Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the German car manufacturer Volkswagen since 1975. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, and estate variants throughout its production run. As of 2018, six separate generations of the Polo had been produced, usually identified by a "Series" or "Mark" number.

Some generations were facelifted midway through production, with the updated versions known unofficially by an addition of the letter F to the mark number, e.g., Mk2F. Some members of the automotive press and some enthusiasts consider the facelifts to be separate models, so have used the unofficial designations Polo Mk1 to Mk7 for previous generations. Each Polo model is also identified by a two- or three-character Volkswagen Group Typ number. Official VW Polo history describes Mark I to Mark IV using either Roman numerals The body style has been varied through the life of the car, originally as a hatchback, which derived from the Audi 50. It was also called the Volkswagen Derby. By 1979, 500,000 Polos were produced worldwide.

In 1977, the Derby saloon was released, which was simply a Polo, identical to the hatchback from the C-pillar forward, with a large boot attached.

The Mark 1 Polo and Derby were facelifted in 1979 (unofficially referred to as the Mark 1F) with plastic bumpers, a different front grille, and a revised dashboard. The round headlights of the Derby were replaced with square ones, bringing it in line with the similar Golf-based Jetta saloon.

Second generation (86C; 1981)

alt= Front-three-quarter view of a small three-door car.|thumb|Volkswagen Polo Mk2

The Polo Mk2 (or Typ 86C) was introduced in October 1981, with the major change being the introduction of a third body style with a steep (almost vertical) rear window, in addition to a version resembling the original Mk1 shape with a diagonal rear window. The original body style was simply called the Volkswagen Polo without a suffix in most markets (steilheck, "steep tail" in Germany) while the more traditional design was typically marketed as the Polo Coupé - although in fact, both were three-door hatchbacks. In some markets, the steilheck design was designated a Wagon. The saloon version received the name Volkswagen Derby, although it later became the Polo Sedan. Production was expanded to Spain in the mid-1980s following Volkswagen's takeover of SEAT. By 1983, the one-millionth Polo was produced. The second million were produced by 1986. In the years since then, it went on to achieve a higher survival rate than many of its competitors.

However, some engines were only available on certain markets. For example, the British market never received any diesel-engined versions of the Polo, though the diesel engine was already available on many similar cars by the end of the 1980s, namely the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Nova, and Peugeot 205.

Facelift (1990–1994)

thumb|left|alt= Front-three quarter view of a small three-door car with flush headlamps.|1990 Volkswagen Polo Mk2 facelift

thumb|right|alt= Rear-three quarter view of a small three-door car with flush headlamps.|1990 Volkswagen Polo Mk2 facelift rear

thumb|left|alt= Dashboard of a car with cloth seats, manual gearbox, no airbags, analogue dials, rotary fan and heater controls, a glovebox, hand-cranked windows, and a compact cassette head unit.|Interior

The Mark II Facelift (referred to as the Mark IIF, also erroneously known as the "Mark 3") was a far-reaching facelift of the MkII, including a reskin of the bodywork, launched in the autumn of 1990. The new look had square headlights, enlarged and reshaped taillights, bigger bumpers, and a new interior (dashboard and door trim). The three different body styles were maintained. Under the skin, the car received modifications to the chassis, suspension, and brakes, as well as the cosmetic differences. The new Polo retained the previous four-cylinder engines, but now as well as the carburetted 1.0-litre, a fuel-injected model was available with single-point injection, and all engines came with a catalytic converter as standard to combat tightening European emissions regulations. The saloon was only produced in Spain, and production ceased in 1992 due to disappointing sales.

At the time of launch of the Mark IIF Polo, the highest-performance model was the Polo GT. This featured a multipoint fuel-injected version of the 1272-cc engine, and a top speed more than 100 mph. This produced and had a quoted top speed of . Times for 0–60 stood at 11.1 seconds. The defining features of the GT include red piping in the bumpers, black overhead cloth, a tachometer, and a red "GT" badge in the grille. This was succeeded by the launch of the G40 in May 1991, displacing the GT as the most powerful Polo at the time, with a top speed around 120 mph – rivalling the likes of the Ford Fiesta XR2i, Peugeot 205 GTI, and Renault Clio 16v.

Soon after the launch of the Mark IIF, another sporting model was added to the range — a new version of the supercharged G40, now as a full production model in all markets rather than the limited batch of Mark II G40s. As with the previous model, Volkswagen Motorsport modified G40 Cup cars were sold for racing in a one-make series, the Volkswagen Polo G40 Cup. Features that define the G40 from other Polo models at the time (on top of the GT) include a bee-sting aerial, BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels, Le Mans interior trim, and front and rear red "G40" badges.

Third generation (6N/6KV; 1994)

alt= Front-three-quarter view of a small five-door car with a two-box body style fitted with door mirrors, flush headlamps, and body-coloured bumpers.|thumb|Volkswagen Polo Mk3

The Mark III Polo or Typ 6N, (sometimes referred to as the "Mark 4" by enthusiasts as it is the Polo's fourth guise) appeared in 1994, The Polo was also declared 2010 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show in April 2010. It also won What Car? Supermini of the Year 2010, as well as being awarded Japan Import Car of the Year for 2010–2011.

It shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk4 and the Audi A1. Production for the UK market started in August 2009, with first deliveries beginning in October 2009. The Polo Mark V is 44 mm longer, 32 mm wider, and sits 13 mm lower to the road than the previous generation Polo. Boot capacity is increased by 10 L to 280 L of storage space with 952 L with the seats folded down. The car is 7.5% lighter than its predecessor. The Polo has thoracic airbags and has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP crash impact rating.

Saloon versions

Volkswagen Vento/Polo Sedan

alt= Front-three-quarter view of a small four-door car with a three-box body style whose luggage compartment is separated from the passenger cockpit which is fitted with flush headlamps, body-coloured bumpers, and hubcaps.|left|thumb|Volkswagen Polo Saloon (Russia)

In 2010, a saloon based on the Polo Mk5 platform was developed for launch in India and Russia. This saloon is known as the Vento or Polo Sedan, depending on the country. It has a length of 4,384 mm, increased wheelbase (2,552 mm) and ground clearance (168–170 mm), and had one petrol engine (1.6-litre, four-cylinder, 105 PS; coupled with either five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox) and one diesel engine (1.6-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder common-rail, 105 PS; only five-speed manual gearbox) options available.

In several markets, it is succeeded by the Virtus, while some markets such as Mexico offered the Virtus alongside the Vento for the purpose of keeping a budget-friendly option. In Russia, the Polo Mk5-based Polo Saloon is succeeded by the Škoda Rapid-based Polo liftback.

Volkswagen Ameo

The Ameo is another saloon based on the Polo Mk5 which was released in June 2016. It was specifically developed for the Indian market which offers lower excise tax for vehicles shorter than 4 meter in length. The Ameo is more heavily derived from the hatchback body of the Polo, retaining its shorter wheelbase and the rear doors, unlike the larger Vento/Polo Saloon. It was discontinued in 2020 due to low demand.

File:2016-2020 Volkswagen Ameo front.jpg|alt=|Volkswagen Ameo

File:2016-2020 Volkswagen Ameo rear.jpg|alt=|Rear view

</gallery>

Sixth generation (AW/BZ; 2017)

thumb|Volkswagen Polo Mk6

The sixth generation Polo was unveiled on 16 June 2017, with production starting at the Pamplona plant on 17 July 2017. Built on the Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform, it is the first generation Polo not to be available as a 3-door model.

The boot space has increased by around 25% from 280 to 351 litres. As an option, this generation introduces the fully digital instrument cluster called "Active Info Digital Display Cockpit", the first car in the small car segment to do so. In addition, the Polo VI introduces a series of driver assistance systems such as traffic sign recognition, blind spot assistant and automatic emergency braking. On 21 April 2021, it received a mid-cycle facelift.

Polo Track

Announced in November 2022 as a replacement for the Gol, the Polo Track was released in February 2023 as a low-cost version of the Mk6 Polo. Aimed at fleet buyers, the Track version has a shorter list of features and a simpler exterior appearance. It is powered by a 1.0-litre MPI (1.6-litre 16V MSI 105 hp for Colombia and other countries) petrol flex engine producing .

GTI

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is a hot hatch version of the Polo.

Mk2 Polo GT G40 and Mk2F Polo G40

The Volkswagen Polo GTI can trace its roots back to the original hot Polo, the supercharged 1.3-litre G40. It was sold in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1994 in the form of the Mk2F Polo but was available during the late 1980s in limited numbers in Europe in the form of the Mk2 Polo GT G40. The car was expensive compared to its rivals of the time, so did not sell in vast numbers. This makes it highly collectible today, and according to Top Gear, "a potential future classic."

Mk3 Polo GTI

After production of the G40 ended in 1994, Volkswagen decided to release the first GTI-branded Polo in a limited batch of just 3000. It was released in 1995 and available only in left-hand drive. It featured a 1.6-litre, 16-valve engine. The GTI was not available in the UK at any stage during its limited production, so as of 1994, the UK only had the 1.4-litre, 16-valve as a model with any sporting intent.

Facelift (6N2)

Between 1999 and 2002, Volkswagen offered two sporting models — the 16V and GTI. The 16V came with the 1.4-litre, 16-valve (V), engine, and had options such as 15-in Spa alloys and air conditioning. However, the GTI – available only in three- or five-door hatchback body styles in three colours being red, silver, and black, used a 1.6-litre 16-V engine with variable valve timing. External changes included a deeper front splitter with honeycomb mesh grilles, lowered sports suspension (by 10 mm), a subtle rear spoiler, deeper side skirts, fog lights, and 15" BBS RXII split rims for the wheels, bearing 195/45/15 tyres. There were also standard extras such as Climatronic fully automatic air conditioning, xenon headlights with a headlight washer system, a six-disc CD autochanger with a GAMMA head unit, exclusive sports interior with leather steering wheel, handbrake and gearstick, chrome inserts, and driver aids such as ABS with EBD and an EDL (a system to aid traction). Leather and satellite navigation were also optional extras. The Polo GTI Mk3F, however, never got the new six-speed gearbox that was introduced in the smaller Volkswagen Lupo GTI, which shared the same engine.

File:1999-2001 Volkswagen Polo GTI.jpg|alt=Front-three-quarter view of a five-door car with fog lamps and alloy wheels.|Front view

File:1999-2001 Volkswagen Polo GTI rear.jpg|alt=Rear-three-quarter view of a two-box car with door mirrors and a small aerodynamic spoiler atop the rear hatch|Rear view

File:Cockpit Polo III GTI RHD.jpg|alt=Dashboard of a car with a manual gearbox, digital and analogue gauges, front airbags, and some sort of head unit.|Interior

</gallery>

Mk4 Polo GT

With the introduction of the 2002 Polo, the GTI model was discontinued and was given no direct replacement. A GT model, though, was produced, featuring the same 1.9-litre TDI, engine found in the popular Škoda Fabia vRS and SEAT Ibiza FR TDI, as well as a six-speed gearbox. Although this model had a relatively slow 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time over 9 seconds, it did have impressive midrange clout with torque figures of 310 Nm (228 lb-ft).

Mk4 Polo GTI

The GTI was not released until late 2005, after yet another Polo revamp was reintroduced. This time it boasted a 1.8-litre, engine, which had been used in models from the Mk4 Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Audi A6. Despite the impressive figures, this new model lacked the standard features of the Polo GTI Mk3, with xenon headlights not even on the options list, and fully digital climate control only being an expensive option. Although faster than the 2000–2002 Polo GTI, the newer model was also seen as being off the pace when compared to its rivals, most of which are now nudging . In Europe, this led to VW quickly beefing up the Polo further to create the Polo GTI Cup Edition, which was tuned to around and featured more aggressive styling, 17" wheels and larger diameter 312mm front disc brakes. The Polo GTI Cup Edition has 177 bhp, 29 bhp more than the standard Polo GTI. The standard Polo GTI model completes 0–100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, but in the Cup, it completes 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

File:2005-2010 Volkswagen Polo (9N3) GTI 3-door hatchback (2011-10-25).jpg|alt= Front-three-quarter view of a three-door car with a two-box body style fitted with alloy wheels, a sunroof, and fog lamps.|Front view

File:2005-2010 Volkswagen Polo (9N3) GTI 3-door hatchback 02.jpg|alt= Rear-three-quarter view of a car fitted with a roof rack|Rear view

File:Polopics1.jpg|alt= Dashboard of a car with a manual gearbox, compact disc player, front airbags, electric windows, rotary stereo and heater controls, and analogue and digital gauges|Interior

</gallery>

Mk5 Polo GTI

The Mk5 Polo GTI was launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The new GTI is powered by VW's award-winning 1.4-litre TSI engine (adapted from that used in the current Scirocco), which uses both a supercharger and turbocharger to provide torque throughout the revolution range. The Mk5 Polo is also 7.5% lighter than its predecessor and with a increase in power over the previous generation Polo GTI it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds. The Mk5 Polo also includes features not found on previous generation Polos, such as touch-screen satellite navigation and a seven-speed version of VW's DSG gearbox as standard.

File:VW Polo GTI (V) – Frontansicht, 7. März 2011, Mettmann.jpg|alt= Front-three-quarter view of a five-door car with fog lamps and alloy wheels|Front view (5-door)

File:VW Polo GTI (V) – Heckansicht, 7. März 2011, Mettmann.jpg|alt= Rear-three-quarter view of a car with twin exhausts|Rear view (5-door)

</gallery>

Facelift

The Mk5 Polo GTI facelift was launched in 2015. It featured a new 1.8-litre turbocharged engine, which had been developed by Audi. It produced 189 bhp and was capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds (real world test). It was now also available with a manual transmission.

File:2015 Volkswagen Polo GTi S-A 1.8 Front.jpg|alt= Front-three-quarter view of a three-door car with fog lamps and alloy wheels|Front view (3-door)

File:2015 Volkswagen Polo GTi S-A 1.8 Rear.jpg|alt= Rear-three quarter view of a three-door car with twin exhaust pipes|Rear view (3-door)

</gallery>

Mk6 Polo GTI

The Mk6 Polo GTI was launched in 2017. It features a slightly detuned version of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine from the Mk7 Golf GTI. It produced , an increase over the previous 1.8-litre engine, and was capable of getting to in under 6.7 seconds. Available transmissions are a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dq250 DSG. Along with the engine, the GTI version came standard with lowered suspension, GTI badges, GTI bumpers, 17-in wheels, sill extensions, bigger brakes, red brake calipers, twin exhausts, tartan seats, sport steering, red stitching, and a roof spoiler. It is equipped with a standard ‘sport’ chassis and optional ‘Sport Select’ chassis.

File:2019 Volkswagen Polo GTi Plus TSi S-A 2.0.jpg|alt=Front-three-quarter view of a five-door car with fog lamps and oversized alloy wheels|Front view

File:2019 Volkswagen Polo GTi Plus TSi S-A 2.0 Rear.jpg|alt= Car with twin exhaust pipes|Rear view

File:KristofferssonRallySweden2020(1).jpg|alt= Five-door two-box car in a racing livery fitted with a rear aerofoil and a roof-mounted air scoop for ventilation travelling at speed on a gravel course|Mk6 Polo GTi R5 rally car

</gallery>

Facelift

File:VW Polo GTI (VI, Facelift) – f 30062024.jpg|Front view

File:VW Polo GTI (VI, Facelift) – h 30062024.jpg|Rear view

</gallery>

Performance versions and motorsport

Volkswagen helped consolidate the pre-eminence of the so-called hot hatch genre of high-performance hatchbacks with their Golf GTI in 1975 and has produced a number of performance versions of the Polo. The first of these was the Polo GT version of the Polo Mk1F.

The Polo Mk2 and Mk2F were available as supercharged G40 models. The GT G40 with its 1.3-litre engine could reach in 8.1 seconds from standstill and had a maximum speed of . It was used by Volkswagen to set a number of world endurance speed records, such as the 1.3-litre class records for speed over 24 hours and speed over a distance of .

The fastest version of the Polo Mk3 on the United Kingdom market was the 1.6-litre, 16-V, model. A Polo GTI model was also produced, but only in a limited edition in Germany, and this was the first time the GTI label had been used for a Polo. A GTI version of the Polo Mk3F, with a 1.6-litre petrol engine was also produced.

In 2004, Volkswagen Individual, a specialist division of Volkswagen, produced a limited number of (Polo Mk4) Club Sports with a 1.8-litre, turbocharged engine producing . Available only in Germany, this was based on the one-make racing series Polo Cup Racer hatchback. The Club Sport came with a roll cage inside the vehicle and Recaro racing seats as standard.

A GTI version of the Polo Mk4F was launched in 2006. These feature styling similar to that of the contemporary Golf GTI and a turbocharged 20-V, , 1.8-litre petrol engine. It has a 0–100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of .

Volkswagen Individual have also engineered an even faster Polo called the Polo GTI Cup Edition. Available with the same 1.8-litre, turbocharged engine, albeit with , its claimed 0–100 km/h is 7.5 seconds, and it has a claimed top speed of .

Volkswagen Racing in South Africa rallied a four-wheel drive Polo Mk4F that shared some components with its sister World Rally Championship Škoda Fabia; the S2000 has a 2.0-litre, engine. Mk4 Polos have been entered into the Junior World Rally Championship. The Polo also competed in the Russian Touring Car Championship.

A number of one-make race series were made of the Polo, starting with the G40 Cup for Polo Mk2 and Mk2F G40 versions. The current Polo Cup championship for cars is a support race at rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

Sébastien Ogier won the FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 driving a Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

Sales

The sales of Volkswagen Polo set a benchmark for Volkswagen, which sold more than 12 million cars globally so far; in February 2010 Volkswagen produced the 11,111,111th Polo worldwide at the celebration event of its first production anniversary in Pune, India. In 2010, its first full year on sale in the United Kingdom, more than 45,000 units were sold. It was the UK's sixth-best selling new car.

11 years later, in 2021, the Polo has maintained consistent sales figures with it being the fifth best-selling car in the UK in 2021 having had 30,634 new registrations throughout the year.

In South Africa, the previous model year's Polo is produced as well, and branded as the Polo Vivo.

Volkswagen Polo remains one of Volkswagen’s key global models with notable developments and sustained demand in several markets in 2024 and early 2025. In 2024, Volkswagen produced approximately 472,000 Polo units globally, indicating a recovery from the pandemic-related downturns of previous years. Over its lifetime, the Polo has sold more than 13 million units worldwide, maintaining steady interest especially in Europe. Volkswagen has emphasized mild-hybrid technology and compliance with stricter emissions regulations to keep Polo competitive and sustainable in key European markets. The discontinuation of higher emission variants like the GTI in some markets is part of this pivot.

{| class="wikitable"

!Year

!Global (production)

!Europe

!Brazil

!China

! Polo Classic/Saloon

|1997

|456,363

|1998

|426,341

|1999

|351,666

|2000

|376,164

|364,402

|56,670

|2001

|328,542

|335,862

|32,598

|2002

|523,512

|357,146

|23,038

|24,702

|2003

|422,003

|344,169

|30,193

|84,272

|2004

|334,143

|306,935

|24,807

|100,331

|2005

|352,120

|288,274

|20,828

|59,623

|2006

|401,551

|295,176

|28,924

|67,237

|2007

|449,602

|289,388

|50,955

|86,861

|2008

|408,679

|276,098

|42,626

|62,167

|2009

|453,824

|289,279

|32,002

|16,764

|2010

|635,555

|360,937

|29,654

|16,692

|2011

|809,549

|356,355

|21,394

|12,850

|2012

|711,519

|286,167

|24,002

|15,265

|2013

|725,291

|264,763

|12,971

|2014

|753,754

|279,463

|8,862

|2015

|754,546

|301,462

|2,872

|2016

|794,388

|307,462

|2017

|271,369

|align="center"|9,521

|2018

|295,403

|69,584

|2019

|257,804

|72,057

|2020

|169,467

|41,836

|2021

|154,066

|19,196

|2022

|113,588

|align="center"|8,193

|2023

|align="center"|111,247

|36,453

|2024

|472,000

|140,154

|15,437

|2025

|122,677

|2,263

References

External links

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Volkswagen Polo website
Volkswagen Motorsport: 40 Years of Polo