Volkswagen has announced the launch of a new Polo model which it claims is cleaner than Toyota's much-heralded Prius.

The automaker has said that its new Polo BlueMotion will be on sale in the UK next year and has lower CO2 emission levels than the Prius hybrid which has performed so well in the US market.

What Car? has revealed that the new vehicle will be launched in the UK in 2007 and will emit just 102g/km of CO2, which is 2g/km less than the Prius.

The car has a new diesel particulate filter to help improve exhaust emissions and the car also reduces nitrous oxide emissions through an exhaust gas recirculation system.

Volkswagen announced the development of the Polo BlueMotion project earlier this year as part of a major investment in green technologies. The company is also looking to develop a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle, which is currently set to be launched on the market in 2009.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd