PoloDriver

After an appearance at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, the special edition and distinctive Polo Beats is now available to order in the UK. Prices start at £13,910 for the 59bhp 1.0 BlueMotion Technology (BMT) model with enhanced styling features and a 300-watt sound system which gives the car its name.

Eight-channel audio system
At the heart of the Polo Beats is the eight-channel, digital sound processor (DSP)-equipped super-sounding audio system provided by Californian music company Beats Electronics, more well-known for its range of hipster-friendly headphones. For comparison purposes, the standard Polo Match comes with an 80-watt sound system – the new Polo special ‘beats’ (sorry) that by almost four times.

Seven speakers – two A-pillar tweeters, two front door woofers, two broadband speakers in the rear and a spare wheel well subwoofer – come as standard and along with the DSP ‘delivers high-performance audio processing that gives clarity and definition’, according to Volkswagen. The car also speaks (shouts?) about its audio pedigree with ‘Beats’ side skirt decals, and B-pillar badges.

Further differentiators include 16-inch ‘Knight’ alloy wheels, darkened rear light units, a high-gloss black front grille, ‘Flash Red’, ‘Pure White’ or ‘Black’ door mirrors, and rear privacy glass. Inside, as well as the upgraded audio, is a pair of sport seats with alcantara side bolsters and ‘Beats’ cloth, red-striped seatbelts, LED footwell lighting, and ‘Cortina Silver’ centre console and air vent trim, as well as leatherette door panels, red-edged floor mats and ‘Beats’-branded door sill protectors.

Three or five doors, four engines
The Polo Beats comes with three or five doors, and a choice of four engines. A trio of 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines offer power from 59 to 89bhp, while a 1.4-litre TDI version emits just 93g/km of CO2 and has a claimed economy figure of 83.1mpg. The petrol models offer emissions from 106 to 108g/km, and claimed economy from 58.9 to 60.1mpg. All have Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technology, with the 1.2 TSI also having the option of a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Slotting in-between the Match and SEL models, the Polo Beats features a 6.5-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system, manual air conditioning, cruise control, and parking sensors. It also adds Volkswagen’s Car-Net ‘App-Connect’, which combines Apple ‘CarPlay’, Google ‘Android Auto’ and ‘MirrorLink’ and allows the ‘mirroring’ of the smartphone display on the infotainment touchscreen via a USB connection.

The Polo Beats is available to order from Volkswagen Retailers now, with first deliveries expected to arrive this month. For more details, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

2016 VOLKSWAGEN POLO BEATS PRICES (UK)
1.0 BMT 59bhp, 106g/km, five-speed manual, 3dr: £13,910
1.0 BMT 59bhp, 106g/km, five-speed manual, 5dr: £14,540
1.0 BMT 74bhp, 108g/km, five-speed manual, 3dr: £14,435
1.0 BMT 74bhp, 108g/km, five-speed manual, 5dr: £15,065

1.2 TSI BMT 89bhp, 107g/km, five-speed manual, 3dr: £15,055
1.2 TSI BMT 89bhp, 107g/km, five-speed manual, 5dr: £15,685
1.2 TSI BMT 89bhp, 109g/km, seven-speed DSG, 3dr: £16,430
1.2 TSI BMT 89bhp, 109g/km, seven-speed DSG, 5dr: £17,060
1.2 TSI BMT 89bhp, 109g/km, seven-speed DSG, 3dr: £16,430

1.4 TDI BMT 89bhp, 93g/km, five-speed manual, 3dr: £16,120
1.4 TDI BMT 89bhp, 93g/km, five-speed manual, 5dr: £16,750