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NEW VIEW: The chic Polo range adds a rather ungainly looking sedan. Are you convinced?
Volkswagen’s popular Polo range has been expanded to include a sedan version, to (hopefully) offer the what the VW faithful expect, but with a little extra space.
Looking mostly identical to the hatchback when viewed from the front, there are, however, a few alterations to consider. The Polo sedan has two sets of headlights – single lamps for the base Trendline models, and twin headlight for the more luxurious Comfortline cars.
But the new body style’s most voluptuous feature is only really exposed when viewed in profile or from the rear. Although it begs to be seen in the metal, there does appear to be some harmony between the large rear light cluster and that of the hatchback. To distinguish the two, Comfortline models get a chrome strip along the bottom of the bootlid.
Six colours – white, red, silver, blue, beige and black – are offered for Polo sedan models.
PARCEL OR LEG ROOM
Bootspace of 454 litres should be sufficient for the needs of a busy couple or bustling young family. Volkswagen SA claims comfortable seating for up to five adults, thanks to the sedan’s improved legroom.
As for the engines, the entire hatchback line-up is duplicated (with the exception of the 1.2 Bluemotion launched in December, 2010).
The multi-valve 63kW/132Nm 1.4 and 77kW/155Nm 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as the 77kW/250Nm 1.6 TDI turbodiesel engines are all in attendance. Five-speed manual transmissions are standard, although a six-speed Tiptronic is available on the flagship petrol unit – the 1.6 Comfortline.
The sedan isn’t a bare-bones alternative either, and all models come standard with safety features such as ABS and EBD, front and side airbags, five three-point seatbelts and Isofix for the two outer seats on the rear bench.
SAFE AND SOUND
Convenience features on the Trendline include aircon, power steering, power windows all round, remote central locking, driver’s seat height adjustment, folding rear seat back with a 60/40 split and (crucially) a lights-on warning buzzer.
Comfortline models add body-coloured exterior trim, alloy wheels, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, audio system with auxiliary port, electrically-adjustable exterior mirrors, height adjustment for the front passenger seat and chrome-look interior accents.
ESP is standard on the 1.6 TDI Comfortline and optional on the petrol 1.6 Comfortline.
A three-year or 120 000km warranty are standard. Maintenance and service plans for five-years or 60 000km are options. Services are required at 15 000-km intervals.
The Polo hatchback was launched in South Africa in January 2010. It recently represented a huge feather in the cap of the manufacturer’s Uitenhage operations (where it is built) when it was awarded the joint 2010 SA Car of the Year title. Will the Polo sedan be able to honour that achievement? Time (and a test drive) will tell...
PRICES (incl. VAT and emissions tax)
1.4 Trendline R159 900
1.4 Comfortline R177 000
1.6 Trendline R182 200
1.6 Comfortline R195 000
1.6 Comfortline Tiptronic R209 000
1.6 TDI Comfortline R218 000
Looking mostly identical to the hatchback when viewed from the front, there are, however, a few alterations to consider. The Polo sedan has two sets of headlights – single lamps for the base Trendline models, and twin headlight for the more luxurious Comfortline cars.
But the new body style’s most voluptuous feature is only really exposed when viewed in profile or from the rear. Although it begs to be seen in the metal, there does appear to be some harmony between the large rear light cluster and that of the hatchback. To distinguish the two, Comfortline models get a chrome strip along the bottom of the bootlid.
Six colours – white, red, silver, blue, beige and black – are offered for Polo sedan models.
PARCEL OR LEG ROOM
Bootspace of 454 litres should be sufficient for the needs of a busy couple or bustling young family. Volkswagen SA claims comfortable seating for up to five adults, thanks to the sedan’s improved legroom.
As for the engines, the entire hatchback line-up is duplicated (with the exception of the 1.2 Bluemotion launched in December, 2010).
The multi-valve 63kW/132Nm 1.4 and 77kW/155Nm 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as the 77kW/250Nm 1.6 TDI turbodiesel engines are all in attendance. Five-speed manual transmissions are standard, although a six-speed Tiptronic is available on the flagship petrol unit – the 1.6 Comfortline.
The sedan isn’t a bare-bones alternative either, and all models come standard with safety features such as ABS and EBD, front and side airbags, five three-point seatbelts and Isofix for the two outer seats on the rear bench.
NOW WITH BUMP: The Polo's face looks familiar, but the added "box" at the rear holds the promise of extra stowage space.
Convenience features on the Trendline include aircon, power steering, power windows all round, remote central locking, driver’s seat height adjustment, folding rear seat back with a 60/40 split and (crucially) a lights-on warning buzzer.
Comfortline models add body-coloured exterior trim, alloy wheels, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, audio system with auxiliary port, electrically-adjustable exterior mirrors, height adjustment for the front passenger seat and chrome-look interior accents.
ESP is standard on the 1.6 TDI Comfortline and optional on the petrol 1.6 Comfortline.
A three-year or 120 000km warranty are standard. Maintenance and service plans for five-years or 60 000km are options. Services are required at 15 000-km intervals.
The Polo hatchback was launched in South Africa in January 2010. It recently represented a huge feather in the cap of the manufacturer’s Uitenhage operations (where it is built) when it was awarded the joint 2010 SA Car of the Year title. Will the Polo sedan be able to honour that achievement? Time (and a test drive) will tell...
PRICES (incl. VAT and emissions tax)
1.4 Trendline R159 900
1.4 Comfortline R177 000
1.6 Trendline R182 200
1.6 Comfortline R195 000
1.6 Comfortline Tiptronic R209 000
1.6 TDI Comfortline R218 000
