PoloDriver

Back in 1983, the high performance Polo Sprint was built to provide handling data for Volkswagen engineers, and with the arrival of his Volkswagen UK XDS electronic differential lock-equipped 178bhp Polo GTI, Rich Gooding looks at the important role the Sprint played in the development of modern-day traction control systems

Renault is king of stuffing large engines aft of the front seats into its small hatchbacks, but few people realise that Volkswagen has done it, too. Showing its wild side, VW unveiled the rear-engined Polo Sprint at a company press conference in 1983. The idea was a simple one: to make a small and light, high-performance vehicle built using production components.

A one-off prototype for evaluating handling data and aiding Volkswagen’s computer modelling, the Polo Sprint was rear-wheel drive, and powered by a 1.9-litre, flat-four engine from the Caravelle. Starting life as a 90bhp Caravelle Carat unit, a supercharger (which went to become the G40 blower), fuel injection and an intercooler boosted engine output to 155bhp, more than enough to give the Sprint a sometimes lively rear end.

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This caught our eye. We’re used to modified Polos gracing the pages of UK tuned Volkswagen magazine Performance VW, but maybe none like this. Richard Vale’s modified Polo is no tuning parts special. An early version of the blown coupé, Vale’s white G40 has been built with the sole purpose of taking on hill climbs. Harewood Hill Climb near Leeds being one of them. Competing in class 1B for modified production cars up to 2.0-litres, the 750kg, near-200bhp ex-Polo G40 Cup racer regularly takes on its larger rivals and emerges victorious. Find out what raft of modifications make Vale’s Polo a stripped-out special by grabbing a copy of the latest (July 2010) issue of Performance VW magazine, on sale now from all good stockists. UK readers who prefer to get their modded Volkswagen kicks digitally can read the magazine on their Apple i-devices by visiting the iTunes App Store and downloading the Performance VW app.

[Image: Performance VW]

We didn’t see this one coming. The latest issue of Volkswagen modders’ title Performance VW, has a feature on the very pretty Series 2 Polo saloon, owned by ‘hardcore Dubber’ Brett Keane. The 1988 Porsche Arctic Silver car features early Polo saloon square headlights, shortened tail lamps (a very subtle and neat visual trick), and ‘old-skool’ 7×13” ATS Classic alloy rims. Power is provided by a 1272cc-based HH Sorg Motorsport Formula Konig engine, fed by Weber twin-40 carbs. It really is a stunning machine, and so simple, too, providing instant inspiration. To read the full story, buy a copy of the February 2011 issue of Performance VW magazine, available until 10 February.

[Image: Performance VW]

2011 unbelievably marks 30 years since the Series 2 Polo took over from the successful Series 1 model. Why unbelievable? We can remember when the second-generation hatchbacks, coupés and saloons were a common sight on UK roads. The Series 2 Polo was even Volkswagen UK’s best-selling model for a time during the 1980s. So, to celebrate, we’ve started a Series 2 Polo official publicity image gallery as part of our ‘Heritage’ section of the site. We’ll be adding shots throughout the year and may even have a model focus or two on the cars themselves. Head over here to see the first four images, most probably taken from the car’s European press launch in Sardinia.

It might be winter, but here’s something to encourage the sun to shine. The Series 2F Polo built from 1990-1994 had arguably the most special editions than any other Polo generation, with over 17 at last count. But, ultimately the rarest and most bespoke of them all is the Treser ‘Open Air’, made by Treser in Ingolstadt, home of Audi. That’s not the only four-ringed connection; Walter Treser was an ex-Audi engineer, who after leaving the company, set up his own outfit making bespoke sports cars. So what was he doing turning Polos into two-seat cabriolets? Read on to find out at least some of the answers.

The Polo Treser ‘Open Air’ wasn’t cheap, with the conversion costing DM16,000 on top of the cost of the 55 and 75bhp basic Polo donor cars. All Polo Treser Cabrios were not only ordered from the Volkswagen dealer, but also received a full VAG-approved guarantee. The standard four-seat Polo coupé body was fitted with so many modified panels, it was almost as handbuilt as more luxurious prestige cars. Only the front wings, doors and bonnet remained as Volkswagen had intended, with the rear wings and tailgate modified to take the new rear deck. New colour-coded sportier bumpers were fitted front and rear, while a new ‘beak’-style front grille replaced the standard VW slatted item.

The new roof was similar to a targa in that the panel directly over the occupants’ heads could be removed completely, leaving a B-pillar type arrangement and glass rear window. This too could be taken off the car, leaving a smooth and sports car-like body. When the roof was in place, the Polo Treser ‘Open Air’ had something of a notchback appearance, an unfortunate by-product of leaving the body shell’s B-pillar support in situ. This could then be folded behind the seats, and whichever way you look at it, while not graceful, the Treser ‘Open Air’ did inject some style and glamour into the then-dated Polo range.

Most Tresers were based on Polo GTs, and while 10 of the 290 produced were produced at Treser itself, the remaining 280 were converted by a firm in Austria. All Treser Cabrios were built between 1991 and 1993. Nowadays you’ll be lucky to see one, but one other question remains. Were Volkswagen inspired by the Treser Polo ‘Open Air’ for their special-edition Series 3 Polo namesake from the mid-1990s which featured an electrically-operated rollback-style canvas roof? We suspect not, but as with other aspects of Volkswagen Polo history, the Treser ‘Open Air’ is just one small and interesting part.

[Source: Treser-Club.com. Special thanks to Carsten Nitzsche]