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View Full Version : CONFIRMED: VW Polo coming to the U.S.



mikeyb
01-20-2009, 10:10 AM
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/vwpolo_hi021_580op.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/volkswagen-polo/588135/)

According to Automotive News, Volkswagen has determined that Americans might like a Polo, so it's bringing the 80-hp subcompact Stateside in the not-too-distant future. Until now, the importation of the Polo was all conjecture, but now we have confirmation, straight from the horse's mouth. No specifics were given about the diminutive hatchback's U.S. debut, but Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby confirmed they think the time is right. The automaker feels that Americans are more open to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles following the summer of high gas prices and the struggling economy.

The car, which would slot in between the Toyota Yaris and the larger Honda Fit in size, could be built at the company's plant in Puebla, Mexico. Although they've never sold anything smaller than the Rabbit/Golf in the States, VW thinks the Polo could help them reach their goal of tripling U.S. sales over the next ten years. The latest genereation of the Polo is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but it's unclear if we will be getting that model or its predecessor. We just hope the Polo GTI version is in the cards.

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 10:24 AM
Nice! I've always loved the Polo.

coolmazda5
01-20-2009, 02:18 PM
It is a decent car, and VW even has a smaller one, the Fox, but that might be just too small for this market.

http://www.automedia.com/Article/images/pht/pht20030601es/pht20030601es_p02.jpg

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 02:44 PM
Didn't it used to be called the Lupo? I remember the old Fox that was in the states though.

Kymerik
01-20-2009, 02:49 PM
0.o 80hp? uhm, is this thing going to break the 13 second 0-60 in the wrong direction

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 02:52 PM
True, but for an economy car, who cares?

Kymerik
01-20-2009, 03:03 PM
True, but for an economy car, who cares?

I do, even though I wont be driving one, I hate it when people in cars with 3 times that much power crawl down onramps, let alone a car that by itself takes 5 years to get up to highway speed.

All i have to say is LET THE ROAD RAGE WAR BEGIN!

coolmazda5
01-20-2009, 03:12 PM
Didn't it used to be called the Lupo? I remember the old Fox that was in the states though.

Yes, the Fox replaced it in 2005. I also remember the old Fox here in the US, same name but different car all-together I believe (kind of EDM vs. USDM models nowadays).

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 03:17 PM
I guess I don't know why Europeans seem to have no problems with it...

If you think about it, the gear ratios in a car with lower power can make it just as slow as our P5's are...

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 03:17 PM
Yes, the Fox replaced it in 2005. I also remember the old Fox here in the US, same name but different car all-together I believe (kind of EDM vs. USDM models nowadays).

Yeah, the old USDM Fox blew nuts. I used to be a big VW guy.

Kymerik
01-20-2009, 03:19 PM
I guess I don't know why Europeans seem to have no problems with it...

If you think about it, the gear ratios in a car with lower power can make it just as slow as our P5's are...

These microcars see city travel, i have no problem with people that live in downtown chicago and LA owning these cars because its stop and go and thats what these cars do best, but not 10-25 highway mile trip suburbanites such as myself

THE Phen
01-20-2009, 03:36 PM
Werd. I used to make the daily 25 mile drive in an 83 Rabbit Diesel. Can't get much slower than that...

Kymerik
01-20-2009, 03:37 PM
Werd. I used to make the daily 25 mile drive in an 83 Rabbit Diesel. Can't get much slower than that...

I'm sorry, bet you enjoyed the gas mileage though

coolmazda5
01-20-2009, 03:44 PM
Werd. I used to make the daily 25 mile drive in an 83 Rabbit Diesel. Can't get much slower than that...

Hey, I had 2 Rabbits, 81 and 83 (Mk1, gas though), 4 speed MT, both were falling apart at 100mph, but able to make it that "fast". Fuel economy was worst than my current people movers though, technology is greatly improved...

Anyway, to the topic, VW has come long way but did start with the Rabbit very strong

mikeyb
01-20-2009, 05:28 PM
I bet this will be like my Mk1 GTis. slow in the a straight line but will own alot of other cars in the corners.

coolmazda5
01-20-2009, 05:57 PM
Yup, that was it an analogy to the fat VWs of today. Found this commercial (in Spanish but is good enough). Good teenager memories (and to keep on topic any VW hatch keeps the same design principles to say the least :D)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_D-Q73dRww

seanmcsean
01-20-2009, 06:00 PM
cool!

bring on the small fun cars!!!!

Amemiya
01-20-2009, 06:11 PM
Sweet, I've always loved the VW Polo.