PoloDriver

After a two-month absence, the Polo is back in the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars list, appearing at number eight with 3421 units sold. The latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK registrations fell by 11.5% in November 2010 to 139,875 units, but the market is still performing ahead of motor industry forecasts and is up 14.0% compared with the same period last year. The unstoppable Ford Fiesta once again topped November’s list, although the SMMT reports that demand for superminis has weakened since the scrappage scheme.

‘New car registrations fell by less than expected in November with demand from the fleet sector helping to offset the market re-balancing following the end of the Scrappage Incentive Scheme. Registrations are expected to fall again next month, but demand may benefit from motorists looking to avoid the January VAT rise. This factor, coupled with the strength of the first half of 2010, means year-end volumes are expected to lift to over 2.03 million units, 2% up from 2009,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. The UK’s top 10 best-selling cars for November 2010 and the year-to-date (total sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 6488 units (98,453, 1st)
2 Ford Focus: 5537 units (73,973, 3rd)
3 Volkswagen Golf: 5220 units (54,849, 4th)
4 Vauxhall Astra: 4700 units (75,276, 2nd)
5 Vauxhall Insignia: 3915 units
6 BMW 3 Series: 3890 units (39,546, 8th)
7 Vauxhall Corsa: 3684 units (72,654, 4th)
8 Volkswagen Polo: 3421 units (41,793, 6th)
9 Peugeot 207: 3086 units (40,056, 7th)
10 Nissan Qashqai: 2555 units (36,207, 10th)

(The 2010 year-to-date best-seller absent from November’s sales figures was the Mini selling 37,647 units in 9th place.)

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We think we might have uncovered the reason why some prospective owners of the latest version of the Polo GTI in the UK might be experiencing delivery delays. The car has just gone on sale in right-hand drive Australia, too, most probably adding pressure to delivery estimates. Like the Brits, they like their hatches hot (or at least moderately piping) down under, and the first reviews that have come in from the Australian motoring journos certainly make for encouraging reading. The car was launched to power-hungry Polo enthusiasts at the Australian International Motor Show 2010 in Sydney.

Available from $27,790 for the three-door model and $28,990 for the five-door, Drive states that: ‘The levels of grip demonstrated by the GTI through some of the tightest bends in the country was remarkable. It felt tied down and level at speed through snaking bends, and easily liveable on more open stretches of road. The steering is well-weighted, offers plenty of feedback, and is quick and responsive.’ Carsguide was equally enthusiastic: ‘The handling is exquisite – one of the reasons the Polo won COTY – and tied down even more in the GTI that sits 15mm lower and rides on wider, lower profile rubber,’ its tester commented.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, the latest version of the Polo GTI uses a 1.4-litre engine with both a supercharger and a turbocharger to boost power to 178bhp (132kW) and torque to 250Nm – all from a car weighing 1189kg. The 0-62mph (0-100km/h) dash is dispensed with in 6.9 seconds and standard equipment includes 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels, honeycomb grille, rear spoiler, twin exhausts, front fog lights and a seven-speed DSG gearbox (no manual option is available). Polo GTI deliveries have finally started in the UK, with the first owners receiving their cars, while some Volkswagen retailers have demonstration models in stock. Australian Polo GTI fans can find out more here.

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Volkswagen Group South Africa has launched both the Polo and Golf to local markets this week. Both models are equipped with new common rail TDI engines, recovery of braking energy by regenerative systems, a Stop-Start feature and refined aerodynamic body tweaks. The success story of BlueMotion started in 2006 when Volkswagen first launched the Polo BlueMotion. The 9N3 Polo BlueMotion was the first five-seater in the world to consume less than 4.0 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. The Polo BlueMotion (6R) for the South African market costs from R175,400 and is available to order now.

Just as in Europe, the latest eco-Polo has a combined fuel consumption of just 3.4 litres diesel (equivalent to 89g/km CO2) per 100 kilometres. It is eventually aiming to become the ‘3-litre fuel economy car’ of the modern era and the most economical five-seater in the world. Its 45-litre fuel tank has a potential driving range of nearly 1,200 kilometres. At the heart of the Polo BlueMotion is a 1.2-litre TDI with three cylinders derived from the 1.6-litre four-cylinder TDI of the new Polo. The BlueMotion’s maximum torque of 180Nm is produced from 2000rpm, with peak power of 55kW produced at 4200rpm.

The new engine and other specific modifications have delivered fuel savings of 0.8 litres per 100 kilometres. This represents a 20% reduction in fuel consumption, from 4.2 to 3.4 litres, compared to conventional 1.6 Polo TDI with 77kW. CO2 emissions are similarly reduced from 109 to 89g/km. The new Polo BlueMotion can sprint to 100km/h from rest in 13.9 seconds, and the top speed of the 1075kg car is 173km/h. Other features developed with economy in mind include low-rolling resistance tyres, lightweight ‘Greenland’ alloy wheels and longer economy-minded gearing. Standard equipment includes unique ‘Power Up’ interior trim, cruise control and multifunction steering wheel.

[Source: Volkswagen South Africa]

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The Polo has been awarded the title of Best Import Car of the Year 2010-2011 in Japan by a committee of 60 Japanese motoring journalists. The 1.2-litre TSI model in particular impressed the judging panel, with the jury describing it as having a ‘high-quality interior and exterior’, ‘good fuel economy and powertrain’ and ‘no compromise on safety equipment.’ Adding to the fifth-generation Polo’s World Car of the Year 2010 and European Car of the Year 2010 gongs, the Japanese award is just one of a number the car has picked up in recent weeks on the far side of the globe. Other 2010-2011 winners picked by the Japanese panel included the Honda CR-Z (2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year) and the Peugeot RCZ (Special ‘Future Balance of Innovative Design and Driving Pleasure’ Award).

[Source: Paul Tan’s Automotive News]

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We’ve been doing a bit of late summer sprucing here at PoloDriver. There are still some parts of the site that we’ve still got to go through, but today, we’ve added more information about two Series 2 Polo special models; the Polo Mikado and the Polo Peppermint. The Peppermint (pictured above), was, as far as we know, only available in France and was basically a rebadged Fox. Available from September 1991, the Peppermint was available with a 1043cc 45bhp petrol engine and a 1398cc 48bhp diesel unit. Also built around the base-model Fox, the Polo Mikado was on sale year later, and featured special paint finishes (including the unique Violet Blue) and brightly-coloured interior trim. Other embellishments included exterior colour-matched wheel trim rings. Head over to the Series 2 specials page to find out more, and to let us know of any unique models we may have missed.

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