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Volkswagen Group South Africa has made a strong start to 2012, as the Polo Vivo and Polo took the country’s top two positions in the passenger car sales chart for January. From a total of 35,428 vehicles, the budget Polo Vivo sold 2964 units, while the fifth-generation Polo 6R swept up 2644 sales, an astonishing combined figure of 15.3% of the passenger car market. ‘Total vehicle sales of 9803 in January saw Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) top the total market in the first month of the year – with a 21.3% market share. Its market share in the passenger vehicle category was even more pleasing, at 25.5% with sales of 9003,’ said VWSA Sales and Marketing Director, Mike Glendinning.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines. Costing from R104,065 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the top 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the 2011 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009. The fifth-generation Polo (6R) is available as both a three and five-door hatchback in addition to the traditional four-door Polo Sedan.

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Volkswagen Australia is bringing yet more refinements to the Polo range, with the introduction of a revised range on 1 February 2012. Prices for the revised Polo range will be announced on this date. With such awards as Drive’s Car of the Year ‘Best City Car’ and Australia’s Best Cars ‘Best Light Car over $20,000’, the fifth-generation Polo has proved to be a hit for the second consecutive year, outstanding quality quality and class-leading engine technologies being its key strengths. The range revisions just make Volkswagen’s small car offering stronger.

The entry-level Polo Trendline will come in five-door form only, replacing the three-door model, and following the trend for the Australian small-car market in general. Elsewhere, equipment levels for all models have been enhanced. Bluetooth connectivity (an option sorely lacking on UK models) has been added, as has a Media Device Interface (MDI) and daytime driving lights. The top-flight GTI meanwhile, gets an RCD510 touchscreen audio system, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers and an automatically-dipping rear view mirror, all as standard.

[Source: vwwatercooled.org.au]

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In the latest issue of Volkswagen’s digital magazine ‘Das.’ the Polo GTI is captured on camera by German photographer Uwe Breitkopf. The seven stunning images feature a Shadow Blue three-door out on the streets, and the dynamic angles really catch the spirit of the small tearaway Volkswagen. With CGI used to complement the car, Breitkopf sates that, ‘Instead of revealing every detail, high contrast and a reduced colour code gives the images a strong and powerful graphic composition, inspiring the imagination.’ See the set of fantastic images for yourself at www.volkswagen-das.co.uk/#/spectacularview where you can also subscribe for future issues of the interactive magazine.

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2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

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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.

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The Polo Vivo was once again South Africa’s top-selling passenger car in December 2011, according to figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). In three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan (saloon) configurations, the Vivo claimed the sales top spot with a total of 3060 sales. Last month also saw the the fifth-generation Polo record impressive figures, too, once again in second place, with 2114 units. The Polo 6R was also the biggest export model for Volkswagen South Africa. The sole producer of right-hand drive current generation standard and CrossPolo-trimmed models, its state-of-the-art Uitenhage factory exported 2372 units overseas last month.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf, and is available as a three or five-door hatchback and four-door booted saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines. Costing from R104,065 for the base-model 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the top 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the 2011 Polo Vivo is based on the revised version of the Series 4 Polo (9N3), built from 2005 to 2009. The new fifth-generation Polo (6R) is also available as both a three and five-door hatchback in addition to the traditional four-door Polo Sedan.

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