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EspañolVOLKSWAGEN POLO
Volkswagen Derby
The 'Volkswagen Polo' is a supermini manufactured by Volkswagen of Germany. It is sold mainly in Europe, but available in most export markets. It is most widely seen as a hatchback but there have also been saloon and so-called coupé and estate variants.
History
There have been four separate series of the Polo, designated Mark I to Mark IV. Each generation was facelifted mid way through its production, with the updated versions known by an addition of the letter F to the model number, ''e.g.'' Mark IIF.
The body style has been varied through the life of the car, but the most widely available form has always been a hatchback; indeed the Mark I saloon was branded as a 'Volkswagen Derby'.
Volkswagen's products are not the same in all territories and a number of different models have been sold under the Polo name. For example the 'Volkswagen Polo Playa' hatchback sold in Southern Africa in the late 1990s was a rebadged SEAT Ibiza which was quite different to the Mk III Polo sold in Europe at the same time. The current saloon is only available in China, Latin America and South Africa and other Southern Africa countries.
Position in the Volkswagen range
On its introduction in 1975, the Polo was Volkswagen's second front wheel drive hatchback model, fitting into the range beneath the Golf, which had been launched the previous year. It remained the smallest model in the Vokswagen range until 1998, when the Volkswagen Lupo was introduced. The Polo is still Volkswagen's second smallest model, larger than the Fox and smaller than the Golf. (In North America, the Golf – now sold there as the ''Rabbit'' – is the smallest Volkswagen available, the Polo never having been sold in this territory.)
Over the generations, as with many other long-lived car brands, the Polo's size has increased, and the latest incarnation of the Polo is actually larger than the original Golf Mark I.
The current version is mechanically very similar to the SEAT Ibiza and Škoda Fabia, being based on a standard VW Group chassis used for a large number of models.
Performance versions and motorsport
Volkswagen pioneered the so-called hot hatch genre of high performance hatchbacks with the Golf GTI in 1975, and has produced a number of performance versions of the Polo. The first of these was the Polo ''GT'' version of the Mark IF.
The Mark II and IIF were available as supercharged G40 models. The GT G40 with its 1.3-litre 85 kW (115 bhp) could reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 s from standstill and had a maximum speed of 196 km/h (122 mph). It was used by Volkswagen to set a number of world endurance speed records, such as the 1.3-litre class records for speed over 24 hours and speed over a distance of 5000 km.
The fastest version of the Mark III on the UK market was the 16-valve h 100 PS model. A 120 PS (88 kW) GTI model was also produced, but only in a limited edition in Germany, and this was the first time the GTI label had been used for a Polo. A GTI version of the Mark IIIF Polo, with a 125 bhp (92 kW) 1.6-litre petrol engine was also produced.
In 2004 ''Volkswagen Individual'', a specialist division of Volkswagen, produced a limited number of (Mark IV Polo) Club Sports with a 1.8T 180 hp/132 kW engine. Available only in Germany, this was based on the one-make racing series ''Polo Cup Racer'' hatchback. The Club Sport came with a roll cage inside the vehicle and Recaro racing seats as standard.
A GTI version of the current Polo Mk IVF was launched in 2006. This features styling similar to that of the contemporary Golf GTI and a turbocharged 20-valve 150 bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine. It has a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 s and a top speed of 134 mph.
Volkswagen Individual have also engineered an even faster Polo called the ''Polo GTI Cup Edition''. Available with the same 1.8T engine, albeit with 180 bhp (130 kW), its claimed 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) is 7.5 s and it has a claimed top speed of 225 km/h.
''Volkswagen Racing'' in South Africa rallied a four-wheel drive Mark IVF Polo which shared some components with its sister World Rally Championship (WRC) Skoda Fabia; the S2000 has a 2.0 L 191 kW (260 bhp) engine.
Mark IV Polos have been entered into the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC).
There have been a number of one make race series for the Polo, starting with the Volkswagen Polo G40 Cup for MkII and MkIIF G60 versions. The current Polo Cup championship for 105 bhp cars is a support race at rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
Related models
The first Polo was effectively a rebadged version of the Audi 50, which was discontinued in 1978 as Audi concentrated on larger luxury models. The Mark I and Mark II versions of the Polo were then standalone models in the Volkswagen range.
With the expansion of the Volkswagen Group in the 1990s SEAT and Škoda were aqquired, and the platform used for the Polo was shared with other models.
The Mark III Polo shared its platform with the Mark 2 SEAT Ibiza. The Ibiza was actually launched before the Polo, and shared essentially all its mechanicals, the dashboard and other interior components, although there were no body panels shared between the two cars. The saloon and estate versions of the Mark III Polo were actually re-badged SEAT Córdoba models, and had no body panels in common with the Polo hatchback. The SEAT Inca and Volkswagen Caddy vans were also based on this model. The Volkswagen Lupo and SEAT Arosa were also based on a shortened version of the Mark III Polo platform.
The Mark IV Polo continued this trend of platform sharing, with the Škoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza Mark III both being developed on the same platform and featuring several of the same engines.
Bodystyles
Mark II Polo "Wagon" shape
The first Polos were hatchbacks, with the saloon being marketed as the Volkswagen Derby.
On the arrival of the Mark II model the saloon was renamed the 'Volkswagen Polo Classic' and the hatchback style was renamed as a coupé, the 'Volkswagen Polo Coupé'. A new estate shape became, unusually for an estate, the commonest model of the range in European markets. In some markets it was referred to as the 'Volkswagen Polo Wagon', but some reviewers at the time considered it to be shaped "like a van".
From the Mark III onwards, the range was more straightforwardly conventional, including unambiguous saloon, hatchback and estate models.
Body style summary
★ Three door hatchback (all versions) - the Mark II and Mark IIF were available in two separate 3-door hatchback styles, one of which was badged as a coupé
★ Two door saloon (Mark I, Mark IF, Mark II, Mark IIF)
★ Four door saloon (Mark III, Mark IIIF)
★ Five door hatchback (Mark III, Mark IIIF, MarkIV, Mark IVF)
★ Five door estate (Mark III, Mark IIIF)
★ Five door crossover SUV-style (2WD) hatchback (Mark IV, Mark IVF)
Mechanical layout
The Polo is a compact car, with a traditional transversely mounted engine and front wheel drive. Mark I Polos only came with four-cylinder petrol engines, but for the Mark II a diesel engine was offered for the first time, although only in certain markets, others having to wait until the launch of the Mark III. The current range includes a variety of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Early versions used four speed manual transmission, whilst the current car is available with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The suspension system on all models uses a fully independent MacPherson strut front suspension, and a Twist-beam rear suspension. Most models use disc brakes at the front and rear drum brakes, although some recent models have all round disc brakes.
Mark I (1975–79)
Main articles: Volkswagen Polo Mk I
The first Polo, a rebadged version of the Audi 50, was introduced in 1975 and was produced until October 1981 with over 500,000 Polos sold worldwide.
The differences between the Audi and Volkswagen models were minor, with the Polo being cheaper and much more basic. The two cars were initially sold alongside each other, but the Audi 50 never sold as well, and was withdrawn in 1978. The Polo was manufactured at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg.
In 1977, the Derby saloon was released, which was simply a Polo, identical to the hatchback from the C-pillar forward, with a large boot attached (an Audi proposal, but which was never sold by them).
The Mark I Polo was available with the following engines:
★ 895 cc, straight-4 petrol (hatchback only)
★ 1093 cc straight-4 petrol, 50 PS (37 kW)
★ 1272 cc, streaight-4 petrol, (Polo GT, Derby sedan models, Audi 50 only)
Different levels of compression were used on each size to achieve different power outputs, and the variations are numerous, often differing depending on the country of sale, ranging from 35 to 60 PS (26 to 44 kW).
Mark IF (1979–81)
The Mark I Polo and Derby were facelifted in 1979 (to Mark IF) with plastic bumpers, a different front grille and a revised dashboard. The round headlights of the Derby were replaced with square ones, bringing it into line with the similar (but larger) Golf-based Jetta saloon.
Mark II (1981–90)
Main articles: Volkswagen Polo Mk II
A revised model (Mark II) was introduced in October 1981, with the major change being the introduction of a third body style with a steep (almost vertical) rear window, in addition to a version resembling the original Mark I shape with a diagonal rear window. These two body styles were called the ''Wagon'' (in some markets) and ''Coupé'' respectively, although in fact both were three-door hatchbacks, and in some markets the Wagon designation was not used, with that car being simply the "Volkswagen Polo" without a suffix. The sedan version was now called the 'Polo Classic', and the Derby name became extinct. Production was expanded to Spain in the mid-1980s following Volkswagen's takeover of SEAT.
Although it was still marketed as a supermini to compete with the likes of the Austin Metro, Ford Fiesta and Renault 5, the Polo was larger than most – if not all – of its competitors, and was almost as large as small family cars like the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra/Opel Kadett. Its price, comfort and specification were also more comparable with these larger cars.
The Mark II Polo was used extensively by Volkswagen to develop future innovations, for example supercharging in the GT G40 version. A G-supercharger would later be used on the larger and more technically challenging G60 engine used in the Golf and Corrado.
A fuel efficient two-cylinder diesel was prototyped in the mid 1980s with a G40 supercharger to overcome its small capacity, although this did not make it to production. A high fuel efficiency model which did make production was the ''Formel E'' (E for Economy), introduced in 1983. This used a high compression 1272 cc engine, taller gear ratios and an early stop-start ignition system (called "SSA") which would cut the engine when idle for more than two seconds to save fuel whilst temporarily stopped in traffic, and re-start the engine on moving the gear lever to the left in neutral. Similar systems were later used on the Golf Mk III and various systems from other car manufacturers.
The Mark II was available with the following engines:
★ 1093 cc straight-4 petrol (1981–83)
★ 1272 cc straight-4 petrol (1981–)
★ 1043 cc straight-4 petrol (1983–)
★ 1272 cc straight-4 petrol with fuel injection and equipped with a catalytic converter. (1983–)
★ 1272 cc straight-4 supercharged petrol with 113 PS (83 kW) (''GT G40'' version 1987 only)
★ 1.3 L straight-4 diesel (1986–)
★ 1.4 L 4straight-4 diesel (1990–)
Mark IIF (1990–94)
A facelift in 1990 (to Mark IIF) saw square headlights, bigger bumpers and a new interior (dashboard and door trim). The three different body styles were maintained. As well as the cosmetic differences, under the skin the car received modifications to the chassis, suspension and brakes. The new Polo still had the 4-cylinder engine but now as well as the carburettor 1.0 L, a fuel injection model was available with single-point injection and all engines came standard with a catalytic converter to combat tightening European laws on car emissions. The saloon was only produced in Spain, and production of it ceased in 1992.
A clever feature on this version of the Polo was a stereo/cassette player unit which could be completely removed. This feature caught on well with buyers, who were able to remove it from the car as a security measure.
At the time of launch of the Mark IIF Polo, the highest performance model was the Polo GT. This featured a multi-point fuel injected version of the 1272 cc engine. This produced 75 bhp and had a quoted top speed of 107 mph. 0-60 figures from stand still stood at 11.1 seconds. Defining features of the GT include red piping in the bumpers, black overhead cloth, a rev counter and a red "GT" badge in the grille. This was succeeded by the launch of the G40 in May 1991, displacing the GT as the most powerful Polo at the time. The GT squareback was discontinued in 1992 due to poor sales in comparison with the coupé version.
Soon after the launch of the Mark IIF, another sporting model was added to the range — a new version of the supercharged G40, now as a full production model in all markets rather than the limited batch of Mark II G40s. As with the previous model, Volkswagen Motorsport modified G40 Cup cars were sold for racing in a one-make series, the ''Volkswagen Polo G40 Cup''. Features that define the G40 from other Polo models at the time (on top of the GT) include a bee-sting aerial, BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels, Le Mans interior trim and front and rear red "G40" badges.
Mark III (1994–2000)
Main articles: Volkswagen Polo Mk III
The 'Mark III' Polo "6N" appeared in 1994, and was a completely new model (on a new chassis), available as 3- and 5-door hatchback versions. It shared its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mark II. This platform actually used the floorpan of the Volkswagen Golf Mark III (a multitude of mechanical parts and all of the suspension components were interchangeable among the three models). Although the dashboard and a number of mechanical components, including engines, were shared with the Ibiza, outwardly the two cars were different, with no shared body panels.
The saloon and estate versions of the Mark III were essentially rebadged SEAT Córdobas, which were launched a year earlier. They were referred to internally by Volkswagen as "6KV", and shared body panels with the SEAT model rather than the Polo hatchback models, with some cosmetic alterations such as new rear and front bumpers and headlights. The Volkswagen Caddy 9K van also shares the same platform and front-end styling as the 6KV models.
The Volkswagen Lupo and SEAT Arosa city cars were based on a shortened version of the 6N platform, and shared many components.
The car was available with the following engines:
★ 1043 cc straight-4 petrol 45 PS (33 kW) (1995–97)
★ 1272 cc straight-4 petrol 55 PS (40 kW) (1995–96)
★ 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 75 PS
★ 1.4 L straight-4 petrol (1996–)
★ 999 cc straight-4 petrol 50 PS (37 kW) — all-new aluminium block multi-point injection (1997–)
★ 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 100 PS (74 kW) (6K saloon and estate models only)
★ 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 75 PS (55 kW) (6K saloon and estate models only)
★ 1.9 L straight-4 diesel 64 PS (47 kW)
Mark IIIF (2000–02)
The Mark IIIF was released in 2000, with the hatchback models featuring updated styling including new headlights and bumpers and an all new interior based on that of the Lupo. Although the car was similar in appearance to the Mark III, Volkswagen claimed that 70% of the components were new. The bodyshell was fully galvanised and stiffened but not fully redesigned, although some panels were changed. Power steering, anti-lock brakes and twin airbags were made standard. The saloon and estate versions received the new interior, but not the full exterior facelift. Also, the 3-cylinder 1.4 TDI engine was introduced for the 3 and 5-door hatchbacks. The Mark III Polo Classic is still sold in Latin America.
'Awards'
★ 1999 Used Car Buyer "Greatest Used Car Buy Awards" – ''Best Economy Car''
★ 1998 Top Gear Magazine "Top Cars" – ''Best Supermini''
★ 1997 Auto Express "New Car Honours" – ''Best Supermini''
★ 1997 "Complete Car of the Year Awards" – ''Best Supermini''
★ 1995 Which? Magazine "Best Buys" – ''Best Supermini''
Polo Playa (1996–2002)
Main articles: Volkswagen Polo Playa
The 'Volkswagen Polo Playa' was a model for the South African market. It was sold instead of the European Polo Mark III from 1996 until 2002, and was effectively a rebadged SEAT Ibiza Mark II. In 2002, the Mark IV Polo was adopted in South Africa, and the separate Polo Playa model was dropped.
Mark IV (2001–05)
Main articles: Volkswagen Polo Mk IV
Unveiled in September 2001, the all-new Mark IV ("9N") model was put on sale in early 2002. It shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mark 3 and Škoda Fabia. The car is all new from the Mark III, and bears more structural resemblance to the "6KV" than the "6N"; outwardly the most recognisable change is the use of quad round headlights similar to the Lupo's.
The car was available with the following engines:
★ 1.2 L straight-3 9-valve petrol, 55 PS (40 kW)
★ 1.2 L straight-3 12-valve petrol, 64 PS (47 kW)
★ 1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 75 PS (55 kW)
★ 1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol Fuel Stratified Injection, 86 PS (62 kW) (''FSI''-badged model)
★ 1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 100 PS (74 kW) (''16V''-badged model).
★ 1.9 L straight-4 TDI, 100 PS (74 kW)
★ 1.4 L straight-3 TDI, 75 PS (55 kW).
★ 1.9 L straight-4 TDI, 130 PS (96 kW).
★ 1.6 L straight-4, 8 valve petrol, 101 PS, cast iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian market)
Dimensions:
★ Length: 3897
★ Width: 1650
★ Height: 1465
★ Wheelbase: 2460
There was also a mini XUV version of the Polo (like the Rover Streetwise) with "off-road" styling named 'Polo Fun' ('Polo Dune' in the United Kingdom), but despite its appearance the car was never available with four wheel drive. A saloon version, called Polo Classic, was produced in Brazil, South Africa and China and exported to the rest of Latin America and to Australia.
The Chinese built Polo Classic for the Australian Market has the distinction of being the first Chinese built car to be exported to a right hand drive Developed country.
Volkswagen Racing rallyed a Polo S1600 in the 2003 Junior World Rally Championships, winning the Turkish round. The Super 1600 developed 165 kW/215 hp to its front wheels.
Mark IVF (2005–present)
In 2005, the Mark IVF ("9N3") was face-lifted with new Volkswagen Passat-style headlights and tail lights, and a different hatch. The Mark IVF was designed by Walter de'Silva. In the UK, the Mark IVF is available in 6 different trim levels, ranging from the basic "E" model to the "GTI". The engine range is as for the Mark IV, with the addition of the following engine:
★ 1781 cc, turbocharged straight-4, 20V petrol, 150 PS (''GTI'' models only)
★ 1984 cc, straight-4, 8 valve petrol, 116 PS (85 kW) (in South Africa market)
★ 1.6 L straight-4, 8 valve flexfuel, 101 PS (petrol) / 103PS (ethanol), cast iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian market)
Dimension:
★ Length: 3926
★ Width: 1650
★ Height: 1465
★ Wheelbase: 2460
A mini SUV-styled (but still two wheel drive) 'CrossPolo' version of the Mark IVF was also produced as a successor to the Mark IV-based Polo Fun.
Trivia
★ The Polo name has been a source of speculation. Some people believed it was a reference to polar winds, in keeping with Volkswagen's penchant for naming its watercooled cars after winds and currents, but many fans insist that it is in fact a pun on the Golf's name, because "golf" and "polo" are both words (in both English and German) for upper-class sports. The fact that the Polo's original saloon derivative was named the Derby gives more credence to the latter theory, since derby, like polo, refers to an equestrian sport.
★ Some Polo models from the 1970s and 1980s used the emblem of the city of Wolfsburg on the steering wheel hub rather than the normal Volkswagen logo seen today. This was typical of older Volkswagens, such as the Beetle.
★ In 2004, a viral video advertisement was widely circulated on the internet. In it, a suicide bomber drives a Polo to his target; the bomb is detonated but the car remains completely intact, to the extent that the event goes unnoticed by bystanders. The ad finally displays the Polo's established tagline, ''Small but tough''. The ad was created by the secretive, London based, freelance advertising partnership, ''Lee and Dan'', who claimed it was not intended to be viewed by the public. Despite legal action against the partnership by Volkswagen in 2005[1], there are rumours the ad was secretly commissioned by the company as a form of Viral marketing.
Polo in international markets
United Kingdom
Mark I
British sales of the original 'Volkswagen Polo' began in the autumn of 1976. General Motors had just launched the Vauxhall Chevette, while Ford was in the process of launching its Fiesta and Chrysler was about to launch the Sunbeam. Foreign imports like the Renault 5 and Fiat 127 were also arriving.
The Mark I Polo was on sale for five years in Britain, with just 900 cc and 1100 cc engines available (the 1300 cc was never sold). Sales were fairly strong and it firmly established itself as one of the first popular foreign small cars in Britain.
Mark II
The 'Volkswagen Polo Mark II' arrived in British dealerships towards the end of 1981. It had a slightly higher asking price than similarly-sized rivals, putting it up against larger cars like the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra, even though it was marketed as an alternative to the Ford Fiesta and Austin Metro.
Mark III
The 'Volkswagen Polo Mark III' went on sale in the autumn of 1994. Equipment levels and the choice of engines were wider than before, and at last there was a five-door version available. It proved popular from start to finish, though never being able to match the sales figures of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. It held its value better than most of its competitors.
The three- and five-door hatchbacks were by far the most popular versions of the Polo with British buyers, as the four-door saloon and five-door estate models found themselves in a market with low demand.
Mark IV
The most recent incarnation of the Volkswagen Polo has only been available as a hatchback to British buyers, though this time it has been less popular than some of the earlier Polos, despite a wide range of engines and a decent level of equipment being on offer. It has even struggled to outsell the two less famous cars with which it shares some of its platform — the Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia.
Fuel Economy
| Model | Fuel economy (L/100 km / Miles per gallon) |
|---|---|
| 1.4 diesel | ★ 4.7 / 60.1 (motorway) ★ 8.5 / 33.2 (urban) |
| 1.4 petrol | ★ 6.5 / 43.5 (motorway) ★ 11 / 25.6 (urban) |
External links
★ Volkswagen UK's Polo Site
★ Volkswagen Australia's Polo Site
★ Club G40 UK Website (source for G40 Polo variation)
★ Australian Polo Forum
★ The UK-Polos Forum
★ Club Polo UK Website & Forum
References
1. Stephen Brook, VW to sue Polo bomb ad duo
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