PoloDriver

It’s not often gems like this turn up. Currently for sale on autotrader.co.uk is this pristine 1990 Polo Ranger. Totally genuine and unmolested, it may not be the most in demand of Polos, but it’s a unique piece of the small Volkswagen’s history. Finished in Stratos Blue Metallic and complete with its original 55bhp 1.3-litre engine, G108 CDG has covered only 52,000 miles. It comes with full service history with every MoT from new. Standard Ranger kit is all present and correct and includes: twin-light grille, roof rails, sunroof, flush wheel trims and graphics. There’s even the original dealer-supplied numberplates and an unused spare tyre! It really does deserve to be saved as it is and not modified, but at £1675, we’re unsure as to whether it will find many takers. Interested? View the ad and more pictures here.

[Image: autotrader.co.uk]

The one millionth fifth-generation Polo 6R has been produced in Volkswagen’s factory in Pamplona, Spain and has landed in Sydney, Australia to be united with its owner Allan Anonat (seen receiving the car from Dealer Principal Darryl Pribut). The five-door Candy White Polo GTI (with panoramic roof, xenon headlamps, daytime running lights and 17” ‘Detroit’ polished alloy wheels) left Spain in July and arrived in Port Kembla, New South Wales this month. The fifth-generation Polo was introduced in 2009 and has been a success in Australia, winning a host of major awards from motoring magazines and websites.

[Source: vwwatercooled.org.au]

Generally, we’re not big fans of SUVs at PoloDriver, which is why we were surprised and excite at the idea of the Taigun, Volkswagen’s latest sports utility offering, unveiled at the São Paulo motor show today. Officially a concept, and previewing the look of a small SUV based on the platform of the award-winning Up platform, it looks fantastic with its wide front grille and blistered wheelarches. We thought it was much larger than its city car underpinnings suggest, and although the profile and door apertures suggest a three-door body, the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillar, riding on the wave of recent launches such as the new Renault Clio.

The Taigun is 3.86m long and 1.73m wide, but has a generous 2.47m wheelbase. Its powered by the forthcoming Up GT’s three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre engine, developing 109bhp @ 5000rpm (129lb ft/175Nm of torque) and is front-wheel drive, transferring power via a six-speed manual gearbox. Weight is commendably low at 985kg and does wonders for the fuel economy, which is rated at 60.1mpg on the combined cycle. Performance from the newly-developed triple is more than adequate: 0-62mph comes up in 9.2 seconds, while the Taigun has a 115mph top speed.

The handsome looks of the Brazilian debutant are clearly based on the larger Tiguan and Touareg, but with injections of new sharp-edged Volkswagen DNA. And with bright colours suiting it best, we really do think it should enter production as it is. The high-tech and minimal cabin would change of course, but features air vent controls for direction of air flow, blower speed and temperature, as well as smartphone integration and auxiliary gauges.

Also unveiled in São Paulo was the three-door version of the Gol, a car which sits inbetween the Polo and Golf in size. Brazil’s best-selling car for the past 25 years, it may not be as glitzy as the Taigun, but it is much more significant, selling seven million examples. It’s a good-looking, if slightly bland car, but blends element of the current Polo up front and at the rear, with shades of the Audi A1 in profile. And as for the A- (windscreen) pillar and front wing joins – they are pure Mk 2 Polo!

The official line is that Volkswagen will be ‘monitoring public reaction to the Taigun before taking a decision on whether to put this vehicle into production’, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised, if, like the Mk 7 Golf GTI concept shown at the Paris motor show, the junior SUV hits urban landscapes soon. With rumours of a MQB-platform Polo SUV abound and due for launch in 2014, could the Taigun provide us with a clue as to how it looks?

Here’s 68 seconds of fun for a Friday. Founded in 2009 by Adnan Ebrahim, motoring website carthrottle.com aims to ‘make car discovery fun again,’ and bills itself as a site with ‘funky fresh news, reviews and videos with a sprinkling of celebrity.’ Its content is certainly fun, as this Polo GTI video which was posted earlier this week shows. A spoof take on the famous 1987 Volkswagen ‘Casino’ ad, it ends with the tag line ‘Guys. Try It’, alluding to the German car makers famed hot hatch brand. Very nicely shot and very tongue in cheek, it stars one of Volkswagen UK’s press cars, and is one of the funniest pieces of film we’ve seen this week (Ice Dude notwithstanding). Find all of carthrottle.com’s videos here.

Volkswagen UK announced today that the Polo BlueGT is now available to order, with the first customer deliveries expected in December. Available from £17,400, the BlueGT mixes near-economy figures of the Polo BlueMotion with near-performance levels of the Polo GTI. Powered by a 138bhp, 185lb ft (250Nm) turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, the unit has active cylinder deactivation (ACT), which shuts off two cylinders at low engine speeds, as first seen in the Audi A1. This results in a claimed 61.4mpg on the combined cycle, and 107g/km. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but buyers can also choose the seven-speed DSG transmission. Top speed is 130mph and 0-62 mph takes just 7.9 seconds. The Polo BlueGT is the first production Volkswagen car to have the ACT technology fitted.

The new EA211 engine automatically closes down cylinders two and three under light and medium loads (between 1400-4000rpm and 18-74lb ft – 25-100Nm – of torque), producing fuel savings of up to 0.4 litres per 100km in the EU driving cycle. At a constant 30mph (50km/h) the savings can be as much as one litre per 100 km, and even at 44mph (70km/h) in fifth gear, Volkswagen says that around 0.7 litres per 100km can be saved. The two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated when the accelerator pedal is pressed and all mechanical switchovers occur within 13 to 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed. A display in the instrument binnacle lets the driver know when cylinders are deactivated.

Externally, the Polo BlueGT is distinguished by multi-spoke 17-inch ‘Montani’ alloys and blue-coloured GT badges front and rear, while the suspension is lowered by 15mm. There’s also a Polo GTI rear spoiler, front and rear bumpers and LED daytime running lights), and Polo BlueMotion side sills and front windscreen rain channels. A black-painted front grille and black door mirror caps complete the look, while a unique exterior paint, ‘Blue Silk’, is available as an option. The BlueGT also borrows the Polo GTI’s black interior roof lining and instruments, while a unique BlueGT-emblemmed steering wheel and sports seats feature in the cabin, along with DAB radio/iPod connectivity, cruise control, and a Bluetooth connection.

Polo BlueGT prices (18 October 2012)
Polo BlueGT 3dr: 6-spd manual, 107g/km, 61.4mpg, £17,400
Polo BlueGT 5dr: 6-spd manual, 107g/km, 61.4mpg, £18,020
Polo BlueGT 3dr: 7-spd DSG, 107g/km, 61.4mpg, £18,745
Polo BlueGT 5dr: 7-spd DSG, 107g/km, 61.4mpg, £19,365

Note: the car shown has optional xenon headlights and no front fog lights.