Volkswagen Polo Dune Review

Now, here's something a little different from Volkswagen - the Polo Dune.

As if the Polo range wasn't extensive enough with a choice of two body styles, five trim levels and a choice of six engines, some with dual power outputs, the Polo Dune is yet another, if slightly curious addition.

It attracted quite a lot of attention during the test week because people couldn't figure out what it was. It looks like a Polo but has silver coloured roof rails and door mirrors. It has unique front and rear bumpers along with wheel-arch spats and side protection in an anthracite colour. The lower part of the bumper features an aggressive, silver-coloured surround to the mesh grille and includes integrated front fog lamps.

All this serves to make the Polo Dune a little larger than the rest of the range, which, with the new revisions in 2005 is already bigger than the old MK1 Golf. It stands tall on suspension that has been raised by some 20mm, which allows plenty of room for the 17-inch alloys. All these cosmetics don't seem to amount to much but it gives the Dune a very different appearance that indicates a fun nature. It also has the look of a 4x4 about it and the name is a further suggestion of that but no, it is not the case.

Underneath, the Dune has the same drivetrain as the other Polo's including the 5-speed manual gearbox. Only the 1.4-litre 75PS petrol unit in S and SE trim comes with 4-speed automatic transmission. The Polo Dune also houses a 4-cylinder, 1.4 unit although with a power output of 80PS at 5,000rpm and maximum torque of 132Nm at 3,800rpm.