A SPEEDY HALF CENTURY

AS VOLKSWAGEN'S ICONIC POLO TURNS 50 THIS JUNE, WE TAKE IT FOR A SPIN DOWN MEMORY LANE.

- Riaan Jacob George

To gauge the Polo’s cult status in India—a market in which it was discontinued in 2022—snatch a quick look at Volkswagen India’s Instagram page and you will see scores of messages from disappointed enthusiasts asking for the car to be brought back to India, in a collective social media war cry, if you will. And while the car is not available in India anymore, it is an international ‘auto celebrity’ in its own right, thanks to its iconic cultural vibe.

In June, the VW Polo turns 50 with a series of celebrations across the globe, conducted by heritage car enthusiasts as well as speed junkies. What started off, half a century ago, as a sort of modern follow-up to Volkswagen’s culturally significant Beetle, the Polo today has clocked over 20 million units worldwide, making it one of the most popular cars ever made. Pop culture enthusiasts love the iconic Polo limited editions such as the colourful Harlekin (based on the Harlequin clowns), the Polo Jeans and the Polo Genesis.