By Otsile Kadiege

The popular 6th generation Volkswagen Polo, which sold almost 80,000 units since its launch in South Africa in 2018, has been updated with new looks and a host of new technologies. 

Exterior

The facelifted Polo now sports a new exterior design. The bumper and tailgate have been given a new look, as have the headlights and tail light clusters which come standard with LED technology. The Polo has a distinctive daytime and night time light signature which includes a new LED light strip along the radiator grille in conjunction with the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights which is a design cue taken from the ID models as well as the Golf – these were the first Volkswagens to have an LED crossbar in the front.

The new Polo is available in 8 exterior colours, namely Ascot Grey, Smoky Grey Metallic, Kings Red Metallic, Vibrant Violet Metallic, Pure White, Reflex Silver Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

Interior

The interior of the Polo now boasts a Digital Cockpit, a re-designed multi-function steering wheel, new-generation infotainment systems and wireless App-Connect (optional feature). The dashboard of the Polo is characterised by a horizontal design. All modules except the air conditioning are integrated into the dashboard’s upper crossbar with the infotainment system screen located in the centre. The Digital Cockpit and infotainment system create a coherent digital cockpit landscape. In the R-Line and Polo GTI derivatives, the two-zone climatronic air conditioner now has touch panels and sliders which replace the knobs and buttons in the previous generation.

The Polo range is available with a choice of 3 infotainment systems; Composition Colour with a 6.5-inch display, Composition Media with an 8.0-inch display and an 8.0-inch Discover Media system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, wireless mobile charging and a multi-colour Digital Cockpit Pro.

New naming convention for the Polo specification lines

The new naming convention features the Polo version (base model), Polo Life (mid-level) and R-Line (premium). The new Polo will also be available in a GTI derivative. Here are a few standard equipment on these grades: the entry-level Polo includes LED headlights, LED tail light clusters and 14-inch steel wheels. 

The mid-level Polo Life gets 15-inch Essex alloy wheels and high-quality ‘Slash’ fabric with matching interior Lava Stone Black décor while the premium R-Line boasts a striking R design exterior, 16-inch Valencia alloy wheels and Composition Media system with wireless mobile charging.

The high-performance Polo GTI gets GTI specific exterior styling, 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels, IQ. Light LED matrix headlights and the Composition Media system with wireless mobile charging. 

Powertrains

The new Polo will be available locally in 3 turbo-charged petrol engines. The 1.0 TSI engine will be available in the Polo and Polo Life specifications. The 3-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, delivers 70kW of power and torque of 175Nm. It takes 10.8 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h sprint.

The 1.0 TSI DSG engine is only available in the Polo Life and Polo R-Line specifications. The 3-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission, delivers 85kW and 200Nm. It takes 11.3 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h sprint.

The front wheel drive Polo GTI is powered by a 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine making 147kW and 320Nm at 1 500 to 4 500 rpm. It completes the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds.

Driver assistance systems

The Polo is the first vehicle in its class to be offered with the optional IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist which is a feature that brings together the functions of the new predictive ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Lane Assist to create a new system that enables semi-automated driving. Optional driver assistance systems in the new Polo include Front Assist and Pedestrian Monitoring.

Pricing and availability

Pricing for the new Polo range in South Africa will be confirmed closer to the launch date. The new Polo will retail from Volkswagen dealers in January 2022.