Volkswagen Polo SUV 2018

Volkswagen is planning a more practical version of its Polo hatchback for 2018, and the range will be augmented by the introduction of a proper baby SUV version – revealed in our exclusive images – that’s likely to arrive soon after the regular car’s launch.

The next-generation Polo will be stretched, as the brand makes its own small car the first supermini in the VW Group to switch to the MQB platform. The next Polo will introduce the smallest version yet of the MQB platform, called A0. At the heart of the new Polo range will be revised versions of VW’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, and a switch from 1.4 petrol and 1.6 diesel units to fresh 1.5-litre units of both fuel types.

The newcomer will be offered with four-wheel drive – again, a feature made possible by the MQB architecture – and a choice of manual or dual-clutch auto transmissions. Its engine line-up will skip the Polo’s naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrols and start with a turbocharged version of the same engine, which is set to deliver around 109bhp.

The move to the MQB architecture also opens the possibility for the Polo to be offered as a plug-in hybrid, with either a petrol or diesel engine accompanying the electric motor. However, the cost of this technology could prove an obstacle for such a small car.

That shouldn’t be such an issue for the more expensive SUV version, which is likely to be previewed by a concept called the T-Cross. It could also carry that name through to production, although VW has a number of other badges registered that would fit with its convention of naming its SUVs with ‘T’ names, including Teracor, Tribue and Terasun.