PoloDriver

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo once again claimed its best-selling car in South Africa crown last month. A total of 4263 Polo Vivos found new homes in September 2014, no doubt buoyed by the launch of a refreshed model.

The recently revamped fifth-generation Polo (6R) was in the top three, too, sitting in third place with 2152 units sold. A total of 5726 Polo 6Rs were also exported from Volkswagen South Africa’s Uitenhage factory.

Sandwiched in-between the Polo Vivo and Polo was the Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest, selling 2320 examples, according to the figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines.

Costing from R142,700 for the base-model 1.4 Conceptline hatchback to R180,900 for the top 1.6 Polo Maxx, the 2014 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009.

A new version of the fifth-generation Polo (6R) is now available as a three and five-door hatch, in addition to the four-door Polo Sedan.

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.

Despite many tough battles at the sixth round of the 2014 Engen Volkswagen Cup, Dewald Brummer brought home the silverware at Zwartkops over the weekend of 30-31 August. Sheldon van der Linde emerged as runner-up for both races.

Van der Linde set the qualifying pace, closely followed by Brummer and Shaun la Reservée. Race one saw Juan Gerber in pole position with Brummer in second and van der Linde in third. Brummer finished the 10 laps first however, with Van der Linde behind him, followed by Mathew Hodges.

Hodges was on pole for the second race at the South African circuit, ahead of La Reservée and Brummer. Again, Brummer claimed the chequered flag after 12 laps, closely followed by Van der Linde and Tasmin Pepper.

When the overall race day results were taken in account, Juan Gerber was the fastest ‘Master’, having finished fifth and sixth in race one and race two respectively. Behind him was Hodges and Trevor Bland.

The weekend also saw a change in the championship lead. Van der Linde is now at the top of the points table, with his team-mate Daniel Rowe second with just six points separating the Ferodo Racing pair. Brummer ties with Rowe, so with two rounds of the 2014 series to go, the title fight is still very much wide open.

RACE RESULTS

Race 1
1 Dewald Brummer (2: MAD Racing / Grand Prix Models)
2 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)
3 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters)

Race 2

1 Dewald Brummer (2: MAD Racing / Grand Prix Models)

2 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)

3 Tasmin Pepper (31: PG Glass / Blue Label Telecom)

Overall

1 Dewald Brummer (2: MAD Racing / Grand Prix Models)
2 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)
3 Shaun la Réservée (7: Alpine Motors / Compendium Insurance)

MASTERS

Overall

1 Juan Gerber (M8: Haupt Racing)
2 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters)

3 Trevor Bland (M6: PG Glass / Suburban Panelbeaters)



CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing), 249
2 = Daniel Rowe (11: Ferodo Racing), 243
2 = Dewald Brummer (2: MAD Racing / Grand Prix Models), 243

In a repeat of June, the Polo was the best-selling vehicle during July 2014 in South Africa, according to the most recent tally of sales figures announced by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).

Beating the Toyota Hilux once again, 3330 South African Polo 6Rs were sold last month. And, once again, the Polo perched atop the best-selling passenger car tables, too, outselling its cheaper Polo Vivo sibling by 443 units.

The latter is still selling remarkably well considering it is based on the facelifted version of the Mk 4 Polo, first launched in 2002.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines.

Costing from R138,200 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R178,800 for the top 1.6 Polo Maxx, the 2013 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009.

A new version of the fifth-generation Polo (6R) is now available as a three and five-door hatch, in addition to the four-door Polo Sedan.

The Polo emerged as the best-selling vehicle during June 2014 in South Africa, according to sales figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). 2994 South African Polo 6Rs were sold last month, 367 more than the Toyota Hilux.

The Polo sat at the top of the best-selling passenger car tables, too, outselling its cheaper Polo Vivo sibling by 357 units. In May 2014 it was the reverse – the Vivo sold 2467 units, while 2326 Polos found new owners.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines.

Costing from R138,200 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R178,800 for the top 1.6 Polo Maxx, the 2013 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009. A new version of the fifth-generation Polo (6R) is now available as a three and five-door hatch, in addition to the four-door Polo Sedan.