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The latest group of sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the Polo has slipped out of the monthly top 10 best-selling cars in the UK list for a second month. But, it’s still standing firm at number seven in the 2011 year-to-date registrations chart with 38,597 units sold. The Ford Fiesta is still number one, selling 51,643 examples, while Vauxhall’s Corsa posted a figure of 30,792 units. Last month, registrations of superminis posted their first rise in figures since June 2010. Other notable statistics from the SMMT’s June’s figures show that the Golf was the best-selling diesel model for the first six months of 2011, but was pushed into second place in June 2011 by the Vauxhall Insignia.

In the wider picture, UK new car registrations fell 6.2% last month with a total of 183,125 units sold. The average new car CO2 emissions fell to a record low of 138.9g/km in quarter two, dipping below 140g/km for the first time, down from 144.2g/km in 2010. Supermini registrations enjoyed an improved market share in June, up one percentage point to 36.7%. ‘June new car registrations continued to perform in line with industry expectations with robust demand in the fleet sector and a relatively weak retail market. The balance of demand makes this a tough time for vehicle manufacturers and their dealer networks,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. The UK’s top 10 best-selling cars (number of units sold) for 2011 year-to-date are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 51,643
2 Ford Focus: 43,825
3 Vauxhall Corsa: 38,597
3 Volkswagen Golf: 33,118
5 Vauxhall Astra: 32,883
6 Vauxhall Insignia: 25,950
7 Volkswagen Polo: 22,897
8 BMW 3 Series: 21,866
9 Nissan Qashqai: 19,992
10 Mini: 18,619

With the Volkswagen Polo R Cup India 2011 the only dominant competition series featuring motorsport-prepared versions of the Polo 6R – at last until the Polo R WRC comes on stream – car website Zig Wheels has gone behind the scenes and shot a film of what it takes to build a Polo R Cup racer. Starting with a painted body shell pulled from the production lines at Volkswagen’s Pune factory, it takes three days for the Volkswagen Motorsport engineers to transform the road car skeleton into the toughened racing car. Powered by 128bhp 1.6 TDI engines, the Polo R Cup cars only run in the special one-make Indian championship. Polo R Cup racing additions over a standard Polo include a hefty roll cage and an in-car drinking system to quench the drivers’ thirst and avoid dehydration. Zig Wheels’ video clip also features two racers in striking new-for-2011, Polo R WRC-inspired livery.

The fifth-generation Polo-based Vento saloon has been on sale in India since summer last year, and both it and the Polo are doing great things for Volkswagen in the country. This 60-second TV spot for the car focuses on the emotional attachment the Volkswagen workers have to the car, because of their ‘craftmanship’ that goes into making it. Reminding us of the ‘Full of lovely stuff‘ cake-themed commercial for the Škoda Fabia, this one’s a little less cute, but it gets the message across. Of course, the Vento is no more ‘crafted’ than any other mass-produced car, but the handsome Polo-derived shape and mini-Jetta looks endow it with a certain appeal. The Vento is available with four doors, and in Trendline and Highline guises, powered by Volkswagen’s latest 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines. Prices start at Rs 6,99,00, and a special ‘IPL Edition’ cricket-themed model is also available with an added kit count.

Volkswagen has actively started to look for drivers for its 2013 Polo R WRC rally car, by launching a testing programme using Škoda Fabia SWRC works rally cars. The new talent assessment tests will be run throughout 2011 at selected rallies, in the hope that Volkswagen Motorsport can find new star rally drivers who have the potential to go on to be world champions. Two Scandinavian teams (one Norwegian, one Finnish) will contest the Finland Rally from 28-31 July. Established WRC drivers are also not being rules out. The Polo R WRC is expected to make its competitive debut on the 2013 Monte Carlo Rally. The full Volkswagen Motorsport press release follows.

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GTI International is arguably the UK’s largest water-cooled Volkswagen event, and in 2011 celebrates its 24th birthday. Held last weekend (25-26 June) at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire and despite damp weather on Saturday, a record turnout was recorded according to organisers Autometrix Publications (publishers of independent Volkswagen Driver and Audi Driver magazines). Warm weather on Sunday brought out Polos of all styles and generations to rub tyres with the Mk 1, Mk 2, Mk 3, Mk 4, Mk 5, and Mk 6 Golf GTIs from which the event takes it name. If you’re a genuine water-pumper Volkswagen enthusiast, then the event will need no introduction. But, for those who have never been before, serial Polo/car enthusiast and journalist Alex Grant was there for us on Sunday to record the best Polos in attendance. Click the slideshow below to see which Polos caught Alex’s eye.

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