Share

Volkswagen launches all-new Polo in SA: All you need to know

accreditation

 • Sixth generation Polo in South Africa
 • Longer, lower and larger inside
 • Enhanced features
 • First Polo with digital instruments
 • Trendline, Comfortline, Highline trim
 • GTI, beats and R-Line packages

Port Elizabeth - Since its launch in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo hatch has consistently been the second best-selling passenger car in South Africa, with its sibling the Polo Vivo being SA's best-seller.

In 2018, VW launches its sixth-generation Polo; longer, lower, larger inside and packed with new features that have trickled down from its Golf sibling. 

The new Polo has a completely redesigned interior offering more interior room and driver assistance systems. It's available in three trim levels (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline) as well as Beats, R-Line and sporty GTI guise. Power is provided by a 1-0-litre petrol (tuned to either 70kW or 85kW) and a 2.0-litre turbo powering the GTI set to arrive locally in the second quarter. 

Gallery: 2018 Volkswagen Polo 

Prices start from R235 000 for the entry level Trendline to R302 000 for the range-topping Highline. Volkswagen also used the launch of its new Polo to debut its 2018 Polo Cup car, more on that at the end of this article.


Prices

1.0 TSI 70kW Trendline - R235 200
1.0 TSI 70kW Comfortline - R264 700
1.0 TSI 70kW Comfortline DSG - R280 700
1.0 TSI 85kW Highline - R286 200
1.0 TSI 85kW Highline DSG - R302 200


Based on the VW group's MQB A0 platform, the Polo sports new dimensions; length has been increased 81mm to 4053mm and  wheelbase lengthened by 94mm to 2548mm. The hatchback is also 69mm wider to 1751mm though its height has been reduced by 7mm to 1461mm.

In addition to the three standard trim lines, the special edition Polo beats (with features including a 300-watt sound system), R-Line package (with a sporty exterior featuring C-shaped front air curtains, side sills, boot spoiler, rear diffuser and 17-inch Bonneville alloy wheels) and the performance focused halo model, the Polo GTI, (available in South Africa in the second quarter), provide added variety.

Design

Like the Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Passat and Arteon, the Polo is now also based on the group's MQB platform and as a result gains many of the design and structural elements of its siblings. 

It's a lot more assertive in appearance than its predecessor though borrowing heavily from the current Golf. The roof line is longer and a fine line runs along its flanks.

Power

The 1-litre turbocharged engine is capable of 70kW/175Nm, standard for both the Trendline and Comfortline, and can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or optional 7-speed DSG. Fitted with a manual transmission it's capable it has a claimed fuel consumption of 4.5 litres/100km with emissions of 103g/km. The 7-speed DSG has a fuel consumption of 4.7 litres/100km and emits 107g/km of CO2.

The most powerful 1.0 TSI three-cylinder for the Polo is tuned to 85kW/200Nm and can be mated to a 6-speed manual as standard or optional with a 7-speed DSG. 

Image: QuickPic

Inside

A new dashboard and cockpit layout makes its way into Volkswagen compact models.

New for this generation of Polo is a redesigned dashpad offered with different coloured trims. Two dashpad coloured trims are available; grey metallic for the Trendline and Comfortline while iron metallic is used for the Highline.

Inside it has a new dashboard, angled centre console as well as revised dials and controls. 

Image: QuickPic

Infotainment system

The Polo will launch as the first Volkswagen (and the first Group model) to offer a new generation of Active Info Display (11.7" display diagonal) and have taken its high-quality graphics (133 dpi / resolution 1280 x 480 pixels) and functional range to a new level.

Image: QuickPic

The display offers better graphic performance, more colours and fewer conventional indicator lights. Using a ‘View button' on the multifunction steering wheel, the Polo driver can now also switch between three basic layouts, easily and quickly. The Active Info Display is optional across the range excluding Trendline models and is available at launch. 

Image: QuickPic

Driver Assistance systems 

New features for the Polo include the lane change system, blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, semi-automated park assist, proactive occupant protection system and a manoeuvre braking function. The hatchback has optional keyless start.

Image: QuickPic

Trim levels

The new Polo will be available in the three trim lines Trendline, Comfortline and Highline and also as a special Beats version (with a 300-watt Beats sound system). 

Exterior 

Fine details distinguish the exterior of the three trim lines Trendline, Comfortline and Highline from one another. The Comfortline is identified by a chromed strip along the radiator grille between the headlights. The Highline has additional chrome strips in the lower ventilation grille and colour-coded mirrors and door releases.

Image: QuickPic

The Polo beats features include black painted exterior mirror housings, decorative decals on the bonnet and roof and 'beats' badging on the B-pillars. The R-Line package (optional on Comfortline and Highline) features a sport front bumper with black C-shaped air curtains, side sills, gloss black rear boot spoiler and a sporty rear diffuser.

Overview of standard features

Trendline: Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as well as LED daytime running lights and front and rear curtain airbags. Front power windows, colour infotainment system with four speakers and a Connectivity Package featuring Bluetooth and USB also come as standard. 

Comfortline: Multi-function Display “Plus”, the Composition Colour infotainment system with six speakers, leather multi-function steering wheel, Driver Alert System and front and rear electric windows. 

Highline: Composition Media infotainment system, App Connect, Voice Control, Sport seats, Cruise Control with speed limiter and white LED ambient lighting (front doors and instrument panel). 

Beats: The new edition of the successful Polo beats special model has a 300-watt sound system from legendary US audio specialist ‘beats' (by Dr. Dre) and a whole array of customised features on board. The newly-designed amplifier and subwoofer are housed at the bottom of the boot to the left hand side of the spare wheel well, where a full-size spare wheel is housed.

The Comfortline and Highline trim versions can be further personalised by choosing the R-Line package. 

R-Line: The ‘R-Line' package makes the Polo even more dynamic with such features as 17-inch alloy wheels ('Bonneville'), a large, sporty front bumper and, at the rear, a diffuser with chrome trims and a roof spoiler. The Polo with R-Line package also has wrap-around black sill trim strips which visually press the car down to the road. The R-Line Package is only available in South Africa in the second quarter.

Image: QuickPic

Convenience and comfort features 

The Polo can be further personalised and upgraded to satisfy individual budgets and tastes. New in the options programme are features such as high-intensity LED head- and tail light clusters and one of the largest panoramic sunroofs in its class (opening is 10mm wider and 20mm longer than before).

The new Polo has increased boot volume - from 280 to 351 litres.

2018 Polo Cup

The launch of the new Polo coincided with the reveal of Volkswagen Motorsport's 2018 Polo Cup car:

 

Image: QuickPic

Pricing

1.0 TSI 70kW Trendline - R235 200
1.0 TSI 70kW Comfortline - R264 700
1.0 TSI 70kW Comfortline DSG - R280 700
1.0 TSI 85kW Highline - R286 200
1.0 TSI 85kW Highline DSG - R302 200

The new Volkswagen Polo models come standard with a 3 year/45 000km Service Plan, 
3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE