PoloDriver

Volkswagen India’s factory at Chakan celebrated a production milestone at the end of 2014, with a record 111,444 cars produced at the Pune plant. An increase of 11.4 per cent over the 2013 calendar year was recorded, thanks largely to exports to the Mexican market.

The Vento (Polo saloon) was the most popular car made in Chakan with 67,010 units built, with the Polo and Vento-based Škoda Rapid also boosting production numbers (33,547 and 10,887 units respectively). The refreshed fifth-generation Polo and Vento both debuted on the Indian market during 2014.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said: ‘Almost every second car made at this plant last year was exported to the Mexican market.’ The Chakan factory exports finished cars to over 32 countries on three continents, with export volumes growing to 308 per cent when compared to 2013.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

It’s been another busy and exciting year for the Volkswagen Polo. Of course, the big news of 2014 has been the worldwide launch of a comprehensively revised version of the fifth-generation Polo. New engines, safety technology, interior refinements and a gently restyled exterior update it against refreshed competition.

On the asphalt and gravel stages of the World Rally Championship, the Polo has, like 2013, once again come out on top. Taking 12 event wins out of 13, the 300bhp four-wheel drive Polo R WRC has claimed the Manufacturers’ Championship title for Volkswagen Motorsport, and also carried Frenchmen Sébastien Ogier the Julien Ingrassia to their second consecutive Drivers’ Championship prize.

Other Polo-based motorsport series have also continued around the globe, with Wolfsburg’s small car competing as a rally, rallycross and also a track machine. Here, we round up the Polo’s biggest achievements in 2014. (Bold entries are illustrated by the picture above that particular month.)

January

– Refreshed fifth-generation Polo (known as ‘6C’) presented in Wolfsburg
– Polo ends 2013 as the eighth best-selling car in the UK
– 2014-specification Polo R WRC rally car unveiled

– Sébastien Ogier wins 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo with Polo R WRC

– Polo Vivo and is the best-selling car in South Africa for 2013; Polo 6R is runner-up

– Polo is the fifth best-selling car in the UK.

February

– Jari-Matti Latavala takes Polo R WRC to victory in Rally Sweden
– New Polo MY2015 production starts at Volkswagen Navarra factory
– New Polo BlueMotion, BlueGT and CrossPolo revealed ahead of Geneva motor show
– Volkswagen Motorsport signs rallycross partnership with Marklund Motorsport
– Polo is the sixth best-selling car in the UK.

March
– Mathew Hodges and Daniel Rowe take wins at 2014 Engen Volkswagen Cup opener
– Sébastien Ogier wins Rally Mexico, with Jari-Matti Latvala in second place
– Polo hatchback and saloon prices reduced in Brazil
– Volkswagen Sasolracing Polo S2000 triumph at 2014 Tour Natal Rally
– New Polo released for UK ordering – prices and full specifications announced
– Dewald Brummer and Tasmin Pepper take Engen Volkswagen Cup spoils at Killarney
– Polo is the seventh best-selling car in the UK.

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A new special edition Polo has been announced for the German market. The Polo Lounge comes with unique exterior embellishments and a choice of four petrol (59-109bhp) and three TDI engines (74-104bhp). Prices start at €15.200 for the five-speed 1.0-litre model and rise to €20.375 for the 89bhp TDI with DSG.

Extra exterior kit distinguishing the Polo Lounge from its siblings includes dark red rear lights, silver 6J x 15 ‘Novara’ alloy wheels, gloss black front grille, ‘Lounge’ badges and dark-tinter rear windows. Inside, there are ‘Deep Inox’ centre console inlays, ‘Tartan’ upholstery, leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever, and ‘Lounge’ floor mats.

Other standard equipment features front fog lights, ‘coming home’ headlight function, rain-sensing wipers, fatigue detection system, ‘Climatronic’ climate control, auto-dimming interior mirror, cruise control and six speaker ‘Composition Colour’ infotainment system.

Optional packages include the R-Line styling package comprising of colour-coded rear spoiler, ‘R-Line’ badging, ‘R-Line’ bumpers, and 7J x 17 ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels. A ‘Lounge Plus’ package adds ‘Salvador’ 7J x 16 alloy wheels, LED headlights, headlamp washers, and a low washer fluid level warning light.

The Polo Lounge is just one of the Volkswagen’s new Club and Lounge new special edition models, launched this month by Volkswagen’s new ‘Marketing Manager’ Robbie Williams. To find out more, click here.

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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Volkswagen UK is playing Santa and has opened its order books today for the new petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion TSI, which will be priced from £14,730. The 1.0-litre TSI emits 94g/km of CO2 and Volkswagen UK quotes a 68.9mpg combined cycle economy figure.

Traditionally a model with an eco mindset, the new Polo BlueMotion TSI marks the first time the car has been available with a petrol engine. The newly-engineered three-cylinder unit has 94bhp with maximum torque of 160lb ft (118Nm) produced between 1500-3500rpm.

Drive is through a five-speed manual gearbox, and the Polo BlueMotion will reach 62mph from rest in 10.5 seconds and has a maximum top speed of 119mph. A three-cylinder diesel 74bhp 1.4-litre TDI BlueMotion version is also available, returning 91.1 mpg and emitting 82g/km of CO2.

Polo BlueMotion models are based on the S trim level, and add a special styling pack consisting of uniquely-shaped front and rear bumpers, side skirts and rear roof spoiler. A faired-in radiator grille, body-coloured door handles, and body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators also differentiate the BlueMotions from other Polos.

Further exterior enhancements include front fog lights with static cornering function, BlueMotion badging, and 15-inch ‘Buenos Aires’ alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres.

Inside, there’s a multifunction leather steering wheel, air conditioning, a front centre armrest, touchscreen ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system, cruise control and Volkswagen’s Driver Alert System. The Polo BlueMotion comes with a ‘Think Blue’ trainer, which advises on how to drive in a more economical fashion by analysing journey patterns.

The Polo BlueMotion is available to order now, with first deliveries expected in March 2015. For more information on the Polo BlueMotion and other Polo models, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN POLO BLUEMOTION PRICES (UK)
Polo BlueMotion 1.0 TSI 3dr 94bhp 5-spd manual: £14,730
Polo BlueMotion 1.0 TSI 5dr 94bhp 5-spd manual: £15,360
Polo BlueMotion 1.4 TDI 3dr 74bhp 5-spd manual: £15,795
Polo BlueMotion 1.4 TDI 3dr 74bhp 5-spd manual: £16,425