Thabiso Malimela
Just a few days ago, VW showed to the world what will be the 2018 Polo hatchback, a car that they’ve been teasing for a while now. Months of speculation about new features and specification was cleared as they released full details and specifications of the car that they are certain will top VW and passenger car sales worldwide.
The successor to the fifth generation Polo was unveiled in Berlin, but expect it to arrive on South African soil no earlier than 2018, possibly, in the first quarter of the year. No SA-specific specifications, models or engine options were mentioned – it was an international showcase after all – but trust VW to throw in something interesting that only a South African would appreciate (something like a Polo Vivo).
The Polo, now in its sixth generation, has been transformed into a paradox on wheels. In creating this new model, VW has made the new car more sophisticated and smart, while also doing a lot to maintain its appeal to the youth. After all, according to the Alexander Forbes Insurance Company, 70% of the youth (18-25 years old) drive hatchback vehicles, with 30% of those being ones from the Wolfsburg brand. This statistic alone does a lot to justify figures that suggest that in 2016 alone, Volkswagen South Africa managed to sell 20 388 fifth generation Polos to South Africans while exporting 58 297 from their Uitenhage plant. The Polo is a consistent performer when it comes to the monthly sales of passenger vehicles, with it being found in the top 3 with each passing month. For example, in May 2017, it found 1 376 owners while the Polo Vivo outsold it by selling 1 955 units. Hopefully, you now understand how dominant the Polo is compared to its B-segment hatchback rivals such as the Ford Fiesta (which sold 390 cars last month). With that being said, the question to ask now is what has VW done to ensure that the new Polo stays on top while still remaining a Volkswagen – a car of the people!
Like human beings in the 21st century, the new Polo has gotten bigger which, unlike with people, is actually a good thing. To make this augmentation much more comprehensible, VW likens the dimensions of the new car to those of the MK IV (4th generation) Golf, with the new car having a longer wheelbase and a bigger boot space. The boot grows by 71 litres from the previous Polo to 351 litres. It begins to become clear that the new Polo is a packaging exercise when you consider the change in chassis dimensions to maximise interior space. The wheelbase is enlarged by 94 mm, the width by 69mm and as a result, the new car is 81mm longer than its predecessor. Not only does this do good by the way of interior space, exterior design has also benefited with the new car looking a tiny bit more aggressive and purposeful thanks to it being lower and wider. You know how people like it low and wide!
Memorise these three numbers: 5, 6 and 9.
5
The 2018 Polo will be available in 5 trim levels, one for every price bracket. We get the Trendline for those who’ve recently gotten their driver’s license and/or are testing the waters. Expect VW to be stingy when it comes to spec-ing up this trim level. Comfortline is like the middle child in the family – I’ll leave that one to your own assumptions. Moving up to Highline, you’ll find that this trim level is festooned with all the bells and whistles (the kind you see in brochures). VW has also added some much needed youthful vigour to the range with a Dr Dre approved Beats Special Edition Polo. With this package you get 16-inch alloy wheels, some sporty seats and a 300 watt sound system. At the summit of Polo Mountain is the GTI. More about this one later, but all I’ll tell you for now is that its body is not the only thing that’s gotten bigger.
6 and 9 – Get your mind out the gutter!
VW will release the new Polo with 6 different engines in 9 states of tune – a flavour for every palate! Right at the bottom, there is a 1.0 litre naturally aspirated 3 cylinder MPI (Multi-Point Injection) producing either 48kW or 55kW depending on the tune. This powertrain is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. Next is the 1.0 litre 3 cylinder TSI producing between 70kW and 85kW – just like in the facelifted Golf 7. While both tunes are available with a 7 speed DSG, alternatively, the weaker tune can only live with a 5 speed manual gearbox with the latter tune managing a 6 speed manual. Replacing the 1.2 litre TSI in current Polo models is the new 1.5 litre 4 cylinder TSI unit capable of a relatively meaty 110kW (powerrrrrrr!) and available with a 6 speed manual gearbox or 7 speed DSG. This new unit incorporates cylinder-on-demand technology which allows it to shutdown certain cylinders depending on the load thus further improving fuel economy (no fuel consumption figures yet). GTI fans will be pleased to know that VW has transplanted the famous EA888 from the Golf GTI, R and Audi S3 into the 2018 Polo GTI. The 2.0 litre 4 cylinder turbo-petrol unit is detuned to 147kW, up by 6kW from the 1.8 litre Polo GTI and down 22kW from its bigger brother or sister (take your sexism somewhere else!) the Golf GTI. Die hard diesel fans (do they even exist?) will be glad to know that despite dieselgate, VW is still pushing the diesel engine forward in its models. They will be bringing a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder TDI worth 50kW and 70kW and while both will receive a 5 speed manual gearbox, the latter tune will have an option of a 7 speed DSG. One engine that I’m sure will not be arriving at our shores but is still news worthy, is the 66kW 1.0 litre TGI unit that runs on natural gas. The new engine will be mated to a 5 speed gearbox. Although we probably won’t be receiving it, I guess it’s worthwhile clearing the air on that one (excuse the pun).
New Techy Gadgets
The 2018 Polo looks to be a winner once again because VW has not hesitated in giving their B-segment warrior the latest and best weapons to decimate its rivals. A second generation Active Info Display is passed down from Golf, Passat and Tiguan models and straight into the Polo, improved to be clearer and more user friendly. The Polo also inherits a 6.5-inch infotainment display, upgradeable to 8.0-inch in more expensive models. The interior altogether is much tidier and incorporates a feel of quality and improved design with the dashboard, steering and switchgear receiving very deft touches. The new interior design is available in 13 different dashpad colours and 11 seat cover designs. Expect wireless charging and keyless entry to be on the optional extras list too. Oh and look, a mechanical handbrake! (Handbrake turns internally)
The technology VW has added isn’t there just to keep you entertained – it can save your life too. A Front Assist Area monitoring system includes City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring while other sensory technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist and Blindspot Detection do the most in keeping you safe and alive. The new Polo will also be available with a tyre pressure monitoring system and stop/start engine technology to improve fuel economy when traffic lights are not kind to you.
New Exterior Design Language
The exterior styling, especially the front bumper design on standard models, is a nod to VW’s refreshed design language seen in models such as the Golf 7.5. The addition of the R-Line styling package adds some much needed aggression to the rather unpolarised styling of the standard car by introducing a sporty front bumper with fog lights and a spoiler lip, side sill extensions and a new alloy wheel design. The rear, although totally redesigned, still reminds me of the outgoing car. It’s like when family members say you look like a certain relative that died a long time ago. Though it would be unfair to call the non-R-Line Polo grotesque, I don’t see it winning any beauty contests any time soon. But you can’t really blame VW. Subtle, mature and calculated approaches to styling seems to sell these days. I mean, this car is supposed to be an accountant’s wet dream, right? Maybe a certain combination between the 14 different exterior colours and 12 wheel designs will really bring the car to life.
GTI
The go-faster Polo has been revived once again with VW revealing the 2018 Polo GTI along with its much slower siblings. It receives the trademark GTI styling cues– stick a GTI logo wherever you can and bring on the red accents! The front bumper design is similar to that of the R-Line Package, with the grille mesh now being honeycombed unlike the standard design. The front radiator grille carries a clearly visible GTI badge and chrome strip with the usual GTI red accent that leaks into the front headlight design (LED lights optional). Working your way around the back, you’ll find a large roof spoiler in gloss black, LED tail lights and a non-functional diffuser that houses the trademark GTI dual exhaust tips. The Polo GTI comes standard with 17-inch wheels (upgradeable to 18 inch) and red brake calipers. Inside the bigger body, the GTI has the steering wheel lifted from the new Golf GTI, sports seats, a GTI gear shifter and an Active Info Display. The 2.0 litre TSI motor new to the Polo GTI (but used in Golf guise since the MK V GTI), brings with it 147kW but I can already see aftermarket performance tuning companies preparing for the influx of power-hungry customers asking for MORE POWER!! Goodbye engine warranties! Depending on how active you want your left leg to be, you have a choice between a 6 speed manual gearbox and a 7 speed DSG to get your vrrr pha game on!
Summary
No matter which way you look at it, this car will be a hit amongst buyers, as every other Polo has been in the past. Even if they had given it looks that only a mother would love, it still would have found a way into people’s hearts because that’s literally what a VW is – a car for the people. The new Polo seems to have matured quite a lot while still remaining funky and trendy and is now a car you would buy on merit rather than reputation alone. It’s like that popular guy who’s always dead serious mid-week but come the weekend, he’s the life of the party. You’ll always wonder how he does it and you might even hate him while trying to be like him. But in the end, you’ll give in to his charm and join the bandwagon. In my mind, VW’s place on the throne is secure once again.
Polo Alternatives
- Ford Fiesta (new one coming soon)
- Renault Clio facelift
- Kia Rio (new one recently launched)
- Toyota Yaris facelift
- Hyundai i20
Polo GTI Alternatives
- Ford Focus ST200
- Renault Clio Trophy RS220
- Peugeot 208 GTi
- Mini Cooper S
- Toyota Yaris GRMN (if it is even coming)
