PoloDriver

It’s been another exciting year for the Polo. Of course, the big news of 2013 has been that the small Volkswagen won its first World Rally Championship title in its debut season, but there have been other, smaller victories, both in sales and awards this year. Other Polo motorsport series have also continued around the world, with the car competing as both a rally and track machine. Here, we round up the Polo’s biggest achievements in 2013. (Bold entries are illustrated by the picture above that particular month.)

January
– Polo ends 2012 as the eighth best-selling car in the UK
– Polo R WRC takes second place on 2013 Rallye Monte Carlo, its debut event
– Polo Vivo is best-selling car in South Africa; Polo 6R is runner-up
– Polo is the eighth best-selling car in the UK.

February
– Volkswagen Polo S2000 and Sasol 2013 South African National Rally Championship partnership announced
– Auto Bild and Auto Express magazines test the Polo R WRC road car
– Polo TDI launched in Nepal
– Vento (Polo 6R saloon) launched in Algeria
– Polo SR announced for India
– Sébastien Ogier scores maiden Polo R WRC win at Rally Sweden
– Polo Vivo Maxx launched in South Africa
– PoloDriver tests the Polo R-Line
– Jeffrey Kruger and Kosie Weyers win South African 2013 Engen Volkswagen Cup opening rounds at Kyalami
– Polo Vivo maintains its best-seller position in South African new car market
– Polo is the seventh best-selling car in the UK.

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Following its adoption in Malaysia and Mexico, the Polo Sedan has been introduced to the Philippines. Based on the Vento, the fifth-generation 6R Polo-based saloon currently on sale in India (and marketed elsewhere as the Polo Sedan), the four-door notchback becomes the cheapest Volkswagen in the Philippines, available for 950,000 Philippines Pesos. Offered in top-spec Highline trim only, the car is fitted with the ubiquitous 1.6-litre, 104bhp TDI engine available in other markets.

As standard, the Filipino Polo Sedan is available with 15-inch alloy wheels, ABS, front airbags, a CD/USB/AUX-in music system, manual air-conditioning, and a five-speed manual gearbox. Indian Autos Blog reports that the Philippines’ Polo Sedan is rumoured to be manufactured in and exported from Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in India. JP Orbeta, President of Automobile Central Enterprise Inc, VW’s Philippines distributor, said: ‘Volkswagen has always been known as the People’s Car, and now with the introduction of the Polo Sedan, the possibilities of owning a fine German car with the latest in technological advancements becomes more attainable for the Filipino.’

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Fresh from launching the Vento TSI, Volkswagen India has just announced the Vento Corporate Edition. Essentially a no-cost accessory pack as opposed to a new model, the latest newcomer is aimed at business users. Available on Trendline, Comfortline or Highline models, the Corporate Edition pack brings Rs 40,000-worth of accessories including alloy wheels, door protectors, door sill trim, mud flaps, navigation system with rear view camera, rear boot lid spoiler, seat covers, and chrome window surround trim. The smart-looking extras can be added to 1.6-litre-engined Ventos.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Volkswagen has unexpectedly refreshed the Polo Sedan. The new model sees a price reduction from RM99,888 to an estimated RM86,888, despite boasting many new features. New equipment includes an RCD 320 radio system with Bluetooth, iPod and USB connections (and Golf 7-style design), Climatronic air-conditioning, and a height-adjustable front armrest. The exterior styling now includes a new design of headlamp, and the ‘Polo’ badge has been moved to the opposite side of the boot lid. The 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol engine and six-speed automatic gearbox stays. Sources state that the new car could in fact be the locally-made version, built from CKD kits at DRB-Hicom’s Pekan factory. The outgoing car is imported from the Pune plant in India.

It wasn’t expected until next week, but Volkswagen India has today announced the Vento TSI. Powered by the 1.2-litre, 104bhp turbocharged engine already seen in the Polo GT TSI, the Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) new saloon comes with a seven-speed DSG transmission, ABS, ESP, hill-hold function, twin front airbags, and ‘TSI’ badging. priced at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The TSI will replace the 1.6-litre automatic petrol Vento – the manual car will still be sold in both petrol and diesel variants.

Additional equipment highlights include ‘premium’ leather upholstery, sound system with USB/aux/SD card capabilities, rear air-conditioning outlets and 15” alloy wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres. “With the new Vento TSI, Volkswagen takes the lead with producing cars that are high-tech, powerful and efficient. With a turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, Vento TSI provides excellent performance and fuel economy,” Arvind Saxena, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Managing Director said.

[Source: zigwheels.com]

In a surprise twist, the Polo Vivo has lost its best-selling car in South Africa crown to the fifth-generation Polo 6R, according to the latest sales figures released by NAAMSA. Topping the charts in an almost unbroken run since its launch in March 2010, the entry-level Volkswagen Polo Vivo ‘only’ sold 2324 units in August 2013, whereas the Polo 6R found 2625 new buyers. The fifth-generation Polo (6R) is available as a three and five-door hatchback starting from R165,300, in addition to the four-door Polo Sedan which has an entry price of R172,200. The hatchback range includes GTI, BlueMotion and CrossPolo variants.