PoloDriver

One from the archives today. The coming of April Fool’s Day reminded us of this press advertisement from 1996. Detailing the arrival of the Polo Harlequin special edition, this advert states that the colourful model was just one of several new Polo variations due to go on sale. On sale in the UK not long after its appearance at the 1995 London Motor Show, the Polo Harlequin was based on the 1.4 CL. The car featured its own unique upholstery, driver’s airbag, GLX ‘sports bumpers’, white indicators and darkened rear light clusters.

The car was made in batches of four (Yellow, Pistachio Green, Chagall Blue and Flash Red were the colourways) and the customer could not specify a certain panel to be a certain colour – the colour combination that the car arrived in would be a complete surprise. The price at launch in April 1996 (five-door only) was £11,095. It’s believed that Volkswagen UK sold just 113 examples, of which 62 are alleged to be still on the road with 9 cars currently SORNed (although many cars have been reportedly resprayed a single colour). The significance of April Fool’s Day? This advertisement was placed in the Daily Express on 1 April 1996!

In the same way that Volkswagen ‘Match’ models in the UK have traditionally meant more kit for less money, the German company has adopted the same principle – and name – for a range of special editions. Versions of the Polo, Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Variant, Jetta, Scirocco, Sharan and Touran can be ordered in Match configuration, with many enjoying extra kit which saves buyers over €3330 when the options are added individually. Distinguishing features for the German-market Polo Match model includes special 15-inch ‘Stratford’ alloy wheels, unique ‘Victory’ striped interior upholstery, leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake cover and gearshift gaiter, aluminium dashboard inserts, rain sensor, ParkPilot parking system, gloss black door mirrors, chrome-trimmed front grilles, and special ‘Match’ badging.

All Match models come in Reflex Silver Metallic, and the Polo can be ordered with 16-inch ‘Syenit’ alloy wheels with black highlights, and fitted with 215/45 R 16 tyres. The Polo Match comes with 1.2-litre 59 and 69bhp, 1.4 84bhp, 1.2 TSI 89 and 104bhp petrol engines, and 1.2-litre 74bhp, 1.6 89 and 104bhp TDI units. An 81bhp BiFuel version is also available. The ‘Match Plus’ optional extra package includes 16-inch ‘Mistral’ alloy wheels, reading lights, make-up light in the sun visors, panoramic glass sunroof, locking alloy wheel bolts, and space saver spare wheel. The Polo Match is available to order now and starts from €14,450 for the 59bhp 1.2 version, rising to €19,400 for the 89bhp 1.2 TSI with seven-speed DSG gearbox. For more information go to Volkswagen’s Match models microsite.

Following its creation of a modern-day Polo Harlequin courtesy of a multi-coloured film wrap, Drift Bridge Volkswagen of Epsom have again made an eye-catching Polo to lure potential customers onto its forecourt. Once again, Paul Baker is the man behind the idea, and this time, the wrapped car apes the Polo R WRC unveiled earlier this year by Volkswagen Motorsport. In a repeat of the last process, wrapping was carried out by professional wrappers Creative FX, with Chris Pook leading the transformation. Based in Bromley, Greater London, Creative FX specialises in vinyl wrapping and personalisation of cars, vans, bikes and scooters, as well as offering stone chip protection and window tinting services for customers.

‘We had it done after seeing the pictures of the Polo R WRC at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We always try to be current and do something that grabs people’s attention, said Paul Baker. ‘The car is for sale, and is a Candy While 1.4-litre 84bhp Match with ‘Knight’ alloys, VW genuine accessory boot spoiler painted white then wrapped in matt black, and VW genuine accessory exhaust trim. It’s certainly getting allot of attention parked on my forecourt!’ Paul also states that the car is for sale, at £14,495, but that he’d let it go for less once it’s served its purpose. Alternatively, Drift Bridge VW Epsom would transform another car should anyone want a Polo R WRC replica sooner. The wrapped Harlequin may also be up for sale soon.

Following success with its cricket-themed ‘IPL Edition’ Vento, Volkswagen India has launched the Polo and Vento ‘Breeze‘ special limited edition models. Launched in a fanfare with a ‘Breeze Weekend’ at its 77 retailers, Volkswagen India state that the Breeze models feature up to Rs 40,000 of extra equipment. The Polo Breeze is available with both 1.2 (75bhp/55kW) and 1.6-litre (104bhp/77kW) petrol engines and in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trims. The Vento Breeze meanwhile comes with either a 1.6-litre petrol or the same capacity diesel engine, both developing 104bhp/77kW.

Both models come with special ‘Breeze’ badging at the rear and on the C-pillar and (nice, these) unique rear seat cushions. Extra kit on the Polo Breeze includes a Navon 4.3-inch satellite navigation system, special ‘Breeze’ seat covers and floor mats, as well as rear parking sensors. The Vento Breeze’s special equipment includes a touchscreen multimedia player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a centre armrest between the front seats. The hatchback Polo Breeze is available in a choice of six colours, while the notchback Vento’s palette features two fewer options. Ex-showroom prices for the Polo and Vento Breeze special models start at Rs.4.5 lakhs and Rs.6.95 lakhs respectively.

While panoramic sunroofs may be a rare sight in the UK, they may be about to be commonplace in Europe. Volkswagen has recently added the five-door Polo Sky to its range in Austria, and as you’d expect with a name like that, a panoramic glass sunroof makes up a pretty large part of this special-edition Volkswagen supermini. Other extra kit differentiating the Polo Sky from its lesser brethren includes pricey LED daytime running lights, ‘Climatronic’ climate control, rain sensor, 15-inch ‘Riverside’ alloy wheels, ‘Pepper Grey Metallic’ centre console finish and unique ‘Livon’ upholstery.

Petrol engines start with the 68bhp 1.2, move up through the 1.4-litre 84bhp unit, and finish with the 1.2 104bhp TSI. 90 and 105bhp 1.6 TDIs are also available. Although sounding like a tie-up between Volkswagen and TV conglomerate BSkyB, the Polo Sky appears to be good value, starting at €17.880 for the lesser-powered 1.2, rising to €22.480 for the 90bhp 1.6 TDI with seven-speed DSG gearbox. For more information on the Polo Sky – and other models in the Volkswagen Austria special-edition ‘Sky’ range – visit the Volkswagen Austria website.