Trendline - Why does it exist?

[amazeer]

Does anyone here have a trendline?

I'm not sure why it exists now that the 3 door is unavailable. For just $2000 you can get the comfortline with:
chrome grill trim
alloy wheels
armrest (not that it is especially functional, I have never used it)
cruise control
superior headlights
all the interior chrome trim
leather gearshift & steering wheel (including radio buttons)
reading lights
better seats
the MFD
an extra 14kw, 43Nm, 2.4 seconds better to 100kmh while using 0.6 litres less fuel /100km. About $5 better off per tank.
6 speed box
I presume significantly higher resale value.

[kam]

yeh its rather pointless, spend a little bit more and get much more features

probably exists to make the other models look better, as the 77 tsi is now a 'mid range', wheras if the trendline didnt exist, then the 77 tsi would now be a base model polo

[The_Hawk]

Trendline - Why does it exist?

It also drives like a bit of a slug compared to the 77TSI.

[iigx]

Probably will get phased out totally now that VW has the UP. Must have been their "low end of the market" seller ?

[Diesel_vert]

The base model is the headline act (by using its entry price) to entice consumers into the dealership, in the hope they will purchase the more profitable models with mid-to-high trim levels, and even better if they option it up. Common sales tactic.

In Germany, they have two petrol 1.2 litre 3-cyl engines (44 & 51 kW), a 1.2 litre 3-cyl TDI (55 kW) and a 1.6 litre 4-cyl TDI (66 kW) as part of their 2013 Trendline model range.

[apples]

There are 2 reasons - little old ladies and P platers. They're the only people I've seen drive them.

[BTJ]

Its a way to get people into the brand.

My first VW was a 9N3 Club. It did have the safety pack and 17 inch wheels, but not much else in the way of fancyness.

2.5 years later I was back in the dealership oredering my TSI77.

I dare say in 2.5 years time there will be another one on its way

[Nuggos]

Yep i have one, im a P plater and i got mine for a very good price! 14.5k and it had another full year of rego

[The_Hawk]

P platers shouldn't have any issues with the 77TSI in the Polo or anything up to the 118TSI in the Golf.

Some states have them on the specifically "allowed" list where NSW have them on the secret "allowed on application" list. In short, small turbo's for efficiency are allowed but rather than confuse people with a long list of what is in and out they still make you get an exemption (and pay a fee). It's going to get *very* interesting when the 4 Banger Turbo "EcoBoost" Ford Falcon becomes the standard instead of the six.

[nomadx38]

To drive any car with a turbo in Victoria (except diesel) is illegal BUT you can apply for a exemption. They look at your driving history and determine wether you are suited for the car. This is where the type of car comes in. A polo is not a "hoon" car so will pass a check pretty quick. A skyline on the other hand will NEVER pass.

But the type of car doesn't change the fact that you need the exemption because if the police check your number plate / rego and see the driver has no exemption it's 4 demerit points and $400ish fine. And the 4 points you loose on your p's will most likely mean you are disqualified.

[pologti18t]

At that end of the market $2000 is a lot of money.

[The_Hawk]

To drive any car with a turbo in Victoria (except diesel) is illegal BUT you can apply for a exemption.

It's essentially the same in NSW (and probably other states) and I have to say while writing this response and looking for sources to link to from VIC and NSW roads groups I see they have made changes to the policy. In short, no you can't drive one without an exemption, but the exemption process of lots of vehicles is not much more than an application process which should just be approved.


In NSW there is now some guidelines which make some sense.

Source: P1 and P2 vehicle and passenger conditions < Car < Getting a licence < Licensing < www.rta.nsw.gov.au

Application for an exemption can be made at any motor registry upon payment of a fee. NOTE: a fee is not charged for moderate-performance turbo/supercharged engine vehicle applications.

The vehicle is a moderate-performance turbo/supercharged engine vehicle.

For Moderate-performance turbo/supercharged vehicle exemptions an exemption is given to vehicles under 100kw/t and to vehicles between 100kw/t and 125kw/t if they weigh over 1410kgs and have less than 165kw of power.

The Golf 90TSI and 118TSI as well as the Polo 77TSI are listed under "Examples of moderate performance turbo/supercharged vehicles that are eligible for exemption".

In VIC there is a much longer list which essentially follows the same idea:

Source: P plates & probationary prohibited vehicles : VicRoads

Interestingly there is a note on the VIC website that says:

Note: To clarify some recent reports, VicRoads has not lifted the ban on P Platers driving turbo cars. It has only been lifted for turbo powered vehicles with a power-to-mass ratio of less than 130 kilowatts per tonne, and the manufacturer has placed the power-to-mass ratio on the build plate.

It appears they may be moving to a more generic set of rules which are then managed by the vehicle manufacturers certifiying they meet the restrictions. Of course in the FAQ they seem to line up with the NSW restrictions (although why these groups can't get together and have the same wording and interpretation is a little beyond me).

From 6 July 2009, drivers issued with a probationary licence on or after 1 July 2007 may drive some lower performance turbocharged or supercharged vehicles. The definition of a lower performance turbocharged or supercharged vehicle is a vehicle with 6 cylinders or less that is:

turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio of less than 100kW per tonne
turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio between 100kW and 125kW per tonne and that is considered to be a family type vehicle (4 seats or more) rather than a sports type vehicle. A family type vehicle is a sedan, station wagon or hatch normally used to carry families/passengers with 4 or more seats and are equipped with child restraint anchorages. A family type vehicle does not include a sports car (two door coupe).

Source: Probationary Prohibited Vehicles FAQs : VicRoads


So interestingly the Ford Falcon with the EcoBoost engine comes in at 1.7t and 179kW making it 105.3kW/t and therefore likely legal in VIC as it is a "Family Type" vehicle under the limits and illegal in NSW because it has more than 165kW of power!

Sadly for you P platers the Golf GTI and R are out in both states but then the Polo GTI at 132kW and 1.189t = 111kW/t would probably be rejected in VIC as it's a "Sports Type" but is technically within all NSW guidelines??

[Nuggos]

The laws are easily bypassed, my mate drives an arbarth and a Golf R and has exemption forms for both, i honestly couldn't be bothered and honestly since i had my accident this year im kinda not too worried about going quick or having anything too flash, so long as im happy and it looks nice then thats all that matters to me... however once i get off my P's i will most likely get a turbo

[amazeer]

the NSW liberal government are actually pretty pro driver. They removed a lot of speed cameras and normalised a lot of speed zones. The p platers in turbo/V8 rule is also being reviewed and will probably move to a specific power to weight rule.

The different state rules make a mockery of our "national" road rules.

[The_Hawk]

The p platers in turbo/V8 rule is also being reviewed and will probably move to a specific power to weight rule.

It looks like they may have already done that, while you still need to apply for an exemption, it seems that vehicles that fall into the defined power to weight boxes listed will attract no fee and will be passed without [serious] question.