PoloDriver

‘Volkswagen is introducing the eagerly anticipated new Polo GTI with power output of 141kW (9kW more than its predecessor). The new Polo GTI is clearly recognisable as the sporty flagship derivative of the new Polo model range.’

Volkswagen South Africa has officially launched the latest version of the Polo GTI today. As with European models, six-speed manual gearbox and seven-speed DSG semi-automatic versions are available. The appearance is the same, too, with 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ alloy wheels fitted as standard as well as a smattering of ‘GTI’ badges. The DSG-only at launch (manual transmission is expected to arrive in the second half of the year) 141kW 2015 South African Volkswagen Polo GTI is priced from R326,400.

0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds
Performance of the new South African Polo GTI is on a par with European and UK models. Featuring the same 1,798cc single-scroll turbocharged ‘EA888’ petrol engine, power is up 9kW from the 1.4 TSI Polo GTI to 141kW (189bhp).

This means the sports-orientated flagship Polo can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 236km/h (146mph). Peak power comes in between 4,300 and 6,200rpm in the manual car and from 5,400 to 6,200rpm when the DSG gearbox is specified.

Torque for the DSG-equipped car is limited to 250Nm between 1,250 and 5,300rpm, but the manual model gets a full fat 320Nm to play with between 1,450 and 4,200rpm. Performance figures are the same whichever version is chosen.

Volkswagen states that the DSG transmission was specially configured for the 141kW GTI engine across a variety of individual parameters, characteristic curves and engine mappings. CO2 emissions are improved when compared to the outgoing TSI twin-charged car, with the manual version recording 139g/km, the DSG 129g/km.

‘Exceptionally agile and secure handling’
The suspension of the new Polo GTi has been retuned to deliver ‘exceptionally agile and secure handling’ handling. The chassis of the Polo GTI is 10mm lower at the front and 15mm at the rear when compared to its regular Polo siblings. A beefier anti-roll bar helps keep body movement in check.

Increasing the wheel width by half an inch – now 7.5 inches wide – also plays its part. Like other market versions, Volkswagen South Africa is offering the new Polo GTI with an electronically-adjustable damper system, the ‘Sport Performance Kit’.

The ‘Sport Select’ suspension is adjusted by a ‘Sport’ button in the centre console of the Polo GTI, which activates an electromechanical switching valve in the dampers. This alters the tuning from a comfort-orientates basic setting to one which exhibits the stiffer characteristics of a more traditional sports suspension set-up.

The new electromechanical steering system also gains more weight, and the accelerator pedal gains sharper responses. A sound actuator filters a more tuned engine noise into the cabin. Braking is taken care of by 310mm brake discs at the front of the car with 230mm discs at the rear.

Standard safety systems
The new Polo GTI also features Volkswagen’s XDS+ electronic differential lock, ESC Sport electronic stability control, engine drag torque control, ABS and Hill Hold Assist.

Further standard safety systems include an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System which automatically brakes the car in the event of an impact to prevent a secondary accident, and a Driver Alert System which detects falling levels of driver concentration, firing a warning alert in the instrument panel accompanied by an audible alarm.

Prominent red striping
Of course, the Polo GTI has to look like a GTI, and there’s definitely no mistaking the latest hot Polo for anything else. Prominent red striping on the front grille stretches into the headlights (LED units optional) and honeycomb patterns adorn the covered openings. Flared door sills, 17” “Parabolica’ alloy wheels, and red brake calipers add more visual presence in profile.

Moving to the back, ‘Dark Red’ rear lights, a gloss black rear roof spoiler, grained diffuser and twin exhausts differentiate the sportiest production Polo to date. Inside, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel features red stitching, and the floor mats are trimmed with red edgeds.

The heated sports seats feature leatherette and alcantara trim (they miss out on the ‘Jacky’ tartan cloth of European and UK models), while footwell lighting, black headlining and aluminium pedal caps add the final sports touches.

Phone and audio streaming
The 5.8-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system with colour touchscreen offers Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phone and audio streaming, and a proximity sensor (menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen).

There is also a CD-player, USB connection, MP3 functionality, and auxiliary and SD-card inputs for external audio source as well as six loudspeakers. The MirrorLink function also allows Android smartphones to be displayed and controlled on the Polo GTI’s infotainment system.

Available to order now, the new South African Polo GTI also features a 3-year/45,000km Service Plan, 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 15,000km.

Options offered include LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof, Park Distance Control (front and rear), Climatronic air-conditioning and a Rear Assist Camera system. Visit www.volkswagen.co.za for more details.




The refreshed version of the Volkswagen Polo has recently gone on sale in the Philippines. The evergreen small VW first hit the Philippines market last year in sedan form, and now the hatchback joins it as the refreshed fifth-generation 6C package. Available to order from PHP950,000, an ‘attractive’ financing scheme is offered to entice buyers, as well as a low PHP95,000 downpayment.

Polo hatchbacks in the Philippines are powered by a 1.6-litre, 104bhp petrol engine married to a six-speed automatic gearbox. Equipment includes 15-inch ‘Riverside’ alloy wheels, multifunction leather steering wheel, ‘Livon’ upholstery, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, RCD320 radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/SD card/USB multimedia system, Bluetooth connectivity, and air-conditioning.

Available in five colours – Copper Orange, Candy White, Night Blue Metallic, Flash Red, and Carbon Steel Grey – all Polo hatchbacks bound for the Philippines are produced at Volkswagen India’s Pune factory which exports Polos and Polo saloons (also called Vento/Polo Sedan) to a total of 32 global markets.

‘The Polo hatchback is indeed a perfect combination of quality and driving pleasure and is targeted to be one of our volume sellers. Now on its fifth-generation, the Polo hatchback offers excellent levels of comfort, functionality, reliability, and long-term quality,’ said John Philip Orbeta, President and CEO of VW Philippines.

Volkswagen Mexico has recently launched the revised Polo 6C, with first exports of the model coming from Volkswagen India’s Pune factory. While the Mexican Nuevo Polo receives most of the visual refinements the refreshed 6C model brings, it keeps simpler head and tail light graphics, and uses the older style of alloy wheel to keeps costs down.

The range is simpler, too. Only one version is available, fitted with a 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine. Five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes can be chosen, while standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, ABS, fog lamps, and an FM/CD/MP3/AUX-IN/Bluetooth-compatible radio system.

While appearing similar, the interior of the Mexican Polo 6C does without the new colour touchscreen infotainment systems seen in Europe (instead relying on a monochrome white on black display), and is fitted with a simpler, non-multifunction steering wheel.

The manual version of the Mexican Nuevo Polo is priced at 189,700 pesos. Volkswagen India’s Pune plant also builds the Polo’s saloon sister model – the Vento – for export to Mexico. It is the largest single export market for Volkswagen India.

More details on the Mexican Nuevo Polo can be found here.

In an unsurprising move, Volkswagen India unwrapped the latest version of the Polo 6R-based Vento this week. A refreshed model in a similar vein to the updated Polo which recently went on sale, the updated three-box saloon now includes a 1.5 TDI model available with a seven-speed DSG gearbox – a first in the class.

Standard features on all models include twin front airbags, dual-beam headlamps, an upgraded instrument panel, redesigned alloy wheels, footwell lights, Bluetooth connectivity, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel, as seen on the refreshed Polo. Following the Indian trend for brown-coloured saloons, new colours include Toffee Brown (pictured) and Night Blue.

The new 1.5-litre engine also sees service in the New Polo. Producing 103bhp and 183lb ft (250Nm) of torque, the TDI unit joins the 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6 MPI engines already in use. Volkswagen India states that all of the New Vento powerplants offer ‘an excellent blend of power, performance and fuel economy’.

The seven-speed double-clutch DSG gearbox can be coupled to both the 1.2 TSI and 1.5-litre TDI, and offers improved fuel economy and lower tailipipe emissions. The 1.2 TSI produces 103bhp as before, while the 1.6-litre petrol engine has the same power output but less torque (112lb ft vs 129lb ft).

Overall, the changes echo those of the Indian-market New Polo and bring the three-box Vento into line with the hatchback range. Available in three trim levels, the New Vento is on sale now priced from Rs 7.44 to Rs 10.94 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). Visit www.volkswagen.co.in for further information.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN VENTO PRICES
1.6 MPI: Rs 7.44 – Rs 8.87 lakh
1.2 TSI DSG: Rs 9.35 – Rs 9.92 lakh
1.5 TDI: Rs 8.57 – Rs 9.90 lakh
1.5 TDI DSG: Rs 10.49 – Rs 10.94 lakh

2014 VOLKSWAGEN VENTO MODELS
1.6 MPI: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline
1.2 TSI DSG: Comortline, Highline
1.5 TDI: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline
1.5 TDI DSG: Comortline, Highline

Volkswagen South Africa has announced a refreshed version of its best-selling Polo Vivo range. The entry-level Volkswagen now features revised styling as well as new equipment. Four trim levels are now available: Conceptline, Blueline, Trendline and Confortline. GT and Maxx variants of the hatchback will join the revised family later.

Just as with the revised version of the Polo 6R, the enhanced Polo Vivo has a tweaked face. The chrome-trimmed grille now sees the lower strip continue into new headlights to bring into line with newer Volkswagens, while the lower bumper is similar to the outgoing Polo 6R.

A lower bumper chrome insert is available on higher-spec Trendline and Comfortline models. Body-coloured door handles and mirrors are a feature of these versions, too, as well as the performance-orientated GT.

Moving inside, Conceptline, Trendline and Comfortline models boast new interior trims, while Trendline, Comfortline, GT and Maxx derivatives are all now equipped with a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Red and white illumination is now standard for the instrument displays.

Trendline models receive a four-speaker audio system (optional on Conceptline and Blueline cars) with radio/CD/MP3/Bluetooth/USB capability, while GT and Maxx drivers can enjoy an enhanced soundscape with a further two speakers.

The Polo Vivo’s safety and security kit rosta has also been improved. ABS, an alarm, remote central locking are standard on all versions, while Comfortline models and above receive front fog lamps. Speed-sensitive power steering is fitted on all variants, as is air-conditioning.

Conceptline models receive ‘Afrika’ seat trim and 14” wheel trims. Blueline cars get ‘Lakeside’ 15-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres, a tailgate spoiler and lowered suspension. Trendline models feature lower bumper chrome inserts, front electric windows as well as ‘Portland’ 14-inch alloys.

Comfortline cars boast ‘Sinalma’ 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights. Sporty GT variants add ‘Rocket’ seat trim, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, ‘Cordoba’ 15-inch alloy wheels, a tailgate spoiler and sports suspension. The CrossPolo-style Maxx version is equipped with ‘Budapest’ 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails and raised suspension.Cruise control is optional on all new Polo Vivos.

In opposition to the revised Polo 6R, the one thing which hasn’t changed on the refreshed Polo Vivo is the engine range. The 55kW (74bhp) and 63kW (84bhp) 1.4-litre, and the 1.6-litre 77kW (103bhp) petrol engines all remain. As before, five-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a tiptronic automatic unit is available on selected models.

Over 149,500 Polo Vivos have been sold in South Africa since the car was introduced back in March 2010. Based on the facelifted Mk 4 Polo introduced in 2005, both hatchback and saloon (sedan) versions are available. The Polo Vivo is built locally at Volkswagen South Africa’s Uitenhage factory and is the country’s best-selling passenger car over the past four years.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN POLO VIVO PRICES
Hatchback
1.4 55kW Conceptline: R142,700
1.4 55kW Blueline: R148,000
1.4 63kW Trendline: R157,500
1.4 63kW Trendline Tiptronic: R172,800
1.6 77kW Trendline: R171,500

1.6 77kW Comfortline: R177,200
1.6 77kW GT: R177,200
1.6 77kW Maxx: R180,900

Sedan
1.4 55kW Conceptline: R148,700
1.4 55kW Blueline: R154,000
1.4 63kW Trendline: R163,500
1.4 63kW Trendline Tiptronic: R178,800
1.6 77kW Trendline: R169,300
1.6 77kW Comfortline: R177,500

A three-year or 120,000km warranty is included with a five-year or 60,000km maintenance or service plan optional at extra cost.