The Volkswagen Polo is one of VWSA’s bread-and-butter products and it’s crucial the new model continues to be the success story over the past 25 years. Mind you, Volkswagen’s SUV range are in a good space and 2022 will see the introduction of the Volkswagen Taigo – a compact SUV smaller than the T-Cross.
“The Volkswagen Polo is South Africa’s second best-selling passenger car after the Polo Vivo. In 2021, 16 454 Polos have been sold in the local market which translates to a share of 22.6% in the A0 Hatch segment,” said Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand.
It is assembled at VW’s facility in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and is an important source of employment in the area. These SA-built Polos are also for the export market, with over 80% leaving the factory for the international market. As it stands, over 78 000 units of this 6th-gen Polo have been sold in SA since its debut back in 2018.
Visually, you’ll be able to spot the newcomer with its revised design. There’s a new front end, complete with redesigned headlights featuring LED technology, like the lightbar that stretches inwards from the lights to the badge. The rear light cluster gets a completely new look too making the facelift easy to spot. Customers will have the choice of 8 exterior colours including 3 new ones (Ascot Grey, Vibrant Violet and Smoky Grey).
Inside, the Volkswagen Polo’s cabin has been given a makeover, with the redesigned multifunction steering wheel, updated infotainment system and wireless App-Connect (which is available as an option). There’s now touch functionality on the higher spec models that replace buttons and knobs.
Composition Colour (6.5-inch display – standard in 70 kW and 85 kW Polo and Life)
Composition Media (8-inch display – standard in the 85 kW R-Line and GTI)
Discover Media (8 inches with navigation, wireless app-connect, voice control, wireless mobile charging, digital cockpit – optional on Life, R-Line, GTI)
For the first time, the Volkswagen Polo 2022 gains IQ.Drive tech as an option. These semi-autonomous driving features include adaptive cruise control, lane assist and the brand says “the Polo brakes, accelerates and steers automatically within the system limits” when it is activated. The Polo is also offered with Front Assist and Pedestrian Monitoring.
The updated Volkswagen Polo adopts the brand’s current naming strategy, so your Trendline/Comfortline/Highline have been ditched in favour of: Polo version (base model), Polo Life (mid-level) and R-Line (premium).
LED headlights
LED tail lights
New multifunction steering wheel
14-inch steel wheels
App-Connect
Composition Colour
Bluetooth
Electric, heated exterior mirrors
Electric windows
Door handles/mirrors in exterior colour
Fabric trim
Options include 15-inch Essex alloys and smoker’s package
15-inch Essex alloy wheels
Centre armrest with USB-C port
Leather trim on steering wheel/gear knob
Uprated fabric trim
Options include a panoramic sunroof, 16-inch Torsby wheels, Composition Media, Discover Media, Rearview camera, Comfort Park package, Safety Package for manual, Safety Package for DSG, keyless entry, smokers package, NCAP Package.
R-Line bodykit
16-inch Valencia alloy wheels
2-zone climatronic aircon
Composition media with wireless phone charging
R-Line fabric seats
Options include a pano roof, 17-inch Bergamo alloy wheels, LED matric headlights, Discover Media, beats sound system, rearview camera, Comfort Park package, Safety Package, NCAP package, keyless entry, smokers package to name but a few.
Volkswagen SA confirmed its 2022 Polo GTI will also be launched at the same time as the updated Polo. It’s the sportiest model in the range and comes to market with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 147 kW and 320 Nm. Volkswagen says its Polo GTI is good for a 0-100 kph in just 6.7 seconds and thanks to its sporty suspension, will offer the most engaging drive in the Polo range. Customers will have just 4 colours to choose from;Pure White, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Kings Red Metallic and Reef Blue Metallic.
Standard features in the new Polo GTI are the two-zone climatronic air conditioning, IQ. Light LED matrix headlights, 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels and the Composition Media system with inductive mobile charging. Optional features in the Polo GTI include the panoramic sunroof, Deep Iron Grey dashboard trim, 18-inch Faro alloy wheels, Discover Media System, ‘beats’ sound system, leather seat package, Rear view Camera, Comfort Park Package, Safety Package, ‘stop-and-go’ Speed Limiter and Lane Assist, Pedestrian Monitoring and Front Assist), NCAP Package, keyless entry and a smoker’s package.
We’ve already touched on the GTI’s engine, but what about the rest of the range? Volkswagen has confirmed the engines for this updated Polo and there will be 3 turbocharged petrol motors on offer.
Kicking off the range is a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3 cylinder which produces 70 kW and 175 Nm. This is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and is available in the Polo and Polo Life.
Next up is the 1.0-litre turbocharged 3 cylinder which has more power. It has 85 kW and 200 Nm, and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is on offer. This powertrain is in the Polo Life and Polo R-Line models.
The third engine obviously is the GTI 2.0 Turbocharged motor.
Polo 1.0TSI 70 kW Manual – R311 800
Polo 1.0TSI 70 kW Life Manual – R350 000
Polo 1.0TSI 85 kW Life DSG – R370 700
Polo 1.0TSI 85 kW R-Line DSG – R421 900
Polo 2.0TSI GTI – R489 400
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