CENTRE stage of the Volkswagen stand at the London Motor Show was the new Polo which will enter UK showrooms in January next year with prices little different to the outgoing model. Fleet managers and company car drivers had their first glimpse of the new car following its world debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show last month.

Volkswagen displayed the new Polo in left-hand drive form. Prices are expected to range from under £8,500 to about £14,800 for the three-door, five-door, saloon and estate ranges, which compare to prices for the current model line-up of between £8,240 on-the-road and £14,430.

The frontal styling of the new Polo, with clear rectangular headlights which incorporate the indicators, is similar to that of the Volkswagen Bora. The new Polo's rear view borrows elements of the Golf, such as its rear badge and bumper-mounted number plate. The Polo has been transformed with sporty new dashboard and seats also shared with the Golf. It also benefits from technology first seen on the Passat, such as damped action grab-handles and blue instrument back-lighting.

Five petrol and two diesel engines will be available in the hatchback from launch - 1.0-litre 50bhp, 1.4 60bhp, 1.4 16v 75bhp which is already found in the Lupo and Golf, 1.4 16v 100bhp, 1.6 16v 125bhp which is new to the range but will also be offered in the Lupo, 1.9 SDI 64bhp previously only in Polo saloon and estate and 1.4 TDI 75bhp which is new to the line-up. Saloon and estate engines are unchanged apart from the addition of the 1.9 TDI 110.