PoloDriver

The Polo Sedan range has recently been revised in Russia, with a new 1.6-litre engine added to the line-up. A new entry-level model called Conceptline has been introduced at 469,900 Roubles, and new option packages have also been made available.

The new 1598cc engine develops 83bhp and joins the more powerful and long-serving 103bhp unit already on sale. It is allied to a five-speed manual gearbox. The new petrol engine is available in Conceptline, Trendline and Comfortline models. The higher-output unit is available from Trendline specification upwards.

All-encompassing range revisions include new instrument panel graphics which have been added to all versions and even the most basic model now comes with air-conditioning. Separate packages for Conceptline and Trendline cars include ‘Comfort’ (heated and electric mirrors), and ‘Design’ (tinted rear windows and alloy wheels). The ‘Security’ package includes side-curtain airbags, an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and heated front seats.

Comfortline models can be chosen with a six-speed automatic gearbox on 103bhp models, while the ‘Comfort’ package adds an electrically-heated windscreen, leather trim, climate control and a central armrest. The ‘Multimedia’ package includes an RCD 320 CD/AUX/USB and Bluetooth sound system, while ‘Security’ package-equipped cars have ESP and rear parking sensors.

Finally, the ‘Comfort’ package for Highline models includes rear parking sensors, and automatic rear-view mirror, wipers and lights. Another package for all models benefits from the most popular accessories which are carpet mats and an alarm.

Find out more at www.volkswagen.ru/ru/models/polo_sedan.html.

The Polo emerged as the best-selling vehicle during June 2014 in South Africa, according to sales figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). 2994 South African Polo 6Rs were sold last month, 367 more than the Toyota Hilux.

The Polo sat at the top of the best-selling passenger car tables, too, outselling its cheaper Polo Vivo sibling by 357 units. In May 2014 it was the reverse – the Vivo sold 2467 units, while 2326 Polos found new owners.

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 R138,200 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R178,800 for the top 1.6 Polo Maxx, the 2013 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009. A new version of the fifth-generation Polo (6R) is now available as a three and five-door hatch, in addition to the four-door Polo Sedan.

Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in Pune, India has been making saloon versions (called Vento) of the current Polo 6R since 2011 and last week exported the 50,000th example. The milestone model was left-hand drive and was heading for a customer in Mexico. There, the car is known as the Polo Sedan, just as it is in South Africa.

Mexican exports from India started in October 2013, and as well as complete cars, the Pune plant sends Polo and Vento parts and components (CKD kits) overseas. IndianAutosBlog reports that as many as one car in three will be destined for Mexico.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India said: ‘The rising demand from Mexico mirrors the positive customer feedback of the Vento. Not only does this success help us in tackling the volatilities in the domestic market, but it also strengthens our export business in a sustainable way. With the success of our highest quality cars in this key market, we can further increase our scope of export to more countries in the near future.’

In related news, Volkswagen India has been busy in its domestic market. A new version of the Vento, the ‘Preferred’ has just gone on sale. Reportedly a 2013 Comfortline-specification model with added extras to clear out stocks, the Vento Preferred additional kit count includes alloy wheels and exterior chrome trim.

There are also side door protectors, sun visors (!), a boot spoiler, ‘Preferred’ badging and a reversing camera system with satellite navigation. Volkswagen India is also offering free roadside assistance for four years, as well as a year’s free insurance. All for Rs 10.74 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

The Vento Preferred is powered by the same 103bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine as other Ventos/Polo Sedans mated to a five-speed gearbox. Vento sales in India have dipped recently from 2049 units in October 2013 to 1191 in February 2014, reports IndianAutosBlog. Base models of both the Vento and Polo 6R hatchback have therefore been dropped accordingly.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Our friends at Indian Autos Blog have today confirmed that Volkswagen Russia has just sold the 200,000th Polo Sedan. Based on the fifth-generation Polo hatchback (6R), the Polo Sedan (or Vento in India) is also sold in South Africa. The 200,000th milestone car was a Comfortline petrol model.

The Polo Sedan was introduced in 2010, a year after the 6R hatchback. It is produced at Volkswagen Russia’s Kaluga factory, which itself produced its 700,000th car in November 2013.

A new version of the Polo Sedan, the ‘Style’ (above), hit the Russian market in January 2014. With a special Toffee Brown Metallic body colour, chrome detailing, dark-tinted rear windows, ‘Spokane’ alloy wheels, the Polo Sedan Style also features rear LED numberplate lighting and unique badging. The interior boasts chrome door sills, gloss black trim, climate control, Volkswagen’s latest design of radio system, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob.

As with most other markets offering the car, Volkswagen Russia sells the notchback Polo with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, coupled to either a five speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. The base Trendline variant is available only with the manual gearbox and is priced at 473,900 Roubles, while the mid-level Comfortline costs 558,900 Roubles. The range-topping Highline costs 639,900 Roubles.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

The Polo hatchback and saloon ranges have been reduced in price in Brazil ahead of the model’s discontinuation later in the year, reports Noticias Automotivas. Now starting at USD $46,690 for the Polo 1.6 hatchback, Polo Sedan (saloon) prices kick off at USD $48,790 for a similarly-engined car.

Reductions range from USD $2460 for the base model to USD $3250 for the Sedan in 1.6 I-Motion guise. The Brazilian Polo and Polo Sedan are based on the facelifted Mk 4 model, discontinued in Europe in 2009 with the introduction of the current 6R fifth-generation car. Find out more here.

2014 VOLKSWAGEN POLO / POLO SEDAN PRICES (BRAZIL)
Polo hatchback new price / old price
1.6: USD $ 46,690 / USD $49,150
1.6 I-Motion: USD $49,470 / USD $50,795*
BlueMotion 1.6: USD $51,220 / USD $53,680
1.6 Sportline: USD $49,190 / USD $51,683 R *
Sportline 1.6 I-Motion: USD $ 51,970 / USD $55,170

Polo Sedan: new price / old price
1.6: USD $48,790 / USD $51,990
1.6 I-Motion: USD $51,570 / USD $54,820
1.6 Comfortline: USD $51,290 / USD $54,280
Comfortline 1.6 I-Motion: USD $54,070 / USD $57,120
2.0 Comfortline: USD $54,890 / USD $57,880

[Source: Noticias Automotivas]