Putting the Volkswagen Polo through its paces

In the first half of 2015, Volkswagen UK achieved 29,980 registrations of the Polo, its second most popular line after the Golf, which came in at 38,261. In fact, the Polo is the third most popular B-segment new car this year, behind the Vauxhall Corsa with 50,125 units and the Ford Fiesta with 71,990 registrations.

AM has taken delivery of a Polo 1.2TSI in SE Design specification, which we will be reviewing over the next six months to understand the strengths and opportunities this model range offers the dealer network.

This fifth-generation Polo has been in the UK new car market since 2009, and was subtly revised in mid-2014. The figures above indicate the changes have done a good job at ensuring this is still an in-demand supermini – it is beating its 2010 result, its first full year on sale, when the Polo achieved 26,484 registrations at the half-year point and 45,517 units by the year-end.

“The changes have done a good job at ensuring this is still an in-demand supermini”

Following the 2014 facelift, Volkswagen has introduced two extensions to the Polo range this year: a new GTi and a petrol-powered Bluemotion. The £18,850 GTi uses a 190bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine to tempt buyers with a 6.7-second 0-62mph sprint. The Bluemotion, from £14,730, is designed to attract the other end of the market, with its 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol unit providing 94g/km CO2 and 68.9mpg combined-cycle fuel efficiency.

The Polo has also won Volkswagen some positive PR with its motorsport success. The Polo R WRC was an important part of the brand’s display at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, having won the World Rally Championship in 2013 and 2014 and still leading the manufacturer and driver championships in 2015.

Currently, Volkswagen UK has a strong customer incentive on the Polo range, offering a £1,000 deposit contribution and 6.6% APR on a Solutions PCP plus free insurance, plus two years’ servicing at a fixed £149 fee.