VW adds Polo van
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• Volkswagen has added an extra hatchback van model to its light commercial range with the arrival of the Polo van based on the Polo hatchback car.
It offers a load volume of 1,26m3 and has a maximum payload of 365kg.
The front-wheel-drive Polo is offered only with a 1.05-litre 34kW(45hp) petrol engine coupled to a four-speed directtop gearbox.
The transverse-mounted four-cylinder engine runs on 91 octane (two-star) fuel, and comes equipped with electronic ignition and automatic choke. Peak torque is 74Nm(54 lbft) at 3,600rpm.
Standard equipment on the Polo, which at £3,929 costs .2880 less than a current 1.3litre Golf petrol van, includes cloth seats, laminated windscreen, tailgate wash/wipe, heated rear window and twin door mirrors. Its 1,180mm — long load platform has been reinforced and is covered by a rubber mat. A small load-restraining lip is fitted behind the seats. Maximum interior loading height is 890mm.
Although the Polo's maximum payload is 40kg less than the Golfs, its estate-based body is more practical for a van conversion with its
squarer, 629mm high rear door aperture and lower loading lip. Its 42-litre (9.2 gal) fuel tank gives it a range of 724Iun (450 miles).
Rack and pinion steering gives the Polo a 10m turning circle, and braking is by a diagonally-split system with front discs and self-adjusting rear drums.
MacPherson strut suspension is used on the front wheels, while the centrecoupled trailing arm rear axle has coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. Loading height in the Polo van is 457mm.
According to VW importers, VAG, the current Golf van range will continue to be sold in the UK alongside the 1.17tonne GVW Polo even though it still falls between purposebuilt vans like the Escort and Maestro and smaller hatchback vans like the Metro, Fiesta and Peugeot 205.
All Polo vans will be sold with a one-year unlimited mileage warranty and are covered by a first-year free recovery scheme. Polo vans covering less than 16,0001un (10,000 miles) a year only need an inspection and oil change once a year, and a full service at 32,0001ml (20,000 miles).