The best-selling Volkswagen Polo is loaded with technology

The Volkswagen Polo, which was first launched in South Africa in 1996, has continued to be a sales success over the past 25 years. “The Volkswagen Polo is South Africa’s second best-selling passenger car after the Polo Vivo. In 2021, 16 454 Polos have been sold in the local market which translates to a share of 22.6% in the A0 Hatch segment,” said Steffen Knapp, head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand. The Polo, which is built in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, is exported to all right-hand-drive markets worldwide. Volkswagen also supplements production for left-hand-drive markets. The Kariega plant is also the sole manufacturer of the Polo GTI. Over 80% of total Polo volume is exported to international markets worldwide. To date, more than 18 million Polos have been sold globally. In South Africa, 78 848 units of the sixth generation Polo have been sold since the vehicle was launched in 2018. A sporty exterior with a signature lighting design The new Polo now sports a new exterior design. The bumper and tailgate have been given a new look, as have the headlights and tail light clusters which come standard with LED technology. The Polo has a distinctive daytime and night-time light signature which includes a new LED light strip along the radiator grille in conjunction with the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights. The new Polo has taken this design cue from the ID models as well as the Golf – these were the first Volkswagens to have an LED crossbar in the front. The interior of the Polo now boasts a Digital Cockpit, a redesigned multifunction steering wheel, new-generation infotainment systems and wireless App-Connect (optional feature). The Polo range is available with a choice of three infotainment systems; Composition Colour with a 6.5-inch display (standard in the 70kW and 85kW Polo and Life), Composition Media with an 8.0-inch display (standard in the 85kW R-Line and Polo GTI) and an 8.0-inch Discover Media system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, inductive mobile charging and a multi-colour Digital Cockpit Pro (optional feature on the Life, R-Line and GTI models). The Polo, now available with IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist The Polo is the first vehicle in its class to be offered with the optional IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist feature. Travel Assist brings together the functions of the new predictive ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Lane Assist to create a new system that enables semi-automated driving. ACC ensures that the Polo automatically maintains the speed selected by the driver. Optional driver assistance systems in the new Polo include Front Assist and Pedestrian Monitoring. In its class, the new Polo is a leader when it comes to the innovative spectrum of driver assistance systems on offer. The new naming convention for the Polo specification lines The Polo has moved to Volkswagen’s new naming convention. Previously, the Polo was available in the Trendline (base model), Comfortline (mid-level) and Highline (premium) versions. The new naming convention features the Polo version (base model), Polo Life (mid-level) and R-Line (premium). The new Polo will also be available in a GTI derivative. Polo GTI – the halo derivative of the range The Polo GTI leads the range in terms of power, technology and sportiness. The iconic design features legendary GTI insignia, such as the red strip in the radiator grille, the honeycomb structure of the air intake grille, red brake calipers and GTI lettering on the radiator grille. The new Polo GTI is equipped with a sports suspension that is specially tuned for the vehicle. This lowers the body by 15mm and combines solid driving dynamics, reliable neutrality and excellent driving comfort typical for GTI models. Driving profile selection is standard in the new Polo GTI and offers four driving modes of Eco, Individual, Normal and Sport. Within defined limits, the modes allow the driver to make individual settings that have a direct effect on vehicle handling. Standard features in the new Polo GTI are the two-zone climatronic air conditioning, IQ. Light LED matrix headlights, 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels and the Composition Media system with inductive mobile charging. Optional features in the Polo GTI are extensive and include among others a panoramic sunroof, Deep Iron Grey dashboard trim, 18-inch Faro alloy wheels and more. Three turbo-charged petrol engines are available at launch. The 1.0 TSI 70kW engine will be available in the Polo and Polo Life specifications. The three-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, delivers 70kW of power and maximum torque of 175Nm. It takes 10.8 seconds to complete the zero to 100km/h sprint. The 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG engine is only available in the Polo Life and Polo R-Line specifications. The three-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission, delivers 85kW of power and maximum torque of 200Nm. It takes 11.3 seconds to complete the zero to 100km/h sprint. Like all its predecessors, the new Polo GTI is a front-wheel drive. The 2.0 TSI turbo-charged engine delivers a power output of 147kW. The maximum torque is 320Nm at 1 500 to 4 500 rpm. It completes the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds. Pricing for the new Polo range in South Africa will be confirmed closer to the launch date. The new Polo will retail from Volkswagen dealers in January 2022. Source: MotorPress