Topping A Winning Formula

- Amanda Visser

When you’ve got a winning formula, it’s hard to better it. But Volkswagen might have done just that with its latest generation VW Polo. The locally built predecessor was a gem of a car. The new, sixth-generation VW Polo, also built locally, is even better.

Longer, lower, wider, more sporty-looking and offering advanced features like Blind Spot Monitor, Park Assist with Manoeuvre Braking, a Multi-Collision Braking System and LED headlights that are normally reserved for premium vehicle classes, the attractively priced Polo’s success looks set to continue.

In South Africa the compact hatchback is a top seller in the passenger car segment, second only to sibling Polo Vivo. Aside from all it offers, it’s a nod to the superb build quality – inside and out.

Along with the three standard Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trim lines, also offered are the special edition Polo beats (includes a 300-watt sound system), and R-Line package which features C-shaped front air curtains, side sills, boot spoiler, rear diffuser and 17-inch Bonneville alloy wheels).

The Trendline and Comfortline models come with an agile and efficient 70kW 1.0-litre turbo engine, while the Highline’s 85kw 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder mill offers added power and an additional 25Nm of torque.

The performance-focused halo model, the Polo GTI, will launch in the second quarter.

Testing one of the more affordable of the five models in the one-litre Polo line-up, finweek took to the roads in the VW Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline.

Outer appeal

The new VW Polo cuts a very handsome figure. That it looks a bit more Golf-like is bound to delight buyers in the Polo’s price range.