The fresh Volkswagen Polo, having just reached the Russian market, has already managed to become a sales hit in Europe. The company, swelling with pride, states: over 90,000 pre-orders have been placed to date. A very decent result, especially against the backdrop of the crisis and the general decline in consumer demand!
Success needs to be developed — any marketer will say that. Therefore, following the five-door hatchback, the Volkswagen folks are releasing a three-door version to the market. Obviously, no less serious expectations are placed on it.
Journalists from all over Europe were summoned to the car's premiere. To be honest, heading off on the trip, I was counting on a sensation — otherwise, why such a scale? For example, what if at the press conference they announce that the three-door only looks like the five-door, but inside it has a different platform? That would be a sensation!
NO SENSATIONS
But no explosion happened, although, frankly, it wasn't worth hoping for. Expecting such tricks from a company with such a sedate and well-calibrated marketing strategy is naive. Boring and predictable. But damn effective. At the press conference, it was confirmed: from a technical standpoint, both modifications do not differ from each other. There were five doors — now there are three. However, a news hook was still found. And the key words did get said, almost getting lost in the general noise. According to Volkswagen marketers, the three-door has a serious market trump card — a more stylish appearance! For countries where buyers put image above practicality, this plays a big role. And Russia, as is well known, has long been among them.
MANUFACTURER'S DATA
ENGINE
1198 cm3, petrol, 3 cylinders,
70 hp at 5400 rpm,
112 Nm at 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
Manual, 5 gears, front-wheel drive
DYNAMICS
max speed – 165 km/h,
acceleration time 0-100 km/h – 14.1 s
DIMENSIONS (mm)
length – 3970
width – 1682
height – 1462
ECONOMY
average consumption – 5.5 l/100 km