PoloDriver

As the Polo gains providence in India, Gurgaon-based IDE Autoworks has created the Polo Gloss Black Edition. Basically a cosmetically-modified version of the current fifth-generation model, IDE Autoworks left the mechanical specification of the white-painted base car unchanged – only vinyls and stickers have been added. The beefed-up visuals complement the car’s lines, and are predominantly in black and red. Starting at the front, the grille and VW emblem are treated to a gloss black finish with red accents (even behind the flat face of the badge). The headlamps are finished in matt black with chrome detailing.

Running the length of the car is an asymmetric tricolour racing stripe in black, grey and red, while the driver’s door mirror gets a matching graphic. A similar stripe runs along the bottom of each side of the body, while the roof is finished in gloss black and matt grey. Finally, 16-inch black multi-spoke wheels with 205/50 tyres finish the car off. IDE Autoworks specialises in vehicle graphics, vehicle wrapping and personalised design solutions. The company is run by two automotive designers, Ankit Prashar and Himanshu Bhardwaj.

Amidst the rising popularity of customized vehicle modifications, ensuring the mechanical integrity of these enhanced automobiles becomes imperative. In this regard, Japanese Auto Repair emerges as a reliable ally for enthusiasts seeking both aesthetic enhancements and optimal performance. With their expertise in automotive maintenance and repair, Japanese Auto Repair ensures that the mechanical specifications of modified vehicles are meticulously maintained, guaranteeing safe and efficient operation on the road.

From routine maintenance tasks like oil changes and brake inspections to complex engine diagnostics and repairs, Japanese Auto Repair employs skilled technicians equipped with the latest tools and diagnostic equipment. Whether addressing mechanical issues or conducting preventative maintenance measures, their goal is to uphold the integrity and performance of every vehicle entrusted to their care.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Just as with its other manufacturing plants, Volkswagen runs a factory tour around its Uitenhage production site in South Africa. Visitors can watch the factory produce the two best-selling cars in the country – the Polo and Polo Vivo. However, the cars being made aren’t the only Polo-related link – the visitors see the whole production process from the seat of a ‘Polo-Train’. The factory tour vehicle uses leftover fifth-generation Polo 6R parts, creating a three-carriage train in which passengers sit to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of a modern car production plant.

Custom built by two Volkswagen Motorsport employees using recycled and unused car parts from the factory, the ‘Polo-Train’ took over three months to complete, with each car taking 30 days to build. Johnny Allen and Cobus Barnard used spare parts from the motorsport workshop as well as the Uitenhage plant. ‘We spent most of the time designing, sourcing parts and manufacturing the cars,’ explained Barnard, who has been with Volkswagen for 10 years.

‘We used left over paint from the rally cars, spare nuts and bolts as well trim off-cuts to deck out the cars. We built the chassis out of old tyre racks, which we cut in required lengths. The side panels and doors were moulded from scrapped parts from the factory,’ added Barnard. The factory tour ‘Polo-Train’ can seat 21 people, and is pulled by an electric motor. Matt Gennrich, General Manager of Communications at Volkswagen Group South Africa said: ‘We hope the vehicle will give our visitors a comfortable and memorable tour of our facility where we build world-class cars.’

‘We were initially planning to outsource the project, but we changed our minds after realising we have vast amount of experience in the company which we can tap on for our ambitious project. The decision to use internal expertise saved the company money and delivered world-class, quality work that we are very proud of,’ Gennrich continued. He hoped that the vehicle will be helpful in speeding up the factory tours especially with the senior citizens that can struggle to walk around the site.

In the past five years, nearly 43 000 people have visited the Volkswagen manufacturing factory. The Uitenhage factory tours take place during weekdays. There are two tours on Monday to Thursday at 09h00 and 12h00. On Friday, there is only one tour at 09h00. Bookings can be made through the Volkswagen AutoPavilion on (041) 994 5941/3. The visit includes the tour of the AutoPavilion, where some of the Volkswagen South Africa classic cars are on display.

Valid from 8-25 July, Volkswagen customers in India can buy a Polo or Vento with extra benefits under the ‘Fully Loaded’ scheme. Volkswagen India offers car finance, an annual maintenance contract, insurance, an extended warranty and roadside breakdown cover, all for a single EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) payment. Buyers pay 20 per cent of the car’s price upon purchase and the remaining amount over a period of 36 months. The Polo’s EMI is Rs 9999, while that on the Vento is Rs 14,699. The Polo is priced from Rs 4.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) while the Vento saloon costs from Rs 7.32 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

In related news, the CrossPolo has been seen testing in India. Not sold in the UK, the SUV-styled CrossPolo is popular in Europe. Indian Autos Blog reports that Volkswagen India has completed all the ARAI homologation formalities for the CrossPolo, so it’s ready for a market launch. The motoring site also claims that the car will only be launched as a diesel version, costing INR 25,000- 35,000 more than the Polo Highline TDI.

Fresh from winning the Sport Auto magazine’s 2013 Sports Car (Small Car category) award, Volkswagen has released 34 more photos of the purposeful-looking 217bhp Polo R WRC road car. The 2.0-litre, six-speed hot hatchback sees its first European deliveries in September. Prices start at €33,900 for each of the limited production run of 2500 cars needed for homologation. UK availability has yet to be confirmed. Click on the gallery above to see PoloDriver.com’s favourites from the latest batch of pictures of the hottest-ever Polo.

The Polo is still finding favour with UK car buyers according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The small Volkswagen was the UK’s seventh best-selling car in June 2013, and correspondingly, the seventh best-selling car in the UK for the year-to-date. The SMMT reported that new car demand is up 10 per cent in the first half of 2013, with private buyers driving growth. New car registrations passed the one million mark last month, growing 10 per cent in the first half of 2013 to 1,163,623 units.

June’s growth was the 16th consecutive monthly registrations rise, growing 13.4% to 214,957 units. Motorists switching to more fuel-efficient cars have helped reduce average new car CO2 emissions to 129.1g/km in first half of 2013, down 3.7 per cent on a year ago. Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive said: ‘June secured the 16th month of UK market consecutive growth, a clear indicator that manufacturers and dealers are delivering desirable new products with tangible cost savings from the latest fuel-efficient technology coupled to a wide variety of very competitive finance offers.’ The UK’s top 10 best-selling passenger cars during June 2013 and the year-to-date (sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 11,332 (63,040, 1st)
2 Ford Focus: 9128 (47,675, 2nd)
3 Vauxhall Corsa: 8868 (46,147, 3rd)
4 Vauxhall Astra: 7074 (33,731, 4th)
5 Volkswagen Golf: 5875 (32,131, 5th)
6 BMW 3 Series: 5432 (21,588, 8th)
7 Volkswagen Polo: 4703 (23,287, 7th)
a8 BMW 1 Series: 4678 (20,007, 10th)
9 Nissan Qashqai: 4507 (27,112, 6th)
10 Peugeot 208: 3649 (20,815, 9th)