PoloDriver

In the words of the marketing campaign for the Polo Vivo, Volkswagen Group South Africa has ‘so much to celebrate’. The Polo Vivo was the best-selling car brand in the country during 2010, with 23,297 units sold. The fifth-generation New Polo 6R also became a favourite with South Africans, finding 16,006 homes last year. 26,615 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa during December 2010, an increase of 38.9% when compared to the same period in 2009, while the full 2010 new passenger car market total was up 30.6% on 2009.

‘Volkswagen Group South Africa sold a total of 67 023 passenger cars in 2010 – growth of 34.3% over 2009 – 4% ahead of the total market year on year growth. With 19.9% of the total passenger market, Volkswagen Group SA was again passenger market leader,’ commented Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa. ‘Notably, Polo Vivo was firmly established as South Africa’s top selling passenger car. The new Polo also ensured that the Volkswagen brand continues to dominate the affordable, entry level segment of the market. Given the outlook for 2011, we expect continued growth in demand for new vehicles.’

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. Available as both a three or five-door hatchback and four-door saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines, two trim levels are available: base and Trendline. Costing from R104,065 for the most basic 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the Polo Vivo is based on the facelifted version of the Series 4 Polo, built from 2005 to 2009. The New Polo is available as Trendline, Comfortline, BlueMotion and CrossPolo models, costing from R147,180 to R224,500.

Although the Polo GTI may be getting all the buzz at the moment, we mustn’t forget what a fundamentally good car the more basic Polo is. Arguably the best-looking Polo since the Series 1 of 1975, the fifth-generation model wears its sharply-creased suit well, and serves up big doses of quality, refinement and performance. Launched – as the Series 2 Polo was – on the island of Sardinia, it’s hard to believe the Polo 6R has been with us since early 2009. We’ve updated our YouTube channel, PoloDriverTV, with official driving footage from the Sardinia unveil, and have more videos planned for later in the year. Head over or subscribe to PoloDriverTV to see the latest video updates.

The UK rate of value-added tax (VAT) rose 2.5% on 4 January 2011 to 20%, and Volkswagen has correspondingly realigned its ‘on the road’ prices for all models, the Polo included. The range stays as it is, with six basic models, and eight engine choices. The cheapest Polo is the three-door S with 59bhp, at £9995, a whisker under £10,000. BlueMotion models kick off with the £14,860 three-door, while the mid-range, fashion-conscious Moda 1.2-litre, 69bhp five-door is £12,810. The 84bhp 1.4-litre SEL three-door is £15,410 when ordered with the seven-speed twin-clutch DSG gearbox, while the 104bhp turbocharged TSI starts at £15,155. The fiery Polo GTI with 178bhp now starts at £18,790 for the three-door, while the five-door with the same 1.4-litre TSI engine is £19,410. A fixed price, 3-year/30,000-mile servicing plan is also available until 31 March 2011 for £299. Full prices and specifications for the 2011 Volkswagen Polo range can be found here.

As well as being exempt from road tax, from today, drivers of the Polo and Golf BlueMotion no longer have to pay the London Congestion Charge.* Under changes made to the rules governing the London Congestion Charge, vehicles emitting less than 100g/km of CO2 are no longer required to pay the £10 daily charge to enter the Congestion Charge Zone. The Polo BlueMotion (91g/km) and Golf BlueMotion (99g/km) both fit this criteria, allowing owners to potentially save over £2500 a year based on a daily commute into the UK capital.

All Volkswagen BlueMotion models feature a series of subtle yet effective modifications aimed at maximising efficiency. These take the form of optimised aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres, Start/Stop, battery regeneration and longer gearing. The result is less strain is put on the common rail diesel engine, which in turn leads to lower emissions and greater economy. Despite the keen focus on economy, the Polo BlueMotion is equipped with alloy wheels, air conditioning, a CD stereo system, electric windows, Hydraulic Brake Assist and ABS as well as driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, and is priced from £14,860.

* Customers must register with the TfL and make an annual £10 payment per vehicle. Failure to register will result in a fine.

[Source: Volkswagen UK]

The Indian-built, Polo-based Vento saloon will cost 2.9% more from today, 1 January 2011. Volkswagen announced the price rise at the end of 2010, and has blamed the constant rise of raw material prices and an increase in manufacturing costs. Profit margins are decreasing, so the German giant has been forced to pass on increases to its customers. Neeraj Garg, Member of Board of Director for Passenger Cars, Volkswagen India, said: ‘The company has been continuously facing the issue of rise in input prices for sometime now. Volkswagen has tried its best to absorb the price hike, but now it is too hard to maintain the quality for which the company is known.’

[Source: cardekho.com]