Volkswagen is reinventing its Polo line-up quite seriously for the Indian market, having recently launched the hi-tech Polo GT and now, has introduced the rugged-looking Cross Polo. Dimensionally, the car is different and length is up by 17mm, width by 16mm and even height by 21mm, and it has also put on 10kg of weight. So what’s changed?
While all the sheet metal is identical to the Polo, there is a band of matte black plastic tightly guarding the lower section. The silver chin-guard and the diffuser offset the blacked-out lower section handsomely. The silver roof rails add just a few millimetres in overall height, but help the Polo grow a more adventurous personality.
There’s no denying that the Cross Polo looks like a genuine off-roader. However, despite its hiking gear, it isn’t looking to get scratched or dusty. While internationally the Cross Polo is offered with 17-inch wheels, the India-spec car rides on the same 185/60 R15 rubber as the standard hatchback. But rough-roading won’t be easier as the 168mm of ground clearance is identical to that of the standard Polo.
The Cross Polo shares its 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel motor with its sibling. The performance feels just about adequate. The suspension set-up is well-suited to the Cross Polo’s character. The car rides over broken roads with a good blend of comfort and compliance, and thuds over them confidently even at higher speeds.
The Cross Polo is treading down the same path that Skoda’s Fabia Scout started off on. The Highline trim is priced at Rs. 7.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi),. This puts it at a Rs. 60,000 premium over the Polo 1.2 TDI Highline.
