW’s entry will be developed from the same amazingly versatile MQB architecture as the upcoming seven-seat crossover, but will be more like the Ford Fiesta in size. The Volkswagen CrossPolo is shown here.
A VW spokesman confirmed to us the future subcompct Volkswagen crossover will come to the U.S., as will the closely related next-generation Polo hatchback. The reason is CAFE.
This small crossover is still at least three years from sale. But use of the MQB architecture means it can have all-wheel drive as well as hybrid applications with front-wheel drive or electric all-wheel drive, depending on market demands. The related Polo will also be offered with full-electric drive (an e-Golf is going on sale in Europe before the end of 2013), but a full-electric crossover, although technically easily feasible in VW’s modular system, is highly unlikely.
Currently, Volkswagen’s least expensive offering in the U.S. is the 2013 Jetta, powered by a 115-hp 2.0-liter I-4 mated to a five-speed manual. Including destination, the car carries a $16,720 MSRP, leaving plenty of room for a subcompact Volkswagen to help meet increasingly strict fuel economy regulations. A Polo sedan is shown at right.
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