PoloDriver

With an estate-like rear end with long rear windows, the Series 2 Polo from 1981 was never a pretty car like the Series 1 from 1975, at least not until the coupé came along two years later. But, what would the Series 1 Polo have looked like if Volkswagen had been Series 2 radical a decade earlier? Over on Flickr, Littlepixel™ has been designing what he calls ‘Photochop’ cars since 2001, and his range of ‘chops include four Series 1 Polo-related models; a rally-inspired Audi 50 quattro, an Audi 50 saloon (think rebadged Volkswagen Derby), and ‘breadvan’ and Dodge Charger-inspired Series 1 Polos. Modified from the original press shots, we think they’re neat, and a glimpse as to what could have been. Head over to Flickr to see both Littlepixel™’s profile and his ‘chops photostream.

The countdown to the eagerly-awaited Polo GTI continues. While the flurry of left-hooker first drives has died down, there are still initial impressions to be found, most obviously online. Yes, the date of this first drive may be 10 June, but this test is still significant. Motor Trend is a well-respected US motoring title and this piece is penned by well-respected – and well-connected it would seem – UK auto scribe, Paul Horrell. The Polo isn’t currently sold Stateside, and rumours still persist of a forthcoming introduction there. However, recent reports state that any possible US-market ‘Hello’ may now not happen, but as potential buyers pestered VW to import the Series 5 1.8T Polo GTI of 2006, they’ll arguably like this new and more powerful version even more. Head over to Motor Trend and see if the smaller Polo GTI can cut it with its larger cousins, the Golf and Scirocco Rs.

In a story detailing Volkswagen’s plans for the Eos and other convertible models, UK auto title Car today reports that an open-air Polo is ‘still-tentative’ and could be ‘built by Karmann, starting in 2012.’ In a fresh flurry of reports, the buyout of Karmann’s facilities by VW could signal the revival of a convertible Polo. Of course, we’ve been here before, with the Polo Cabrio Concept of 2007 seen here. Actually built by Karmann as a one-off, the two-door, GTI-powered ‘study’, the Polo CC featured a soft top which included a glass sliding roof, an illuminated headliner using four small electroluminescent panels, foldable rear seats and a wide-opening boot. Could the proper open-air Polo idea be about to return?

We’ve been busy updating our YouTube channel, PoloDriverTV. Not only are there the latest Polo TV commercials from certain global territories, but you will also find official Volkswagen footage of the fifth-generation car, including driving scenes and static footage of both the three-door and BlueMotion models. We’ve recently tested the BlueMotion, too, along with the 1.2-litre SEL TSI; click here to view our downloadable digital magazine first drive report. Head over or subscribe to PoloDriverTV to see the latest updates.

German car magazine Auto Bild has achieved the obvious and brought together the Audi 50 and A1 in its latest issue. We’re surprised that no-one has done it sooner. Comparing the two small cars with the same big idea is interesting to see, and the chaps at Auto Bild have tracked down an unbelievably immaculate Marino Yellow 50 for the meeting with its grandson. With its green interior, the 1974 Audi really is a time machine, and with that pretty, pretty body, the one that we’d pick from the two. Auto Bild’s UK sister title Auto Express has some photos from the comparison in issue 1,126 on sale now. Find the original Auto Bild test and photo gallery here (English translation on this link).

[Image: Auto Bild]