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to the online resource for everything Volkswagen Polo. Find the latest worldwide Polo news, past-model flashbacks, road tests, and model spotlights here!

25 May 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Site update: special Polo R WRC pages now live on PoloDriver.com

Following Volkswagen’s sensational announcement of the Polo R WRC on 5 May 2011, we’ve recently created a new section on PoloDriver.com all about the car with which VW will contest the World Rally Championship from 2013. With image galleries of both the Sardinia presentation on the eve of the Rally d’Italia Sardegna, as well as the set of official publicity shots, our dedicated Polo R WRC section on PoloDriver.com also includes the numerous approved press releases that Volkswagen Motorsport has released.

Since that first set of press releases, we’ve since learned that the 1.6T 300bhp Polo R WRC will begin testing at the end of 2011 – even if as reported, it initially appears as a pair of Škoda Fabia S2000 mules – and continue in 2012. A fully-fledged multi-car campaign will then start in 2013, with Volkswagen offically committing to 2015. Head over to our special Polo R WRC pages (navigation can also be found at the top of the page) to find out all about this latest exciting chapter in the Polo’s motorport career. We’ll be updating the section as more details are released before and after the car’s competitive debut.

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23 May 2011 ~ 0 Comments

‘Ready When You Are.’ New Polo Sedan launched in South Africa

Recently creeping into the pages of Volkswagen South Africa’s website is the new Polo Sedan. Based on the fifth-generation Polo hatchback and the same as the Polo Sedan sold in Russia and the Vento available in India, the new Polo Sedan joins the new Jetta, new Passat, Passat CC and Polo Vivo Sedan in the German company’s South African saloon model range. We didn’t know the notchback was due to hit South African streets, and as no press release has yet been issued, the launch of the latest new Polo variant is certainly a quiet one. And we think it’s unique that the newest generation of Polo hatchback and saloon are being sold alongside the same two variations of the last generation cars.

The South African New Polo Sedan comes with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines (with 63kW/84bhp and 77kW/104bhp outputs respectively) and one 1.6-litre TDI with 77kW/104bhp. There are Trendline and Comfortline trims, with the 1.6 Comfortline having the choice of an automatic ‘Tiptrionic’ gearbox. All other versions are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox. Trendline models get 14-inch steel wheels while Comfortline cars boast 15” ‘Riverside’ alloy wheels. Comfortline sedans are further differentiated by chrome trim on the front grilles and boot lid, and colour-coded door handles.

New Polo Sedan range: retail prices (VAT and Emissions Tax included)
1.4 63kW Trendline: R159,900
1.4 63kW Comfortline: R177,000
1.6 77kW Trendline: R182,200
1.6 77kW Comfortline: R195,000
1.6 77kW Comfortline Tiptronic: R209,000
1.6 77kW Comfortline TDI: R218,000

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21 May 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Team of four Polo-T touring cars to run in the Chinese Touring Car Championship

If you were excited by the idea of the Polo going rallying when Volkswagen unveiled the Polo R WRC a couple of weeks ago, then you may be pleased to learn that a pumped-up Polo rally car isn’t the only way with which the model can flex its motorsport muscles. The Polo has been a circuit racer since the mid-1980s when Volkswagen ran the one-make Polo Cup, and similar, later championships have been staged in the China, Germany, India, Turkey and the UK, using all generations of Polo. 2011 for example, sees the Engen Volkswagen Cup (Volkswagen Polo Cup South Africa) in South Africa and the Volkswagen Polo Cup India 2011 in – surprise!– India. And while the former uses last-generation Polo-based Polo Vivos, the latter uses fully-fledge Polo track racers, based on the latest fifth-generation 6R model.

Now, added to all that track-based activity, is the introduction of the Polo-T touring car. Run in the 2011 Chinese Touring Car Championship (CTCC), the five-door shell is powered by an FIA-approved 1.6-litre turbocharged engine producing 250bhp/184kW. Shanghai VW 333 Racing have entered four cars into the 2011 CTCC, and we’ll be keeping an interested eye on the cars for the rest of the season. Three classes make up the CTCC. There is the China Production Class (CPC) – formerly the 1600cc class – and the Super Production Class with naturally aspirated engines (SPNA), as well as the new Super Production Turbo class (SPT) class for cars with 1.6 litre turbocharged engines, in which the Polo-Ts compete.

The wide-arched and big-winged Polo-Ts will rub body panels with Suzuki Swift Turbos and Chevrolet Cruzes over the eight race weekend series (which ends in November), and are driven by Han-Han, Wang Rue, Gao Hua Yang and Sun Chao. The first round on 9 and 10 April saw moderate success, with Gao Huayang’s Polo-T winning the SPT class, beating Chen Huping’s Suzuki Swift Turbo into second place. The only SPT class finishers at the STC circuit in Shanghai, the next round of the series takes place on 28 and 29 May at the ZIC circuit in Zhuhai.

[Source: vwwatercooled.org // Images: Shanghai VW 333 Racing]

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20 May 2011 ~ 3 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Milltek Sport release performance exhaust for Polo GTI 1.4 TSI

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We can exclusively reveal that Milltek Sport is currently in the final stages of testing a full turbo-back exhaust system for the new Polo GTI. Although it’s still in testing, Milltek confirms it sounds fantastic and really suits the mini-Golf GTI character of the car perfectly.

While the Polo GTI is closely related to the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Bocanegra 1.4 TSI, the exhaust design still required some subtle changes to suit the slightly different aesthetics of the Volkswagen variant. As you can see from the photos, the tailpipes really add a bit of glamour to the rear of the car and let other drivers know the GTI in front is a little bit special. Not that they won’t be able to tell that from new sound coming from the enlarged twin tailpipes.

The Milltek exhaust system will be available in cat-back form (which does not require ECU tuning), or for those wishing to take full advantage of the engine’s tuning potential, a full turbo-back option featuring a large-bore downpipe and hi-flow sports catalyst. Milltek only uses the highest quality German HJS catalysts to ensure that the car will remain emission-legal and pass the UK MOT test – even with an ECU remap and a full exhaust system. Through an extensive development process, Milltek engineers have been able to develop an exhaust that is rich in its depth of sound with an aggressive undertone but have also been able to ensure that the Polo GTI’s everyday cruising integrity within the cabin is preserved intact.

The Milltek performance exhaust packages for the Polo GTI will be available from your nearest Milltek stockist very soon. Visit www.millteksport.com/dealers to find your nearest Milltek dealer or contact Milltek Sport for further details on +44 1332 227 280. We’ll bring you more details on the performance exhaust packages available and pricing when they are released.

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19 May 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Volkswagen celebrates Golf GTI anniversary with Edition 35

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original hot hatchback, Volkswagen has announced the first details of the latest special edition Golf GTI model – the Golf GTI Edition 35. With an increase in power of 23bhp over the ‘standard’ car, the Edition 35 develops 233bhp and is the most powerful production Golf GTI to date.

Since the debut of the first Golf GTI in 1976, the iconic model has enjoyed an uninterrupted history of success which now spans 35 years. During this time, the GTI has become a car with cult appeal as well as an independent brand and milestone GTI anniversaries have been celebrated with exclusive special models (in 1996, 2001 and 2006 – 20th, 25th and 30th anniversary models respectively), and Volkswagen continues this tradition with the Edition 35.

In addition to the increase in power, the Edition 35 combines classic GTI design elements with features specially created for this latest anniversary model. A revised front bumper is joined by lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels while, in the cabin, the traditional golf ball gearknob makes a return. To mark out this special edition further, the ‘35’ signature appears on the front wings, sill plates, head restraints and on the centre panel of the seats. The car will cost €30,425 (£26,627) in Germany when it goes on sale in mid-June.

This latest anniversary model will make its world debut at the legendary GTI event at Wörthersee in Austria at the beginning of June, alongside other GTI anniversary models. The Golf GTI Edition 35 will open for order in the UK later this year. Prices and full UK specification will be announced in due course.

[Source: Volkswagen UK]

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