INSURANCE groups for the new Volkswagen Polo have been confirmed by the ABI, showing significant improvements over the outgoing model.

The new ratings range from group 2 for the 1.2-litre E to group 6 for the Sport 1.9TDI PD.

The improvement has been put down to better security and safety features and low repair costs.

Volkswagen claims that in a standard 10mph rear end impact, the new Polo bumper will cost £153 to repair – almost £300 less than the outgoing model.

And in a frontal collision specified for insurance ratings the last Polo would have cost £1,017 to repair, while the new one will be £733.

As yet there are no ratings for the 55PS 1.2 litre or 85PD 1.4 litre FSI with a new direct injection petrol engine, both of which will join the range later this year, but Volkswagen is hopeful that the new entry level car will qualify for group one insurance.