After the shocking results of the Global NCAP safety tests, Volkswagen was the only company to have come out and announced the inclusion of airbags as a standard feature, even on the base variant of the Polo hatchback. Now Volkswagen dealers across the country have stopped accepting bookings for the base ‘Trendline’ variant, till the airbag-fitted models are launched. Popular Indian hatchbacks like the Tata Nano, Hyundai i10, Ford Figo and Maruti Alto 800 had failed the Global NCAP crash test achieving a zero-star rating.
Volkswagen immediately reacted to the crash test ratings and announced that all the variants of the Polo hatchback will get front airbags as standard. The German auto giant already offered airbags on the top-end variants, but soon started offering the same on the ‘Comfortline’ variant as well. The airbags fitted base variant is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.
The Volkswagen Polo fared better than the competition thanks to its structural integrity in the global NCAP tests; however, it still failed to meet the safety norms and received a zero-star rating with the absence of airbags. In the second test conducted by global NCAP, the Polo with front airbags (driver and front passenger) achieved an impressive four-star rating, with adequate protection to the driver and passenger’s head and neck.
The Volkswagen Polo will also get a comprehensive facelift later this year. The facelifted version was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will make it to our shores by the end of this year. The updated Polo will get a revised front bumper with subtle changes to the grille and headlight design, with new equipment added to the features list on the inside. Volkswagen will also introduce the new 1.5-litre 4-cylinder, diesel engine that will replace the 1.2-litre TDI unit. The company though, has not yet disclosed the timeline for the launch of the updated Polo but it’s expected next month.
Source – NDTV Auto
