PoloDriver

Via a convoluted route courtesy of WorldCarFans, Indian Autos Blog and CarEdge Russia, we bring you this alleged new Polo Sedan design sketch has leaked all across the internet. Volkswagen is known to be developing a new booted version of the fifth-generation Polo for sale in Africa, Asia and possibly even the US, and this sketch certainly has a Polo-looking front end. Whether it’s official or not we don’t know, but from the mules out testing already, the final car will look much less swoopy than this rendering would have you believe.

Indian Autos Blog reckons that the new notchback Polo will be, in longstanding Volkswagen tradition, named after a wind (Typhoon is our current favourite) and go on sale in that particular country in the second half of this year. CarEdge Russia meanwhile reports that an official presentation will be held in June. Again, whether this is true or not is open to opinion, but if it is, the already expanding Polo V family will grow once again very soon.

Volkswagen will be showing its official accessories and lifestyle ranges as part of its stand at the AMI Leipzig motor show from 10 to 18 April. The Polo will be a major star at the event, with lowered suspension and aerodynamic body kits promoted, all of which enhance the fifth-generation model’s sporty looks. As well as the official accessories for the Polo, visitors to the Lifestyle part of the stand will be able to look at the clothing and home accessories available with the model’s branding.

Among the Polo products on offer are T-shirts, iPods and model cars. Other brands promoted will be GTI, Scirocco and T5. Model car collectors can also grab miniature versions of the new Touareg, Sharan and Amarok pick-up. Volkswagen Accessories GmbH is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and develops accessories for the company’s passenger car and commercial vehicle ranges. There are over 8000 accessory products available in Sport & Design, Wheels & Tyres, Communication, Transport, Comfort & Protection, Service & Care and Lifestyle ranges, all sold through official Volkswagen retailers.

Click here for more information on the official Volkswagen accessory range or download the latest Polo accessory brochure (European specification).

German Football legends Fritz Walter, Paul Breitner and Rudi Völler star in the latest advertising campaign for Volkswagen’s special edition TEAM models. In true Volkswagen special edition tradition, the extra-value family of Polo, Golf, Golf Plus, Scirocco and Tiguan TEAM models offer more kit for less money and what better way to promote football-associated models than with national heroes from the past?

Promotion for the TEAM models is now entering its second half and the legendary players from the 1954, 1974 and 1990 German world cup teams are now part of the campaign. ‘With this new campaign, we take off from all other football campaigns and continue to build up anticipation for the world championship. Together with our successful team special models and also Walter Fritz, Paul Breitner and Rudi Völler, we have the best team of all time,’ Werner Eichorn, Marketing Manager of Volkswagen Passenger Cars (Germany) enthuses.

The first phase of the ‘Legends’ promotion was the ‘Wintermärchens’ (‘Winter Fairy Tale’) campaign, which spread one idea across all forms of media. Based on the idea of celebration, the TV spots and print ads showed fans rejoicing with floats in street, celebrating Volkswagen’s ‘victory’ with the new TEAM models. With the new campaign, everyone can get involved and support the German World Cup entry (as well as the TEAM models) by ordering a personalised ‘TEAM 2010’ poster online. There will also be table-top football in Volkswagen Retailers across Germany, while the campaign will be rounded off with fan articles and public viewings of the Team models at selected locations.

The Audi 50 played an important part in the history of the Volkswagen Polo. Born into a energy crisis-hit world, the smallest production Audi ever built soon had a cheaper and more popular sister to play with, as Volkswagen launched its own less expensive version. Setting a template for the premium supermini, the 50 was a test bed for many technological developments and ultimately gave its life for the baby VW. We’ve just updated our history of Audi’s forgotten supermini. Pop across here to read the full story of the Audi 50.

As we reported on 1 April, the fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo was voted 2010 World Car of the Year, beating off competition from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Toyota Prius. Adding to its European Car of the Year 2010 title, the latest prize cements the latest Polo’s reputation as a multi-award winner. World Car of the Year have released photos from the awards ceremony that took place on the day of the announcement at the Javits Center in New York City. Click the gallery below for a slideshow of pictures.