Thabiso Malimela
The Volkswagen Polo is one of those cars that whenever a new model or facelifted update is revealed, everyone stops whatever they’re doing and pays attention, and I suspect it is for the same reason, the Polo is consistently the second best-selling car in each month, only shadowed by its Vivo sibling (or offspring if you may argue). With news of a new model being released for 2018, the motoring industry has no choice but to gawk in awe of the new Polo and its numerous offerings. One could write a J.K. Rowling rivalling novel speaking of the new Polo, but due to the short attention span of you millennials, we’d rather fill you in on the important bits only – the type that would make you sound 62,83% at any pub discussion. Here’s Everything you need to know about the 2018 Volkswagen Polo.
It’s Bigger!
If Volkswagen was a girl, then yes, that’s what she said! The new Polo, like most things in the 2010’s is now bigger than its predecessor. The 6th generation Polo arrives with augmented dimensions all round – it is 81mm longer, 63mm wider, 92mm longer wheelbase, 62mm wider front track and 49mm wider in the rear. The larger proportions are due largely due to the Polo being based on Volkswagen’s MQB Platform, of which it shares with other VW cars like the Golf, Tiguan, Passat and T-Roc. Knowing this piece of information might make you question the relevance of the Golf in the first place.
New Engines
Unlike the rest of the body, the only part of the Polo that has been reduced in size is the engine. The 2018 Polo will only be available with 1 engine (ignore the GTI for now). This lonesome powerplant is a 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor which is available with either 70kW and 175N.m of torque or 85kW and 200N.m of torque. The lesser state of tune is will be available along with either a 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission, while the more powerful tune comes with either a 6-speed manual or the same 7-speed DSG. You should expect fuel economy figures of 4.5 l/100km and 4.7l/100km for the 71kW and 85kW tunes respectively. Volkswagen haven’t quoted any performance figures and I suspect that could be because they are saving all the fuss about performance numbers for when the GTI is inevitably released.
The Interior
In the automotive world, you get bad interiors, good interiors, and then you get German interiors. And this rather subjective statement is no truer than when one opens the doors of the new Polo. You get a sense that the person who designed this interior was demoted from the design department of more affluent cars and is, with this brilliant piece of work, trying to climb the rankings once more. With the new Polo, you get an option to spec part of the dashboard in different colour schemes while a 6.5-inch touchscreen aimed at the drivers direction sits on the said dash like it was meant to be there – it comes as standard! This infotainment is upgradeable to 8-inch in more expensive Polo models, but more about that later on. Among the Polo range, you’re able to spec the Active Info Display, which according to VW, is newer and more user friendly than the one found in the updated Golf. The Active Info Display turns all the speed, rev and relevant car and traffic information that you’d find on an analogue instrument cluster and puts it on an 11.7-inch digital screen right in front of you.
Safety Features
Let’s forget for a second that VW once lied about their emmissions and let’s believe them when they say their cars are safe. I mean, they have specs (and arguably gimmicks) to consolidate their point. With this new incarnation of the Polo, VW have fitted an array of features to keep you safe. Such features include a Lane Change system, Blindspot monitor with rear traffic alert, semi-automated park assist, a proactive occupant protection system, and a manoeuvre braking function. If you’re still not convinced, check out how the new Polo did at the NCAP test facility.
50 Shades of Polo
In actual fact, there’s about 6 but it got you here didn’t it? Anyway, the three main models to lookout for are the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline
Trendline
The Trendline Polo is for those who are looking to get into a new and fresh design but enjoy the simple things in life without having to rob a bank to get them. The entry level Polo comes standard with a 4 speaker, 6.5-inch Composite Colour infotainment system, powered front windows, air conditioning and 14-inch steel wheels to give it that budget look. Unfortunately, you cannot spec any optional items onto the Trendline. But then again, what more do you need? Under the bonnet (hood for you American wannabes), you find the 70kW engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission only.
Comfortline
Up next on the Polo hierarchy is the Comfortline, which comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speaker 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system (much more sophisticated than the one found in the Trendline) and you can optionally spec SATNAV and the much talked about Active Info Display (see above). The Comfortline also has electric mirrors and windows, colour coded door handles and mirrors and you find the fatigue detection system fitted as standard. With regards to the driveline, the Comfortline receives the 70kW, 1.0 litre turbo motor along with a 5-speed manual or a slick 7-speed DSG transmission.
Highline
The generously spec’d Highline model comes with the most impressive features VW could add to a Polo without sticking the letters “G”, “T” and “I” on it as well. Expect to find 16-inch alloy wheels, brake discs on the rear wheels, sporty front seats, cruise control, voice control and the Composition Media 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Powering the Highline is the same 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo engine, only now producing 85kW through a 6-speed manual or the famed 7-speed DSG transmission.
GTI
Much praise has been given to any car that bears these three letters, and we hope that the new Polo GTI lives up to this. There are already good signs – for starters, while everyone is downsizing their engines, VW have decided to up the ante with the new Polo GTI. Beneath it lies a 2.0 litre turbocharged powerplant, worth 147kW mated to a 7-speed DSG. You also get a lower ride height, an electronic front differential, 17-inch alloy wheels and LED rear taillights. Inside the GTI, there is a set of neatly designed and sporty front leather seats (they are heated as well) and the flat-bottom wheel is fitted with paddle shifters to appeal to your inner Lewis Hamilton. Plenty more can be said about the Polo GTI, but we’ll leave some of that when it arrives here on our shores in the second quarter of 2018.
R-Line Package
Just to clear some confusion, this is not a Polo “R” – like what the Golf R is to the standard Golf. The R-Line Package aims to add some sportier characteristics to the Polo without altering its identity – it’s like when people wear gym outfits while never having set foot in a gym, ever. The R-Line Package sports (no pun intended) a sportier exterior (see? I told you), C-shaped front air curtains, side sills, a boot spoiler, rear diffuser and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Polo Beats
Hey cool kids and music lovers of the world! Turns out there’s a Polo out there just for you! The Polo Beats has a 300-watt sound system brought to you by Beats (by Dr. Dre) and comes with an assortment of other sound based customisations. However you’ll have to fork out an extra R12 650 for this enhanced sound experience.
Pricing
Amazingly, the new Polo is priced similarly to the outgoing model. To put things into perspective for you, the outgoing entry level Polo Trendline cost R229 600. The equivalent and new Trendline costs just R6300 more than the outgoing model, which is not a lot in case you’re wondering.
- 0 TSI 70kW Trendline R235 900
- 0 TSI 70kW Comfortline R264 700
- 0 TSI 70kW Comfortline DSG R280 700
- 0 TSI 85kW Highline R286 200
- 0 TSI 85kW Highline DSG R302 200
- 0 GTI 147kW DSG R387 500
Maintenance
- 3 year/45 000 km service plan
- 1 year/15 000 km service intervals
- 3 year/120 000 km mechanical warranty
