PoloDriver

The latest version of the most economical Polo, the BlueMotion, has just been released for sale. Long and exclusively powered by a diesel engine, the new model also fields a petrol version. At a stroke it has created a lineage back to the early 1980s when another Polo was aiming to provide environmentally-friendly motoring. Its name? The Formel E.

Over a series of model profiles, PoloDriver.com will be looking at the most fuel-efficient Polos in each generation and the technology which made them so frugal. The story starts with the Polo Formel E of 1980 and finishes with the new diesel and petrol Polo BlueMotion TDI and TSI.

The first profile in the series is of the Mk 1 Polo Formel E, which first appeared in the autumn of 1980. Read about the first Volkswagen supermini which was fitted with a high compression engine and special economy-minded gearbox here, and check back for updates on all of the Polos that boasted remarkable parsimony and very economical leanings.

The special edition model had played a small part in the Mk 1 Polo’s history, the denim-upholstered Jeans of 1976 and the highly-equipped run-out 1981 LX being the versions of note. But, the arrival of the second-generation Polo in 1981 ushered in a whole new era of special editions which would litter the car’s life from the start until its face-lifted end in 1994.

Arguably the most prolific and the most popular, the Fox arrived 30 years ago in 1984, and was to eventually become a mainstay in the second generation Polo line-up. From special edition to permanent base model, the Fox started life as a unique Polo hatchback, but subsequently appeared as a coupé, both in pre- and post-facelift versions. Here is its story.

POLO FOX
1984: Polo Fox hatchback
The first Polo Fox appeared in June 1984, based on the basic version of the estate car-like Polo hatchback. Marketed with the headline ‘Polo – Fun at a great price. The new Polo Fox.’, it was easy to identify. A choice of two unique colours – Türkisblau and Saimagrün – marked it out as something different.

Both models featured colour-coded steel wheels (white on Türkisblau cars and Saimagrün on Saimagrün versions), special flank and rear hatch ‘Fox’ graphics, while Türkisblau models featured white bumper pinstripes and white badges front and rear. Saimagrün versions meanwhile had Saimagrün rear badges and a similarly-coloured Volkswagen badge on the front grille.

Inside, unique exterior body-coloured padded seats featured imitation leather upholstery and head restraints, and a simple canvas cover for the luggage compartment was fitted. The Fox was powered by the second-generation Polo’s most basic engine, a 1043cc petrol unit, developing 40bhp. The 4.5-inch wheels and 135 SR 13 tyres were driven through a four-speed manual gearbox. Price was DM11.490.

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Robert Templeton and Jack Eddy are planning to drive a 1988 Polo hatchback ‘breadvan’ from London to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.The ‘Mongol Marauders’ (as Templeon and Eddy will be known) are just one of around 400 teams who will complete the mammoth 10,000-mile Mongol Rally 2014 for charity.

It won’t be easy. The car is 25 years old for a start (how does that happen – the Mk 2 Polo first appeared 31 years ago), no stop-offs are planned, and no approved routes are given by the organisers. To make its just a bit more of a challenge, Templeton and Eddy are planning to drive back to Blighty, too.

The Mongol Marauders’ chosen charities are Help for Heroes and Cool Earth. If you would like to sponsor the pair and their Polo, donate to their causes, email themongolmarauders@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/mongolmarauders. Follow the duo on Twitter, too: @mongolmarauders. The Mongol Rally 2014 starts on 20 July, and the finish line ‘opens’ for competitors on 9 August.

GAZ has released a height-adjustable suspension kit for the 1990-1994 Polo G40 (we presume that the kit is also suitable for earlier pre-facelift Mk 2 cars). Suitable for ‘fast road’ and track use, the GAZ damper units allow damping adjustment while in situ, courtesy of easily-accessible adjuster knobs. Ride height can be adjusted by -25 to +65mm. The coilovers are provided for all four corners of the car, but donor front struts are required as axle components are reconditions and then transferred to the new kit.

The units boast a coarse acme form thread, and each one is plated in black zinc to minimise corrosion. High-quality springs are also included, and rates can be altered on request to suit customers requirements. Chrome silicone springs are also available as an option. Before leaving the factory, all units are individually tested and are covered by a 2-year warranty. The recommended retail price for the GAZ GHA coilover kit is £723.45 plus VAT. Visit the GAZ website for more detailed information.

Volkswagen Classic entered a 1990 Polo G40 at the recent running of the Auto Zeitung Youngtimer Classic 2013 car rally. Once again the event – the fourth – started and ended in Frankfurt, and was open to cars built from 1969 to 1993. Around 100 classics took the roads around the city, completing a timed 280km course. Volkswagen Classic usually sends cars to the event from its ‘rolling museum’ and this year sent a pristine Polo G40 (we think the same car used to launch the Polo GTI in the UK in 2010), as well as a 60bhp 1989 Golf and a Golf Limited-powered, 210bhp Corrado G60 from the same year. The 1990-1994 Polo G40 developed 112bhp from its supercharged 1.3-litre engine, and posted a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds. Another G40 and a 1978 Audi 50 (Mk 1 Polo) driven by Audi Tradition also took part on the event.