PoloDriver

Following success with its cricket-themed ‘IPL Edition’ Vento, Volkswagen India has launched the Polo and Vento ‘Breeze‘ special limited edition models. Launched in a fanfare with a ‘Breeze Weekend’ at its 77 retailers, Volkswagen India state that the Breeze models feature up to Rs 40,000 of extra equipment. The Polo Breeze is available with both 1.2 (75bhp/55kW) and 1.6-litre (104bhp/77kW) petrol engines and in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trims. The Vento Breeze meanwhile comes with either a 1.6-litre petrol or the same capacity diesel engine, both developing 104bhp/77kW.

Both models come with special ‘Breeze’ badging at the rear and on the C-pillar and (nice, these) unique rear seat cushions. Extra kit on the Polo Breeze includes a Navon 4.3-inch satellite navigation system, special ‘Breeze’ seat covers and floor mats, as well as rear parking sensors. The Vento Breeze’s special equipment includes a touchscreen multimedia player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a centre armrest between the front seats. The hatchback Polo Breeze is available in a choice of six colours, while the notchback Vento’s palette features two fewer options. Ex-showroom prices for the Polo and Vento Breeze special models start at Rs.4.5 lakhs and Rs.6.95 lakhs respectively.

On 26 August, Volkswagen Group Malaysia launched the Polo GTI 6R at the Sepang International Circuit. Launched in Europe in May 2010, the Malaysian model appears the same as the European variant, but there are however, some key differences, especially when compared to UK cars. Engine and transmission choice is the same (178bhp/132kW, 1.4-litre TSI unit with seven-speed DSG gearbox), but Malaysian cars are equipped with a multifunction steering wheel, parking sensors, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and an electric panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, all of which are optional extra-cost items in the UK. As in South Africa, Malaysia Polo GTIs come with alcantara seat coverings (optional on UK SEL models) as opposed to the ‘Jacara’ cloth in Europe.

Despite having more power than its direct predecessor, the 148bhp Polo GTI 9N3, the GTI 6R is 24% more fuel efficient, and has CO2 emissions of 139g/km compared to 188g/km of its ancestor. Weight is unchanged to the European cars at 1194kg, and performance is the same as in other markets. Top speed is 142mph/229km/h, and the 0-62mph/0-100km/h dash is dispensed with in 6.9 seconds. Power is transferred to the front wheels via the DSG gearbox, and an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces the tendency to understeer. Prices start at RM132, 888.00 for the three-door version while the five-door is priced at RM135,888.00. The Polo GTI comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty plus a five-year roadside assistance package. Visit www.volkswagen.com.my for details.

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Various internet sources are reporting that Volkswagen will launch a plug-in hybrid powertrain version of the Polo in ‘coming years’. AutoWeek.nl state that Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed to Auto Zeitung last week that it was ‘necessary’ for the German giant to have at least one plug-in hybrid vehicle on sale, and that the Polo and Golf were prime candidates for such eco-friendly models, especially as Toyota has launched hybrid ‘HSD’ versions of both the Auris and Yaris. Volkswagen have already developed an electric hybrid version of the Golf, the blue-e-motion, which develops a maximum output of 114bhp/85kW, continuous power of 68bhp/50kW, and 200lb ft/270Nm of torque. The Golf blue-e-motion is scheduled to go on sale to the general public in 2013.

The Polo climbed two places up the UK best-sellers chart to sixth place last month, while the Ford Fiesta was once again the nation’s favourite, with the Vauxhall Corsa in third, according to the latest batch of UK sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT). New car sales in the plate-change month of September saw 332,476 new cars registered, just 0.8% down on the same period in 2010. September is the second largest single month for new car registrations, and 2011’s figures are just behind March 2011’s 366,101 units, representing 17% of the annual market. Despite declining 2011 volumes, superminis accounted for the largest proportion of this September’s figures, at 37.8%.

‘The all-important September market outperformed expectations and is less than 1% below last year at 332,476 units,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. ‘We expected 2011 to be a challenging year and we are on track for a full year total of around 1.92 million new car registrations, 5% below 2010. SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96 million units; a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies. It is important government acts to sustain an investment-led recovery and implements measures to encourage more private sector investment in R&D, skills, new plants and machinery.’ The UK’s top 10 best-selling cars in September 2011 and the year-to-date (sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 15,647 (77,198, 1st)
2 Ford Focus: 14,754 (67,672, 2nd)
3 Vauxhall Corsa: 14,339 (60,959, 3rd)
4 Volkswagen Golf: 10,628 (50,013, 4th)
5 Vauxhall Astra: 10,462 (49,042, 5th)
6 Volkswagen Polo: 8607 (36,655, 7th)
7 Vauxhall Insignia: 7323 (38,386, 6th)
8 Mini: 6903 (28,097, 10th)
9 BMW 3 Series: 6352 (33,650, 8th)
10 Nissan Qashqai: 6068 (30,763, 9th)

As has become customary, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo was the top-selling passenger car in South Africa last month. In three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan (saloon) configurations, the Vivo claimed the sales top spot with a total of 3679 sales, according to figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). In a repeat of recent months, September 2011 saw the the fifth-generation Polo do well, too, coming in second again, with 2528 units. These two models accounted for 16.4% of the South African September 2011 car market alone. ‘Volkswagen Group South Africa again topped the total passenger market with sales of 8495 vehicles, and a market share of 22.4%,’ said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines. Costing from R104,065 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the top 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the 2011 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009. The new fifth-generation Polo is also available as both a three and five-door hatchback in addition to the recently-launched four-door notchback Polo Sedan.