Present: Polo - The Story

[deemoE36]

The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. 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, unofficially designated Mark I to Mark IV by the popular Press. Each generation was facelifted mid way through its production, with the updated versions known again unofficially 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. The Mark I saloon was branded as a Volkswagen Derby when it was produced with a boot section welded on to the standard Polo body shell - effectively putting into production the original Audi 60 small saloon car concept.

Volkswagen 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 from 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 Volkswagen 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 platform 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 4.9-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 1.9-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 (99 hp/74 kW) 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 VAG, 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 (216 km/h).

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 (140 mph).

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 (78 kW) 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, a two-box version of an original Audi 60 saloon car design never placed into production, 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. Unusually, the Polo that was marketed as a hatchback was closer in concept to an estate. This version was the most popular in virtually every country where the Polo was sold.

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.

[deemoE36]

Mk I (1975-1979)

The Mk I Polo (known internally as the Typ 86), a rebadged version of the Audi 50, was introduced in 1975. The differences between the Audi and VW models were minor, with the Polo being cheaper and much more basic. The two cars were initially sold along side 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 sedan was released, which was simply a Polo, identical to the hatchback from the C-pillar forward, with a large boot attached (an old Audi proposal, but never sold by this brand).

When first on sale the range topping car, the LS model, featured the 50 PS (37 kW) 1043 cc engine found in the Audi 50. Other specifications included parking lights, rear wash wipe, sun visors, chromed bumpers and 4.5J X 13" wheels. The N model was the basic starting spec lacking many of the features of the LS. In 1979 the GLS was introduced, replacing the LS as the range-topping car; specification upgrades included chrome headlight and grill surrounds, sunroof, a cigarette lighter and chrome wheel trims.

895 cc, 1093 cc and 1272 cc engines were used, with the smaller one used only in the Polo hatchback, and the 1272 cc only in the Derby, Audi 50, and the rare Polo GT. 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).

Mk IF (1979-1981)

The Mk I Polo and Derby were facelifted in 1979 (Mk 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 inline with the similar Golf-based Jetta sedan.

Further models were added including CLS, S and an out run LX model. The Mk I's production run finally ended in October 1981 with over 500,000 Polos sold worldwide.

produced from 1981 until 1994.

A revised model (Mk II, or more officially, Typ 86C) was introduced in October 1981, with the major change being the introduction of an additional body style with a steep (almost vertical) rear window, as well a version with a diagonal rear window and a similar profile to the previous model. These two body styles were called the Wagon and Coupé respectively, although in fact both were three-door hatchbacks. The sedan version was no longer called the Derby in all countries, and was changed to the Polo Classic. Production was expanded to Spain in the mid 1980s following Volkswagen's takeover of SEAT.

1093 cc or 1272 cc engines were available at launch. In 1986, the Polo received numerous technical improvements; amongst many other minor updates, the engines were changed to lower maintenance hydraulic tappets, new camshafts and valve gear and an automatic choke; the 1043 cc engine replaced the 1093 cc, and in some markets the 1.3 litre engine was available with fuel injection and equipped with a catalytic converter. In 1984 an all-new 1.3 litre engine was introduced, which was used in various generations of Polo until 1996.

Available with the 1093 cc engine the "coupé" featured additions such as sporting seats trim, wheel arch extensions, rear spoiler, low profile tyres and a rev counter. The GL featured a 60 PS (44nbsp;kW) engine. In 1985, the first sporty Polo, the Coupé GT, was introduced with a 75 PS (55 kW) engine, as well as servo assisted brakes, twin headlights, a digital clock, sports seats and a rev counter. Other special feature models were introduced over the rest of the period of the Mk II production run including models such as the Twist, Parade and Country.

The Mk II Polo was used extensively by Volkswagen to develop future innovations, for example supercharging. The supercharger-equipped GT G40 version was introduced in 1987, in LHD Coupe form only, first as a limited batch of about 500 cars, most of which were sold to VW workers (as a homologated version of the car for the G40 Cup race series) and later as a normal production version. This model featured the 1272 cc engine with a small bore G-Lader supercharger, giving 113 PS (83 kW) at 6000 rpm, as well as modified suspension and the bodywork of the "normal" GT Coupé. The car could reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 secs from and had maximum speed of 196 km/h (122 mph) it was used by VW to set a number of world endurance speed records — such as the 1300 cc class records for speed over 24 hours and speed over a distance of 5000 km. A G-supercharger would later be used on the larger and more technically challenging G60 engine used in the Golf and Corrado.

An extremely fuel efficient 2-cylinder diesel was prototyped in the mid 1980s with a G40 supercharger to overcome its small capacity, although this did not make production. A high fuel efficiency model which did make production was Formel E (E for Economy), introduced in 1983. This used a high compression 1272 cc engine, longer gear ratios and an early stop-start ignition system (called SSA) that 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. The system could be disabled by means of a toggle switch below the light switch to enable the system. Similar system were later used on the Mk III Golf and various systems from other car manufacturers.

Engines

The Mk II was available with the following engines:

* 1.1 1093 cc 4 cylinder petrol engine (1981-1983)
* 1.3 1272 cc 4 cylinder petrol engine. (1981-)
* 1.0 1043 cc 4 cylinder petrol engine (1983-)
* 1.3 1272 cc 4 cylinder petrol engine with fuel injection and equipped with a catalytic converter. (1983-)
* 1.3 1272 cc 4 cylinder supercharged petrol engine with 113 PS (83 kW) (GT G40 version 1987 only)
* 1.3 L 4 cylinder diesel engine (1986-)
* 1.4 L 4 cylinder diesel engine (1990-)


Trim levels

The VW Polo was available in four trim levels;

* Fox (1.0, 1.3 petrol, 1.3 diesel)
* C (1.0, 1.1 petrol, 1.3 diesel)
* CL (1.0, 1.1, 1.3 petrol, 1.3 diesel)
* GL (1.1, 1.3 petrol, 1.3 diesel)
* GT (1.3 petrol)

From 1987, a basic "Fox" trim level was available with a 1.0-litre engine; this was spartanly equipped as a bargain basement model. It was also sold as a diesel version in Europe; this had a 1.3-litre engine. However, it was never sold in the UK with the 1.3 petrol, or the diesel engines.

Versions sold on the Continent were similar to their UK counterparts; this was the same for all Polo MkII versions up to the 1994 redesign.

Mk IIF (1990-1994)
1994 Mk IIF Polo hatchback

A facelift in 1990 (Mk IIF) saw square headlights, bigger bumpers and a new interior (dash and door trim). The three different styles (hatchback, wagon and sedan) were maintained. As well as the cosmetic differences, under the skin the car received modifications to the chassis and suspension as well as the addition of servo-assisted brakes to all models including right hand drive versions. The new Polo still had the 4-cylinder engine but now as well as the carburetor 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 EU laws on automobile emissions.

The Derby was only produced in Spain, and ceased production in 1992. At this point, the Polo was now terminally dated. The follow-up model, the 6N version, was already well developed, but due to the high sales numbers, production of the other Polo models (hatchback and Coupé) was continued to 1994 in Wolfsburg and Spain. Volkswagen used the extra two years to restudy the 6N and change the format slightly before introduction in 1994.

Soon after the launch of the 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 Mk2 G40s. The engine used a slightly different version of the digifant injection system to allow the use of a catalytic converter, and produced 113 PS (83 kW), which gave 0-100 km/h figures of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 km/h (122 mph). The car was lowered by 25 mm (1 in) over the standard Polo and featuring special edition Le Mans sports seats, similar exterior styling to the GT with the addition of a bee sting aerial and 5.5J X 13" BBS RA cross spoke alloy wheels. As with the previous model, VW Motorsport modified G40 Cup cars were sold for racing in a one-make series, the Volkswagen Polo G40 Cup. The reliability of these vehicles was hampered by early production mistakes and high maintenance costs — parts of the G-charger can wear out quickly if unmaintained — which damaged the reputation of the supercharging concept. Volkswagen ended its experimentation with supercharged hot hatches at the end of the Polo IIF production run, due to high manufacturing costs and less than enthusiastic sales. The price was little less than that of the basic Golf GTI.

In 1992 VW released a limited number of special edition Polos, with special trim and a G40 engine and suspension. The "Genesis" G40 was made to special order only. A single right hand drive example found its way to the UK. This one-off model was a competition prize when the VW-sponsored Genesis tour reached its UK leg.

[deemoE36]

Trim levels

Trim levels were Fox, CL, GL and Genesis. The Fox was the entry-level model, only available with a 1.0-litre engine, but in Europe it had a 1.3-litre version.

Popularity in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the MKII Polo was competing with established British favourites such as the Austin/Rover Metro, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Nova. It was unable to match the sales success of any of these cars, but was among the most popular imports alongside the likes of the Peugeot 205 and Fiat Uno. This was in spite of it being more expensive than most of its competitors, with prices being almost as high as that of larger cars like the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra. Many buyers felt that the Polo was worth the slightly higher cost thanks to its class-leading build quality, reliability and space.

As of 2007, 13 years after the end of MKII Polo production, many examples are still on British roads and tend to retail at higher prices than similarly-aged cars such as the Ford Fiesta.

[deemoE36]

The Volkswagen Polo Mk III is the third generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini, produced from 1994 until 2000. It was produced in two forms, the initial car (1994-2000) being known as the Mk III, and the updated version (2000-2002) known as Mk IIIF.


Overview

The third generation Polo (known internally as the Typ 6N) was launched in 1994, and was a completely new model/chassis from the old Polo, although early versions used the engines from the Mk II. The Mk III was the first Polo to be made available as a five-door as well as three-door hatchback.

The platform used for this model used a modified version of the floorpan of the Volkswagen Golf Mk II, as did the SEAT Ibiza Mk II. A multitude of mechanical parts and all of the suspension components were intechangeable among the three models. Although the dashboard and a number of mechanical components, including engines, were shared with the Ibiza, outwardly the Polo models were entirely different with no body panels shared with the SEAT model.

Initially, only three- and five-door hatchback versions were available. In 1995, four-door saloon ("Polo Classic/Sedan / Derby") and five-door estate ("Polo Wagon/Variant") versions were added to the range — these were badge engineered versions of the SEAT Córdoba (the saloon and estate versions of the Ibiza). They were referred to internally by VW as 6KV, and shared body panels with the SEAT model rather than the hatchback models.

A convertible version was not produced, although a version with an electrically sliding full length sunroof, called the Polo Open Air, was available.

Engines

Initially the car was available with the 1043 cc (45 PS/33 kW) and 1272 cc (55 PS/40 kW) engines from the previous generation Polo and a new 1598 cc unit. A new 1.4 L engine replaced the 1.3 L in 1996. In 1997 the 1043 cc engine was replaced by an all-new aluminium block multi-point injection 999 cc developing 50 PS (37 kW). The Classic and Variant models featured a 75 PS (55 kW) or 100 PS (74 kW) 1.6 L and a 64 PS (47 kW) 1.9 L diesel. For the first time, a turbodiesel engines (a 1.9 L engine) was available in a Polo, although only in the 6K models. Due to its smaller engine bay, the standard 3 and 5-door 6N did not get a turbodiesel engine until the facelift in 2000.

Trim levels

The Polo Mk 3 was much better equipped than its predecessor. A range of models featured items such as colour coded bumpers, heated/electrically adjustable mirrors, four speaker stereo, pollen filters, central locking, rear head restraints, split rear seats, fog lights, alloy wheels, air bags and so on. The car was available originally in four trim levels ranging from the L at the bottom level of the scale through the CL and GL to the range topping GLX model.

In 1994, the Polo SE or Special Equipment was launched. Based on the 1.4 L it featured a number of features from higher spec models such as the GLX bumpers, Sport Rader alloy wheels, tinted rear light clusters and clear indicators. The Mk III came to the end of its production run in 1999 with another Polo Match.

Unlike the Volkswagen Polo Mk I and Volkswagen Polo Mk II, trim levels were not the same across Europe; the United Kingdom's were L, CL, GL, GLX, 16v (later E, S, SE and GTi); models sold in Europe had trim levels which were individual to the country they were marketed in.

Sporting variants

Sporting variants were not introduced initially, and a supercharged G40 version of the Mk III was never made, but a GTI model introduced in 1995 catered for the hot hatch market. With a limited production run of 3000 units, the 6N GTI was available only in continental Europe. Featuring a 1.6 16V 120 PS (92 kW) version of the unit that would later be found in the Mk IIIF model, the car came with 15" BBS alloys and could sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 9.1 seconds. The 16V, introduced to replace the GLX, was one of the most popular Mk III versions with modifiers, it used a 1.4 16V unit pushed to 100 PS (74 kW) as standard. This car was not a pure sporting model, and with a 0-100 km/h time of 10.6 seconds and a 190 km/h (118 mph) top speed, it was not as fast as the sporting Ibiza model (which used a 2.0 L 16V engine). The Polo GTI was often seen as over priced for the performance it delivered.


Harlequin

In Europe, a special "Harlequin" model was released in 1995. The Polo Harlequin was an unusual edition featuring a multi-coloured body with each panel in a different colour ranging from red, yellow to pistachio green and blue. It used the same engines as regular Polos—only the colour of the panels was the difference. The car was aimed at the wacky buyer who wanted to be unique, but the car resulted in a sales flop and was discontinued in 1996. Nearly 4,000 of this limited series were produced

2000 facelift

The Polo was facelifted in 2000 (internal designation Typ 6N2), 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 Mk III (the bodyshell was fully galvanised and stiffened but not fully redesigned, although some panels were changed), Volkswagen claimed that 70% of the components were new. Power steering, antilock brakes and twin airbags were made standard. The saloon and estate versions received the new interior, but not the full exterior facelift. Also, the three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI engine was introduced for the three and five-door hatchbacks.

Specification options ranged from power steering, tinted glass, split rear seats, electric windows and cup holders to ABS, air conditioning, Xenon headlights and satellite navigation. Thirty-two models with seven engines ranging from the 1.4 diesel to the 1.6 L 16V GTI made the choice of Polo the widest ever seen. The base model was the Comfortline with the option of no less than 5 engines ranging from the 1.0 50 PS (37 kW) to the 1.9 TDI unit found across the VW range, producing 90 PS (66 kW). The 1.0 L hatchback was considered cheap for the build quality and spec list when compared to other cars. Then came the Trendline and Highline models. With engine options ranging from 60 PS (44 kW) to a 110 PS (81 kW) Diesel they offered a range of features usually found on the more sporty models but without the insurance or running cost woes.

Polo GTI

Between 2000 and 2002 VW offered two sporting models, the 16V and GTI. The 16V came with the 1.4 16V 100 PS (74 kW) engine and had options such as 15" Spa alloys and air conditioning. However more interest was in the GTI. Available only in hatchback form, the GTI was powered by a 1.6 16V 125 PS (92 kW) engine with variable valve timing, making it the most powerful Polo to come out the factory to date. External changes gave the car the looks to match its power. Deeper front bumpers with honeycomb mesh inserts, side skirts, fog lights, a honeycomb mesh grill and 15" BBS split rims suited the car well. There were also standard extras such as "Climatronic" fully automatic air conditioning, Xenon headlights (with a headlight washer system), a 6 disc CD autochanger, exclusive sports interior with leather steering wheel and gearstick, chrome inserts and driver aids such as ABS with EBD and an EDL (a system to aid traction). Leather and satellite navigation were also optional extras. The Mk IIIF Polo GTI however missed the new six-speed gearbox that was introduced in the smaller Lupo GTI.

Awards

* 1999 Used Car Buyer Greatest Used Car Buy Awards Best Economy Car
* 1998 Top Gear Magazine Top Cars - Best Supermini
* 1997 Which? Magazine Best Buys - Best Supermini
* 1997 Auto Express New Car Honours - Best Supermini
* 1997 Complete Car of the Year Awards - Best Supermini


The Polo outside Europe

* In some Asia Pacific markets, the Polo Classic (1995-2002MY) was sold as the Derby.

* In China, FAW-Volkswagen simply rebadged the SEAT Cordoba with no exterior modifications like the European Derby has ie rear and front bumpers/headlights.

It was sold & assembled as the FAW-VW City-Golf during 1996. It is not to be confused with the Canadian spec Mark 4 City Golf of same name released in 2006 in Canada.

* In Argentina, VW still produce a 2002 facelifted Polo Classic which is sold as Derby in Mexico and a Volkswagen Caddy the SEAT Inca derived van which shares the same platform and front end styling as the South American Type 6K. The 6K Polo Classic and 9K Caddy have been produced since 2000. All facelifted Type 6K/9K models are Argentine-built models.

The Polo Classic (Type 6K) and the facelifted Caddy (Type 9K) are still sold in Latin America, and are expected to be replaced in 2007 or 2008 by a sedan and panel van versions of the Gol V.

Latin America had its own trim levels, although some of the trim level names were similar to their European counterparts. The CL and GL were available from 1996 onwards in Brazil; these were similar to their European counterparts, although slightly more expensive due to import tariffs.


Related models

* The SEAT Ibiza Mk II was based on the same platform as the Mk III Polo, as were the SEAT Inca and Volkswagen Caddy panel vans.

* The South African built Volkswagen Polo Playa was a rebadged version of the SEAT Ibiza Mk II, and was sold instead of the European Polo in South Africa until the introduction of the Mk IV.

* The Volkswagen Lupo and SEAT Arosa city cars were based on a shortened version of the 6N platform, and shared many components.

[deemoE36]

since 2001.

History


Launched in September 2001, the fourth generation Polo (internal designation Typ 9N) was made available in early 2002. In keeping with VW's aim of floor pan sharing it shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk 3 and Škoda Fabia. The car is all new, and bears more structural resemblance to the 6K than the 6N, outwardly the most recognisable change is the quad round headlights similar to the Volkswagen Lupo. At a length of 3900 mm (153.5 in), it is larger than the first generation of its larger sibling, the 3820 mm (150.4 in) Mk 1 Golf.

The car was available with several engines: a 1.2 L three-cylinder petrol engine with 55 PS (40 kW) or 64 PS (47 kW) (depending on the number of valves per cylinder, two or four) and a 16-valve 1.4 L 4-cylinder with 75 or 100 (55 or 74 kW) petrol engine, the last one on the 16V-badged model. New TDI PD turbodiesel units were introduced, a 1.9 L with 100 PS (74 kW) and a three-cylinder 1.4 L model (the 1.9 with one cylinder less) with 75 PS (55 kW). A sporty 1.9 TDI PD model, named Polo GT, was launched in 2004, with 130 PS (96 kW).

Sales in the UK were disappointing, and in 2005 it finished in the bottom 10 of the Top Gear survey - in the supermini sector, only the Fiat Punto was more disappointing to own.

Volkswagen Racing part of VW Motorsport rallied a Polo S1600 in the 2003 JWRC winning the Turkish round, the Super 1600 developed 165 kW (215 hp) to its front wheels.

Models and specifications

The model range includes the norm for current VW's from the Comfortline to the Trendline and Highline, whilst featuring an extense list of extras that had now become norm in mid-sized small cars. Items such as ABS, power steering, front and side air bags and front and rear head restraints were standard on all models and ESP, brake assistance, air conditioning, satellite navigation etc. were optional on higher spec models.

There was also a mini SUV version of the Polo with off-road styling named Polo Fun (Polo Dune in the UK), but despite its appearance the car was never available with four-wheel drive. A sedan version, called Polo Classic, is produced in Brazil, South Africa and China and exported to the rest of Latin America. The Chinese version has the distinction of being the first Chinese-built car to be produced in right hand drive.

Dimension (mm):

* Length: 3897
* Width: 1650
* Height: 1465
* Wheelbase: 2460


2005 facelift (Typ 9N3)

In 2005, the Typ 9N (Mk IVF) was facelifted with new headlights, taillights and a different hatch, which resemble other recent models in Volkswagen's lineup. The Typ 9N3 was designed by Walter de'Silva and comes in six different trims, ranging from the basic 'E' model to the 'GTI'. Like its predecessor, the standard models uses the same engine range from the 1.2 L 55 PS (40 kW) 3-cylinder engine to the 100 PS (99 hp/74 kW) TDI engine.

Volkswagen also announced the successor of the Polo Fun mini MPV, now called "CrossPolo", still missing four-wheel drive.

Dimension (mm):

* Length: 3926
* Width: 1650
* Height: 1465
* Wheelbase: 2460
Polo GTI
Main article: Volkswagen Polo GTI

With the introduction of the Polo Mk IV, the Polo GTI Mk III was discontinued and was given no direct replacement. It was not until late 2005 that the Polo GTI was reintroduced. It was unveiled on October 21, 2005 at the Australian International Motor Show. It featured a 20-valve turbocharged 1.8-litre 150 PS (110 kW) petrol engine which had been used in models such as the Golf GTI Mk IV and the Škoda Octavia.

Its styling bears some resemblance to the Mk V Golf GTI, with a blacked out central "scoop" in the bumper surrounding the honeycomb grille. This new model the xenon headlights and fully digital climate control as optionals, unlike the Polo GTI Mk III which feaured them as standard. Although faster than the previous model, the Polo GTI Mk IV is less powerful than the top versions of the Renault Clio, BMW MINI and SEAT Ibiza, most of which come with engines with a maximum output above 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW). This led Volkswagen to quickly beef up the Polo further to create the Polo GTI Cup Edition, which was tuned to around 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW) and featured more aggressive styling.

In 2006, VW released the Polo BlueMotion which has a fuel consumption of 3.9 L per 100 km and the Polo GTI Cup Edition with 132 kW (180 hp), which sprinted to 0-100 km (0-62 mph) in 7.5 seconds.

VW Racing in South Africa rallied a Super 2000 Polo, which shared some components with its sister World Rally Car Škoda Fabia. Its 2.0-litre engine delivered a maximum output of 191 kW (260 hp).

Rumors - all unsubstantiated as of yet - persist that this Polo will be the one that finally arrives in North America as a true entry-level car for that market, below the new Rabbit. Volkswagen fans in the United States and Canada have been clamoring for the Polo to be added to the North American VW lineup for years.

[WEDEL.1]

Great post!!

[pologti18t]

nice post... but you could have just linked to the original copy