PoloDriver

Though it didn’t make the chart every month, the Volkswagen Polo ended 2013 as one of the UK’s best-selling cars, according to figures releases by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Volkswagen sold 42,609 new Polos during last year, resulting in an eighth place standing.

It’s consistent if nothing else, the Polo selling around the 40,000 figure during the 1980s. By contrast, the similarly-aged Ford Fiesta sold 121,929 units, and finished as the best-selling car in the UK, after a string of number one places during the year.

The Polo was also the eighth most popular car in the UK last month, while the Fiesta again sat at the top of the tree. Another popular Volkswagen was the Golf in fifth place.

The 2013 UK new car market recorded its best performance in five years. 2013 saw 2,264,737 cars registered, up 10.8 per cent on 2012 and exceeding SMMT’s 2.25 million forecast for the year.

Other SMMT stats include the facts that 2013 boasted the highest annual registration total since 2007 as December achieves the 22nd consecutive monthly rise, and on average, an additional 600 extra cars registered per day in 2013 than in the previous year.

The UK is now firmly secured as Europe’s second largest car market and the only one to grow consistently throughout the year. The UK’s top 10 best-selling passenger cars during December 2013 and the year (sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 8512 (121,929, 1st)

2 Vauxhall Corsa: 6414 (84,275, 3rd)

3 Ford Focus: 5559 (87,350, 2nd)

4 Vauxhall Astra: 5235 (68,070, 4th)

5 Volkswagen Golf: 4520 (64,951, 5th)

6 Vauxhall Insignia: 3956

7 BMW 3 Series: 3429 (43,494, 7th)

8 Volkswagen Polo: 3407 (42,609, 8th)

9 BMW 1 Series: 2679 (41,883, 9th)

10 Nissan Qashqai: 2516 (50,211, 6th)


(The 2013 top 10 best-selling car absent from last month’s sales figures is the Peugeot 208 in 10th place with 38,616 units sold.)

Following in the wheel tracks of the trio of tuned Polos by ABT, B&B Automobiltechnik and MTM, comes this Romeo Ferraris black Polo 6R.

While the German tuners’ specials were based on the limited-edition Polo R WRC ‘Street’, the hatch from the Italian outfit uses the lower-output Polo GTI as its foundation. A new CDA (BMC filter) air filter, and a new complete exhaust system with downpipe and 200-cell catalytic converter have been fitted, resulting in a 38bhp, 74Nm power increase.

Now with 216bhp, this upgraded Polo GTI also benefits from an extensive electronics overhaul, including a Romeo Ferraris module.

Chassis-wise, the car gains new Bilstein/Eibach shock absorbers and springs, making the three-door body sit closer to the ABT five-spoke matt black alloy wheels.

Externally, red detailing on the edge of the rims complement the standard red grille strips and brake calipers. The inside, though, is a different story. We’re not sure about the green leather interior to be honest, preferring the standard car’s ‘Jacky’ checked cloth with its red and grey accents.

Romeo Ferrari says that its Polo GTI is ‘ready to astonish enthusiasts of this car around the world’. While it may not be the wearer of extreme modifications, it’s one of a select band of specials based on the mainstream hot Polo. Find out more: bit.ly/1ffRlUw.

[Source: VWTuningMag]

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]

Volkswagen India has confirmed that it will export CKD kits of the Chakan-built Polo to Malaysia shortly. This follows news that the Polo Sedan on sale in Malaysia is now based on the Indian-built Vento (Polo saloon). CKD versions of the hatchback were sent to DRB-Hikom’s factory in Pekan during September for assembly. The new car will replace the current Malaysian Polo, which itself is based on the European model. The Indian-imported model has been spotted out testing, and appears to feature different rear lights with revised graphics.

The current Polo hatchback costs RM 114,888.00 and is fitted with the familiar 1.2-litre TSI engine, developing 103bhp. The powertrain is yet undefined for the new model, though those currently rumoured include a three-cylinder petrol unit or the Polo Sedan’s 1.6-litre 103bhp engine coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. An introduction date is yet to be announced, but Volkswagen Malaysia is offering an RM 5,000 rebate on new TSI-engined Polos until 31 December 2013, so a Malaysian market introducion could well be imminent.