Polo Driver

34 years, over 10 million sales: five generations of the Polo in the UK

1975

• Series 1 Polo launched in N and L specifications
• 40bhp, 895cc engine
• Length 3,505mm; width 1,562mm; height 1,334mm; wheelbase 2,337mm.

1976

• Larger engine; 1.1-litre 50bhp introduced to the range.

1979

• 500,000th Polo produced.

1981

• Series 2 Polo launched
• 1043cc 40bhp, 1093 50bhp and same capacity Formel E engines designed to run on four rather than two-star petrol
• Length 3,655mm (+ 650mm); width 1,580mm (+ 18mm); height 1,355mm (+ 21mm); wheelbase 2,335mm (- 2mm)
• Two bodystyles: ’squareback’ hatchback and notchback saloon (‘Classic’).

1982

• Polo Coupé introduced with 1093cc 50bhp engine.

1983

1986

• 2,000,000th Polo produced.

1990

• Series 2 comprehensive facelift
• Length 3,765mm (+ 110mm); width 1,570mm (- 10mm); height 1,350mm (- 5mm); wheelbase 2,335 mm (+ 0mm)
• Polo becomes first small car to be fitted with catalyst as standard to meet emissions legislation.

1991

• 3,000,000th Polo produced
• Supercharged Polo G40 with 1.3-litre 113bhp engine launched.

1994

• Series 3 Polo launched with petrol engines including include 1.0-litre 45bhp, 1.3-litre 55bhp and 1.6-litre 75bhp
• First time for: diesel engine, five-door bodystyle, automatic transmission and a standard driver’s airbag on all but the entry-level L model
• 4,000,000th Polo produced
• Length 3,715mm (- 50mm); width 1,655mm (+ 85mm); height 1,420mm (+ 70mm); wheelbase 2,400mm (+ 65mm).

1996

• Polo Saloon launched, replacing Series 2 Polo Classic
• Polo Harlequin introduced with 1.4-litre 60bhp engine
• 1.9-litre 64bhp diesel engine makes its debut.

1997

• Polo Estate launched
• 5,000,000th Polo produced.

1998

• 6,000,000th Polo produced.

2000

• UK launch of facelifted Series 3 model
• Engine highlights include 1.4-litre TDI PD diesel and, for the first time, a GTI with 1.6-litre 125bhp engine and modifications in appearance
• At 25th anniversary, 6,480,000 Polos had been built.

2001

• 7,000,000th Polo produced
• Facelifted saloon and estate launched.

2002

• Series 4 Polo launched
• Class-first as all models feature ABS and twin front airbags as standard
• Length 3,897mm (+ 182mm); width 1,650 mm (- 5mm); height 1,465mm (+ 45mm); wheelbase 2,460mm (+ 60mm).

2003

• 8,000,000th Polo produced
• 1.4-litre 85bhp FSI direct injection petrol model launched. Polo becomes the first Volkswagen in the UK to feature this technology
• Twist model launched.

2004

• Polo Dune launched – a five-door variant featuring raised suspension and enhanced SUV-style bodywork. Available with a 1.2-litre 65bhp three-cylinder petrol; a 1.4-litre 75bhp four-cylinder petrol; and a 1.4-litre 75bhp TDI three-cylinder diesel.

2005

• 9,000,000th Polo produced
• International debut of the revised Polo at the Leipzig motor show in April. Revised Polo on sale in the UK from June
• Length 3,916mm (+ 19mm); width 1,650mm (+ 0mm); height 1,465mm (+ 0mm); wheelbase: 2,460mm (+ 0mm).

2006

2007

• 10,000,000th Polo produced
• BlueMotion technology debuts in the UK on the Polo. Model launched with a 1.4-litre TDI 80bhp engine which returns 74.3mpg and emits just 99g/km of CO2.

2009

• International debut of the Series 5 Polo at the Geneva motor show in March
• Length 3,952mm (+ 36mm); width 1,682mm (+ 32mm); height 1,454mm (- 13mm); wheelbase 2,470mm (+ 10mm).
• Premier of three-door and BlueMotion versions at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

(Thanks to the Volkswagen UK Press Office.)

For in-depth histories of the Polo generations, special model details, production tallies and technical specifications, visit the links below or pages in the drop-down ‘Heritage’ menu:

Series 1 Polo: 1975-1981
Series 2 Polo: 1981-1994
Series 3 Polo: 1994-2001