WHILE the hoped-for long, hot summer didn't materialise yet again this year, it didn't stop Volkswagen trying to persuade us all to head off to the beach in the latest take on the stylish Polo supermini, the Dune.

The Dune is the "bit of rough" in the prim and proper Polo range, with the in-your-face use of grey plastic body mouldings and big 17-inch alloys to emphasise that this is a car designed to take life's little knocks.

And it looks good, no doubt about it.

In fact, the five-door's squat stance, raised suspension and chromed integral roof rails almost make you believe it's a handy little off-roader.

Sadly, it's front-wheel-drive only, but it will cope with a bit of bumpy ground - provided it's dry.

The Dune (pictured above) is slightly longer, wider and taller than the standard VW Polo on which it is based, and that extra ride height produces some erratic cornering behaviour, with excessive body roll at the root of it - very entertaining.

Low-profile tyres do little to improve matters, and that's a shame, because the steering geometry works rather well.

The wheel gains weight as speed increases, so the feedback is good on fast, open roads.

Under the test car's bonnet sat the very lively, three-cylinder, 1.4-litre TDI, the only oil-burner in a three-engine line-up, the petrol offerings being of 1.2 and 1.4 litres in size.

This diesel can be found in all manner of Volkswagens, Skodas and SEATs, and is a perky, frugal performer.

With a top speed of 102mph, 65.7mpg returned on the country driving cycle, and good, low-down pulling power, the Dune can easily handle a full load.

Given the turbo-diesel's strong performance in all five manual gears, it needs only the body roll problem to be addressed to make the overall drive as good as this little car looks.

This Polo is one of those cars that is ideal for two people, but that spacious feeling up front in the sports-style seats doesn't carry over to the rear bench.

The fun and funky Dune exterior is also let down on the inside by the lack of life in the control and instrumentation layout, and the "fun" upholstery also fails to lift it.

VW should take a leaf out of Citron's book when it comes to small-car cabin chic.

Boot space is good, and you can't fault the car's cargo flexibility. I have no complaints, either, about the Dune's kitting-out.

But then, at £13,470, would you expect any? Although this particular model has no easily-recognisable head-on rivals, you can still buy a lot of supermini for that - indeed, a lot of family car as well.

Standard main items include remote central locking, full front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, front fog lights, heated, electric door mirrors, four electric windows, semi-automatic air conditioning, retro pierced alloy pedals, lots of pockets and storage, tinted glass, and a radio with single CD player.

In the event of a puncture, you get a tyre-fix kit, consisting of a 12-volt compressor and some tyre sealant.

All told, the Dune concept is a good one, but VW's "bit of rough" needs a little smoothing out in places.

For more information, call your local dealer, Martins, on 01256 867010.