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• The new Volkswagen Polo is now officially on sale in South Africa.
• Three models will make up the initial line-up, with more models scheduled for introduction in March.
• The new Polo range is headlined by a GTI model.
• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24
2022 is a big year for Volkswagen South Africa as it welcomes the new Polo hatchback. For years, the Polo has been the top-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa, raking in sales far surpassing 1 000 units per month. And when it's really going well in a specific month, more than 2 500 buyers can take ownership of their new rides.
Following the 2021 announcement that production of the new - or heavily updated Polo, rather - would commence, followed by sales in January 2022, everyone just knew that the car would become an instant success. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out, though, as the car has always been the one our people gravitated towards. A fact underlined by the almost 79 000 units of the current sixth-generation Polo sold in the country.
The new Polo's official media launch will take place in February, and we believe it will continue with the sales success of its forebears. Here are three reasons we think the upcoming Polo will win the heart of South Africans. Again.
1. Cool design
VW opted to give the Polo a complete redesign, bringing it in line with cars like the all-electric ID vehicles and the new Golf. The design is smoother, cleaner and a lot edgier than before. Especially striking is the new front grille - on both the standard model and the GTI. A range of rim design options is also on offer.
The Polo range will now come standard with LED headlights, but IQ.Light LED matrix headlights will feature on models like the Polo GTI.
Volkswagen South Africa says that the new Polo will be available in eight colours, including new ones like Ascot Grey Kings Red Metallic, and Vibrant Violet Metallic.
Are you a VW Polo owner? Share your ownership experiences with us via email or use the comment section below.
2. A digital affair
The forthcoming Polo takes a page out of the new Golf's books in terms of the interior. The 'vibe' is more digital, and everything can be accessed and operated via the almost-all digital dashboard.
According to VW, the Polo range will now be available with three infotainment systems, headlined by the (optional) 8.0-inch Discover media system that comes standard with navigation, wireless App-Connect, voice control, inductive mobile charging. This optional system, available to only the 85kW Life, R-Line and GTI derivatives, can be further enhanced by the optional Digital Cockpit Pro.
The other two infotainment options available to the Polo are the Composition Colour 6.5-inch display standard in the 70kW and 85kW Polo and Life, and the Composition Media 8.0-inch display in the 85kW R-Line and GTI.
3. The GTI
The GTI model is a mainstay in the Polo line-up, and the plant in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) is the only one in the world where this model is produced. Volkswagen says that the new Polo GTI will again head the Polo range regarding technology and features, but won't forego the sportiness it's known for.
Aiding the sports suspension, the new Polo GTI will come standard with a driving profile selection consisting of Eco, Individual, Normal, and Sport. Other standard features include the matrix headlights and 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels.
As the sports model in the range, the Polo GTI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops 147kW and 320Nm. 0-100km/h is cleared in a claimed 6.7 seconds.
Polo 1.0 TSI 70kW Manual - R311 800
Polo Life 1.0 TSI 70kW Manual - R350 000
Polo GTI 2.0 TSI 147kW DSG - R489 400
The new Volkswagen Polo comes standard with a three-year or 120 000km warranty, a three-year or 45 000km EasyDrive service plan, and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.
The new Polo 70kW and GTI derivatives will retail from January 2022. The Polo 85kW derivatives will be available from March 2022.
