PoloDriver

On 6 March, Volkswagen South Africa celebrated the production of the 1,250,000th Polo at its factory in Uitenhage. Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa joined in the celebrations, together with employees and management of the vehicle assembly line.

Local and international markets
The South African Volkswagen plant which is 1,000km from Johannesburg builds both the current fifth-generation Polo, Cross Polo and its entry-level sister, the Polo Vivo, which is based on the 2005-2009 facelifted fourth-generation Polo. Uitenhage Polos are produced for local and international markets, with some right-hand drive models exported to the UK.

Polo Vivo meanwhile is an African-only model, introduced in 2010 to replace the Citi Golf. From December 2016, Kenya joined Uitenhage as a production facility and the car is sold in both countries. Both Polo and Polo Vivo have been the best-selling passenger cars in South Africa for the past seven years.

The 518,912 square-metre Uitenhage plant is a Volkswagen ‘Think Blue’ sustainable-initiative factory, and employs 4,000 people. In 2015 it built 120,000 Polo, Cross Polo, and Polo Vivo cars, in addition to 113,000 1.4 and 1.6-litre ‘EA111’-series engines for consumption by the whole VW group. Fifty-five per cent of the vehicles produced at Uitenhage in 2015 were exported.

After missing the chart in January, the Volkswagen Polo is once again one of the UK’s top 10 most popular cars. In February 2017 – and despite being only months away from the end of production – 1,746 examples of the fifth-generation VW supermini found new homes, putting it in seventh place.

The latest registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) once again saw the Ford Fiesta at the top of the most popular cars list, even as, like the Polo, that car is due to be replaced by a new model very soon. A total of 4,282 Fiesta were registered in February, the small Ford sitting pretty at the top of the year-to-date figures pile, too.

The UK’s top 10 most popular passenger cars during February 2017 and the year overall (sales figure and position in brackets) were as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 4,282 (12,777, 1st)
2 Volkswagen Golf: 2,949 (8,404, 2nd)
3 Vauxhall Astra: 2,170 (6,235, 4th)
4 Ford Focus: 1,971 (6,767, 3rd)
5 Nissan Qashqai: 1,829 (5,329, 6th)
6 Mercedes-Benz C Class: 1,760 (5,990, 5th)
7 Volkswagen Polo: 1,746 (4,742, 9th)
8 Audi A3: 1,532 (4,650, 10th)
9 Vauxhall Corsa: 1,362 (5,260, 7th)
10 BMW 3 Series: 1,341

(The 2017 year-to-date top 10 most popular car absent from February 2017’s registration figures was the eighth-placed Nissan Juke with 4,759 cars registered.)

This one slipped past us rather unnoticed. The latest Polo GTI ‘6C’ has attracted largely favourable reviews from both the press and owners, the 1.8-litre TSI-engined version of Volkswagen’s smallest sports hatchback having first appeared in 2015. With a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds and 189bhp, it is the most powerful series production Polo GTI to date. Or at least, until yesterday, we thought it was.

Power boost to 227bhp
It turns out there is an even hotter version of the legendary-badged Polo. Say ‘hello’ to the Volkswagen Polo GTI 230, which, as its name suggested, receives a power boost to 227bhp (230 PS). More surprisingly, it is an officially-sanctioned Volkswagen production product. Launched in April 2016, it is limited to Switzerland only. And, as restricted as its market availability is the number available: only a paltry – but rather neat – 230 examples are available to buy.

German tuner ABT has been roped in to help with upping the power to liberate an extra 38bhp over the standard Polo GTI, which sees the special edition make 265lb ft/360Nm of torque and romp on to a top speed of 149mph. The 0-62mph dash is now 0.2 seconds quicker, too, and thankfully – enthusiasts rejoice! – a six-speed manual is available alongside the seven-speed DSG transmission. Sadly, choice is rather more limited when it comes to the looks: the Polo GTI 230 is only available with five doors.

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

‘GTI 230’ decal badges
As befits a special edition go-faster model, ‘unique’ graphics tell other hot hatch fans what you are driving, with the Polo GTI 230 featuring carbon fibre door mirror caps, as well as a ‘GTI 230’ decal badge on the tailgate, and ‘GTI 230’ red and carbon-coloured foils on the door bottoms, front bumper upright sections and the bonnet. While they are more on the tasteful side, if you’re really a restrained type of driver, they may still be a little too much.

Standard equipment is upped on the regular Polo GTI, too. The ‘Sport Select’ package (amplified cabin sound, enhanced accelerator and steering response, and adjustable suspension), ‘Composition Media’ (with Bluetooth/DAB+ and App-Connect) infotainment system, electrically-folding door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, front central armrest, LED headlights, Volkswagen ‘Plug & Play’ subwoofer-fed 300W sound system, and a winter package all feature on the GTI 230.

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI 230

‘Motorsport’ alloy rims
Perhaps more excitingly, although the Polo GTI 230 comes with the same 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ black and diamond-cut finish alloy wheels as the standard car, a set of black 10-spoke ‘Motorsport’ rims are also thrown in, complete with winter tyres and snow chains to deal with the sometimes harsh Swiss seasons. Optional kit on offer is the same as the regular Polo GTI, and includes a panoramic sunroof and leather or alcantara-trimmed seats.

How much for all this limited number, souped-up Polo GTI? CHF 29,100 to you sir or madam, around £23,251 at today’s exchange rates. A ‘customer benefit’ (yep, us too, no idea) of CHF 5,000 is available but with that not included, the Polo GTI 230 costs around £2,000 more than its standard 189bhp sister. Not that all that matters, as it’s all academic anyway: unless you’re in Switzerland, you can’t buy one.

Will the Polo GTI 230 sell? It still appears on the Volkswagen Switzerland website, so we’re guessing it hasn’t sold out already. The Swiss do have form, though, when it comes to special Polo GTI models: the 100-unit run GTI Carbon Edition of 2012 was even more limited. So it seems, in Switzerland at least, there is clearly a market for a slightly more obvious example of a not-usually-obvious German hot hatchback…

Want to find out more about the Volkswagen Polo GTI 230? Download a brochure here.

Available at VW retailers from 27 January to 14 February inclusive, Volkswagen UK has launched the Polo Event, a multi-incentive way to buy a new Polo. A deposit contribution with inclusive insurance provides the foundation of this new pair of special offers, with the addition of a free service plan and a discount on the Polo Style Pack for prospective customers.

Savings potential
A £1400 deposit contribution is available to those who opt for a Volkswagen Financial Services’ Solutions Personal Contract Plan at 6.2 per cent APR representative (1). Volkswagen states that the savings potential on Polo models under the Polo Event promotion is enhanced by the offer of one year’s free insurance which is included in the offer (2).

During the duration of the Polo Event, all customers who order a new Polo will benefit from a free service plan, too, which includes the first two services (3). The £318* Polo Style Pack will also be discounted to by £82 to £236* during the special promotion period. Consisting of stainless steel door trims and tyre valve caps, tailgate chrome strip finisher and chrome exhaust trim, the Style Pack adds sports-orientated flourishes to the Polo’s smart shape.

As standard, every Polo model in the range features Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, a five-inch Composition Colour touchscreen infotainment system, and Electronic Stability Control. Entry-level S models start at £11,830* before the Polo Event offer is applied. Move up to Match Edition cars – from £13,315* – and automatic wipers, cruise control, parking sensors, and a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with App-Connect are all standard.

300-watt sound system
The £14,215* Polo Beats meanwhile features a 300-watt sound system with an eight-channel amplifier, while the £16,840 OTR SEL boasts LED headlights, 16-inch ‘Rivazza’ alloy wheels. The £16,760* Polo R-Line meanwhile features an ‘R-Line’ styling pack for added visual appeal. The ultimate sports Polo, the 189bhp £19,430* GTI, gets from 0 to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds, and is identified by its honeycomb and red-trimmed grille, 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ alloy wheels, as well as red brake calipers.

The Polo GTI’s eco-adversary, the BlueMotion, is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces just 98g/km** of CO2, and has claimed combined cycle economy of 67.3mpg**. The Polo BlueMotion starts at £15,310*. The model with one eye on performance and economy, the 147bhp £18,440* Polo BlueGT has cylinder deactivation technology which shuts down two of the engine’s cylinders on light loads to keep fuel consumption low at a claimed 58.9mpg**.

For more details on all the models in the Polo range, together with brochures and pricing, and to use Volkswagen’s online configurator, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

* RRP and On The Road (OTR) prices.

** Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are standard EU test figures for comparative purposes, and may not reflect ‘real world’ driving results. CO2 emissions shown refer to standard specification only.

(1) At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. Available on Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 18s and over. Subject to availability. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Excess mileage charges up to 4.8p per mile. Offer available when ordered by 14 February 2017. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services.

(2) One year’s insurance included at no extra cost from Volkswagen Insurance is available on new Polo models ordered from 21 December 2016 to 3 April 2017 and registered by 30 June 2017 for drivers aged 18-80 (BlueGT and GTI is 25 and over). Drivers under 18 are not eligible. Residents of Northern Ireland must be aged 19-80 and must have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 2 years. Drivers aged 18-24 are required to share their driving style data with a telematics product. Other eligibility criteria apply. Go to www.insurewithvolkswagen.co.uk/polo for full terms and conditions. This offer may be extended, changed or removed at any point. Volkswagen Motor Insurance from Volkswagen Financial Services is arranged and administered by Carrot Risk Technologies Limited.

(3) Covers first two consecutive services (limited to one oil service and one oil and inspection service).

The latest special edition of the current fifth-generation Polo has been launched in Germany. Not to be confused with the Polo Beats, the Polo Sound is just one of a new range of Sound models, which encompass all sizes of Volkswagen from the Up to the Sharan. Volkswagens states that the special Sound models have ‘innovative equipment’ and ‘wireless connectivity’, and all have distinctive features.

Distinctive features
On the Polo Sound, those distinctive features include front fog lamps, a gloss black front grille, 65 per cent darkened rear privacy glass, special ‘Sound’ B-pillar badges, and most distinctively of all, suitably-named 6J x 15 ‘Woodstock’ alloy wheels. Inside, there are LED-lit footwells (for that proper ‘nightclub’ feeling no doubt), ‘Equalizer’ dashboard trim, ‘Sound’ cloth-upholstered seats with ‘Wild Cherry’ stitching, and ‘Climatronic’ climate control.

The six-speaker ‘Composition Colour’ infotainment system can be upgraded with the optional 300-watt set-up from the other sonically-christened Polo, the Beats, which brings an eight-channel amplifier and a sub-woofer which really should make the Polo Sound live up to its audibly-tinged name.

Volkswagen claims that the enhanced audio option makes the Polo Sound ‘an impressive private club’, and while we doubt that, it comes as part of an €1250 ‘Sound Plus’ package which includes 7J x 16 ‘Salvador’ alloy wheels and LED-daytime running lights. An R-Line package is also available for Polo Sound models, and at €1185, features 7J x 17 ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels, and an R-Line body styling kit.

Prices for the Polo Sound start at €15,925 for the 1.0-litre 59bhp five speed manual version, rising to €21,175 for the 1.4-litre 89bhp TDI with seven-speed DSG gearbox. Find out more about the Polo Sound on the Volkswagen website.