2019 Volkswagen Polo Style grade added as new sub-GTI flagship

Volkswagen will introduce a new variant to its Polo compact hatch range in August, known as the Polo Style.

Designed to replace the Polo Beats, the Style will sit beneath the GTI and above the Trendline and Comfortline in the local Polo range.

The new Style nomenclature replaces the former Highline moniker and points to a change of naming convention from Volkswagen, which is expected to extend to other models like the incoming Golf Mk8.

Available exclusively with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Polo Style will wear the same $24,990 (plus ORCs) price tag as the automatic variant of the outgoing Polo Beats, while also boasting more equipment.

With a price that puts the Polo in direct competition with bigger hatches like the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Volkswagen’s own Golf 110 TSI Trendline, the Polo Style trades cabin space and under-bonnet oomph for a high-end specification level.

VW’s slick 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system is standard and includes built-in sat nav (along with smartphone mirroring), while the all-electronic ‘Active Info’ instrument panel, dual-zone climate control, premium audio system (which actually mirrors that of the outgoing Beats) and a wireless charging pad are also standard-issue.

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On top of that, you also receive rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlamps, a rear-view camera, heated wing mirrors, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, four USB ports, sports front seats, a black headliner and LED tail lamps.

The only options are metallic paint and a Driver Assistance package that bundles adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, park assist and power folding wing mirrors for an extra $1500.

Standard safety equipment includes low-speed autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), driver fatigue monitoring and six airbags.

Like the Polo Beats and Polo 85TSI Comfortline, the Polo Style takes its power from a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque.

With a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as the sole transmission choice, the Polo Style consumes a claimed average of 5.0 L/100km of premium unleaded on the combined fuel economy cycle.

PRICING

Besides the withdrawal of the Beats variant, the rest of the Polo range remains unchanged in specification and pricing.

• Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline manual - $18,790
• Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline automatic - $21,290
• Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline manual - $20,290
• Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline automatic - $22,790
• Volkswagen Polo Style automatic - $24,990
• Volkswagen Polo GTI - $31,990