PoloDriver

‘Volkswagen is introducing the eagerly anticipated new Polo GTI with power output of 141kW (9kW more than its predecessor). The new Polo GTI is clearly recognisable as the sporty flagship derivative of the new Polo model range.’

Volkswagen South Africa has officially launched the latest version of the Polo GTI today. As with European models, six-speed manual gearbox and seven-speed DSG semi-automatic versions are available. The appearance is the same, too, with 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ alloy wheels fitted as standard as well as a smattering of ‘GTI’ badges. The DSG-only at launch (manual transmission is expected to arrive in the second half of the year) 141kW 2015 South African Volkswagen Polo GTI is priced from R326,400.

0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds
Performance of the new South African Polo GTI is on a par with European and UK models. Featuring the same 1,798cc single-scroll turbocharged ‘EA888’ petrol engine, power is up 9kW from the 1.4 TSI Polo GTI to 141kW (189bhp).

This means the sports-orientated flagship Polo can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 236km/h (146mph). Peak power comes in between 4,300 and 6,200rpm in the manual car and from 5,400 to 6,200rpm when the DSG gearbox is specified.

Torque for the DSG-equipped car is limited to 250Nm between 1,250 and 5,300rpm, but the manual model gets a full fat 320Nm to play with between 1,450 and 4,200rpm. Performance figures are the same whichever version is chosen.

Volkswagen states that the DSG transmission was specially configured for the 141kW GTI engine across a variety of individual parameters, characteristic curves and engine mappings. CO2 emissions are improved when compared to the outgoing TSI twin-charged car, with the manual version recording 139g/km, the DSG 129g/km.

‘Exceptionally agile and secure handling’
The suspension of the new Polo GTi has been retuned to deliver ‘exceptionally agile and secure handling’ handling. The chassis of the Polo GTI is 10mm lower at the front and 15mm at the rear when compared to its regular Polo siblings. A beefier anti-roll bar helps keep body movement in check.

Increasing the wheel width by half an inch – now 7.5 inches wide – also plays its part. Like other market versions, Volkswagen South Africa is offering the new Polo GTI with an electronically-adjustable damper system, the ‘Sport Performance Kit’.

The ‘Sport Select’ suspension is adjusted by a ‘Sport’ button in the centre console of the Polo GTI, which activates an electromechanical switching valve in the dampers. This alters the tuning from a comfort-orientates basic setting to one which exhibits the stiffer characteristics of a more traditional sports suspension set-up.

The new electromechanical steering system also gains more weight, and the accelerator pedal gains sharper responses. A sound actuator filters a more tuned engine noise into the cabin. Braking is taken care of by 310mm brake discs at the front of the car with 230mm discs at the rear.

Standard safety systems
The new Polo GTI also features Volkswagen’s XDS+ electronic differential lock, ESC Sport electronic stability control, engine drag torque control, ABS and Hill Hold Assist.

Further standard safety systems include an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System which automatically brakes the car in the event of an impact to prevent a secondary accident, and a Driver Alert System which detects falling levels of driver concentration, firing a warning alert in the instrument panel accompanied by an audible alarm.

Prominent red striping
Of course, the Polo GTI has to look like a GTI, and there’s definitely no mistaking the latest hot Polo for anything else. Prominent red striping on the front grille stretches into the headlights (LED units optional) and honeycomb patterns adorn the covered openings. Flared door sills, 17” “Parabolica’ alloy wheels, and red brake calipers add more visual presence in profile.

Moving to the back, ‘Dark Red’ rear lights, a gloss black rear roof spoiler, grained diffuser and twin exhausts differentiate the sportiest production Polo to date. Inside, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel features red stitching, and the floor mats are trimmed with red edgeds.

The heated sports seats feature leatherette and alcantara trim (they miss out on the ‘Jacky’ tartan cloth of European and UK models), while footwell lighting, black headlining and aluminium pedal caps add the final sports touches.

Phone and audio streaming
The 5.8-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system with colour touchscreen offers Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phone and audio streaming, and a proximity sensor (menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen).

There is also a CD-player, USB connection, MP3 functionality, and auxiliary and SD-card inputs for external audio source as well as six loudspeakers. The MirrorLink function also allows Android smartphones to be displayed and controlled on the Polo GTI’s infotainment system.

Available to order now, the new South African Polo GTI also features a 3-year/45,000km Service Plan, 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 15,000km.

Options offered include LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof, Park Distance Control (front and rear), Climatronic air-conditioning and a Rear Assist Camera system. Visit www.volkswagen.co.za for more details.




Visitors to the Techno Classica classic car show in Essen, Germany from 15-19 April will see seven very special Polos celebrating four decades of the popular model. Volkswagen Classic will showcase the versatility of the Polo and mark its 40th birthday with a host of special brief talks, guided tours and promotions. The ‘40 years of the Polo’ exhibition will feature landmark Polos from the model’s past, both series and prototype cars.

Noted experts and Polo fans from the VW Polo IG Deutschland e.V. club will give the exhibition extra appeal, with knowledgeable guided tours and brief talks in a specially-designated area. Volkswagen Classic says that subjects talked about will range from the Polo’s model history to its motorsport background, as well as technical highlights such as G-Läder or Formel E versions.

THE TECHNO CLASSICA 2015 POLO EXHIBITS

Polo I, 1975, 0.9-litre, four-cylinder, 40bhp
The original 1975 Polo will be represented by an Oceanic Blue top-of-the-range ‘L’ version. Identifiable by its chrome bumpers and matching side trim, this Polo is extra special, as the paint colour was only available at the car’s introduction. The example on display at Essen will also be fresh from restoration. (Image: Volkswagen Classic)

Polo II hatchback, ‘Eco’ model, 1988, 0.9-litre, two-cylinder, 40bhp
The popular second-generation Polo hatchback will be represented by a special ‘Eco’ model prototype, powered by a 0.9-litre two-cylinder diesel with direct fuel-injection. This maximum-efficiency concept also featured exhaust gas recirculation, a system which opened the clutch and allowed the car to freewheel under its own motional energy, a start–stop system, a G-Läder supercharger, and a semi-automatic five-speed gearbox.

Polo II G40 ‘World Record’, 1985, 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, 129bhp
The only surviving prototype from a team of three, this unique Polo has been loaned by the AutoMuseum Volkswagen Foundation. A second-generation coupé, it was used to present the new G-Läder supercharging technology in impressive style in 1985, during a 24-hour world record attempt on Volkswagen’s own test track in Ehra-Lessien. With an average speed of 208km/h, the then record of 168.6km/h in the 1300cc class was shattered.

Polo IIF G40, 1992, 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, 113bhp
As well as the 1985 prototype endurance record car, a later series production Polo G40 Coupé from 1992 will also take pride of place on the Volkswagen Classic stand. The Windsor Blue car was recently used on the new 2015 Polo GTI press presentation.

Polo III Open Air, 1998, 1.4-litre, four-cylinder, 60bhp
The third-generation Polo is showcased by a special edition ‘Open Air’ model, which featured an electrically operated folding canvas sunroof. Large enough for even the rear passengers to feel the sun, this car is also loaned by the Foundation AutoMuseum Volkswagen.

Polo IV GTI Cabriolet, 2007, 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, 150bhp
The fourth-generation Polo arrived in 2001, but this car is from the refreshed series which debuted in 2005. At the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, this car was on the Karmann stand, as the coachbuilder built the concept car to demonstrate its cabriolet expertise. The sloping line of the closed roof gives the Polo GTI a coupé-like silhouette – with an intricate manoeuvre, the open roof disappears completely under the rear shelf. The glass rear window is raised electrically for unrestricted access to the boot.

Polo V R WRC, 2013, 1.6-litre, four cylinder, 300bhp
The latest fifth-generation Polo is represented in World Rally Championship trim. While a concept was shown in 2011, Volkswagen claimed victory in the very first special stage at the Rally Monte Carlo in the Polo R WRC’s debut season in 2013 with Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia. At the end of the season, both the constructor’s and the driver’s and co-driver’s titles had been secured. The Polo R WRC on display in Essen features both the design and technology of the first championship-winning model.

We hope to bring you photos and a report from this amazing Polo get-together. As well as the Essen exhibits, Volkswagen Classic will also feature further Polo celebrations with a comprehensive online special at volkswagen-classic.com with stories, interviews and reports to mark the car’s 40th anniversary.

It may have been absent in February, but the Volkswagen Polo re-entered the top 10 UK best-selling cars chart last month according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Sitting at number six in March’s best-seller list, the Polo sold 10,038 units, contributing to its total of 14,821 for the year so far. The new UK ‘15’ registration plate change may have boosted the Polo’s success, along with the introduction of new models, including the performance-orientated GTI.

The Ford Fiesta was still overall market leader with 27,034 examples finding homes, while the revitalised Vauxhall Corsa also had a strong showing, one place behind the small Ford with 19,391 cars sold. The SMMT reports that March 2015 was the best month this century for new UK car registrations with 492,774 vehicles registered in March, up 6.0 per cent on the same month last year.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: ‘The best month this century for new car registrations is a welcome boost for the UK’s thriving automotive sector. The challenge for a new government will be to maintain this momentum and to strengthen Britain’s manufacturing capabilities through continued investment, innovation and policies which maintain our global competitiveness.’

The UK’s top 10 best-selling passenger cars during March 2015 and the year so far (sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 27,034 (39,804, 1st)

2 Vauxhall Corsa: 19,391 (29,100, 2nd)

3 Ford Focus: 15,442 (22,287, 3rd)

4 Nissan Qashqai: 12,210 (18,686, 5th)

5 Volkswagen Golf: 11,871 (19,435, 4th)

6 Volkswagen Polo: 10,038 (14,821, 7th)
7 Vauxhall Astra: 9,617 (15,009, 6th)
8 Audi A3: 9,101 (14,358, 8th)
9 Mercedes-Benz C Class: 8,755 (13,975, 9th)

10 Fiat 500: 8,662 (13,243, 10th)

The Volkswagen Polo may have slipped out of the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars chart for February 2015, but in Europe it’s still doing big business. A total of 21,495 Polos were sold across Europe last month (45,102 for the year-to-date), a 7.2 per cent increase on the same period in 2014. It was the second most popular car across the continent during February.

What was number one? The Golf, of course. In a repeat of January, the ever-dependable Volkswagen family hatchback ruled the roost, selling 36,292 examples. A 5.8 per cent boost over the same period in 2014, the popular Renault Clio rounded off the top three, only 91 units behind the Polo.

The new Volkswagen Passat helped increase that particular nameplate’s sales by 63.8 per cent year-on-year compared to last February. A year-to-date increase of 44 per cent made it the most improved performer across both measures among the top 10 best-selling models, where it placed eighth.

Once again, the picture was an upbeat one. European new car sales for February were up a total of 7.8 per cent over the same period last year, JATO Dynamics’ latest figures state. Volkswagen, Ford and Renault were again the best-selling brands, while the five biggest markets in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) all recorded growth, as was the case in January.

The top 10 best-selling cars in Europe (sales figure in thousands) in February 2015 were as follows:

1 Volkswagen Golf: 36,292

2 Volkswagen Polo: 21,495

3 Renault Clio: 21,406

4 Ford Fiesta: 17,053
5 Peugeot 208: 16,047

6 Vauxhall/Opel Corsa: 16,719
7 Skoda Octavia: 16,407
8 Volkswagen Passat: 15,711

9 Nissan Qashqai: 15,682
10 Audi A3/S3/RS3: 14,036

At a press conference yesterday, Volkswagen Sweden announced it will back not one but a pair of teams to take on the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship in monstrous, 600bh, four-wheel drive Polo RX Supercars. Last year’s second-placed crew from Marklund Motorsport were named as one team, while the second was unveiled as Kristofferson Motorsport (KMS).

Each officially-supported team will enjoy a rosta of three drivers. Finn Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikinnen will return for Marklund, and be joined by Sweden’s PG Andersson to contest the world series (WorldRX). Tommy Rustad joins the Swedish outfit to compete in the EuroRX (European) arm of the championship.

For KMS, Swede Johan Kristofferson and Norwegian Tord Linnerud will drive the WorldRX-baiting Polos, while Ole Christian Veiby will battle the EuroRX series. Veiby and Rustad join the FIA European Rallycross Championship just as it grows still further after last year’s series.

‘Rallycross is the hottest motorsport just now, and both we and our dealers think it feels incredibly exciting to be able to support a bid where two of Sweden’s best teams are aiming at becoming world champion,’ explained Sten Forsberg, Manager of Volkswagen Sweden.

Jost Capito, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport – who can usually be seen in the Polo R WRC service garages – added: ‘The World Rallycross Championship enjoys increasing popularity: the races are compact, spectacular and varied.

‘With Marklund Motorsport and Kristoffersson Motorsport, Volkswagen is represented by two extremely professional privateer teams who develop and race their Polo RX Supercars independently. The line-up and the calendar promise an exciting World RX season and we are confident that Volkswagen drivers will be battling for races and the championship.’

The first round of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship takes place at Montalegre in Portugal over the weekend of 24-26 April. The UK round of the series is on 22-24 May at the legendary Lydden Hill circuit where Top Gear’s James May took on other WorldRX drivers for a recent episode of the BBC programme.