Name SA's most popular cars and the VW Polo is sure to be on the list. Now there's a new one!

Despite improvements in all aspects of the car, it was possible to reduce the newcomer's body weight by 7.5 percent. The introduction of new TDI and TSI engines in Europe, as well as the seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG), has reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

An excellent example here is the new 1.2 TSI. This turbo-charged four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine produces 77kW, while consuming 5.5 litres of fuel per 100km and pumping out 129g/km CO2.

In total, seven different engines will be offered on the new Polo in its first year ? four petrol and three diesel ? spanning a power range from 44kW to 77kW. Five of these engines are entirely new or are being used for the first time in the Polo, including the 1.6 TDI with 66kW. When combined with a "BlueMotion package", the latter's average fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres and 96g/km CO2 makes it, according to VW, the most fuel efficient and lowest emitting five-seater diesel in the world.

But it's not just about the engines. The new Polo was specifically designed to get a five-star EuroNCAP rating. The higher structural rigidity of the Polo's bodyshell contributes to these results. In the footwell area alone, intrusion ? related to the car body's deformation strength in a frontal crash ? was lowered by 50 percent. In the case of a side impact, the intrusion value was reduced by 20 percent.

In addition, the European version of the Polo now being presented is equipped with standard ESP electronic stabilisation program with Hill Hold Control, and it has a highly effective network of airbags on board, including combined head-thorax airbags (integrated in the front seatbacks), belt tensioners and belt force limiters plus seatbelt warning indicator and head restraints that counteract the risk of whiplash injury (both front seats), three rear head restraints and Isofix child seat preparation.

Start of production of the five-door Polo is scheduled for the end of March. This will be followed, starting in the last week in June, by the market launch in Germany.