The Polo holds a prominent place in Volkswagen's history, a car that has contributed over 50 years to the mobility of European drivers. Introduced in 1975, more than 20 million units have been sold across its six generations, always surrounded by a strong aura of quality and reliability. To kick off its anniversary year, Volkswagen's Classic department will showcase the first models of the iconic car at the Classic Car Show in Bremen, from January 31st to February 2nd.
Origin
After the disappearance of the iconic Beetle, Volkswagen entered a new era of change, of transformation. Thus, when the Beetle had to be replaced in the 1970s, Volkswagen had several models in preparation: the Passat hit the market in 1973, followed a year later by the Golf, and the Polo made its debut in 1975.
The second generation of the Polo (1981-1994) featured a much more modern design
The novelty, and a revolution in automotive terms, is that no previous vehicle had been so short and compact, while still maintaining quality standards. Positioned below the Golf, the Polo perfectly completed the new family of front-wheel-drive models. 50 years later and in its sixth generation, the Polo has proven that a small car can excel in terms of safety and the empathy it generates.
It was introduced as a more austere version of the Audi 50 and quickly became a commercial success
The first Polo was based on the Audi 50, which was only 3.49 meters long, although with a simpler design to reach a wider audience. With slight modifications, it began to be mass-produced in Wolfsburg and quickly became a breath of fresh air in the small car segment. With its functional design, it captured the spirit of the time. Practical and affordable, it was also known for its agility and economical engines of 34, 40, 50, and 60 HP, and a weight of 685 kg.
The third generation of the popular Polo, from 1994 to 2001, included airbags
Iconic symbol of mobility in our society, it has appeared in numerous movies, TV shows, and video games: Knight Rider, Charlie's Angels, or Miami Vice.
Six generations
With the arrival of each generation, the Polo has been evolving. Starting in 1981, the Polo II introduced a series of improvements (more space and comfort), as well as modernized engines. In 1987, the limited special edition series of the Polo Coupé GT G40 brought the debut of the compressor as a supercharging system. In the third generation, starting in 1994, another significant leap occurred, also in terms of technology. The Polo III was one of the first vehicles in its class with innovative safety devices such as airbags.
The fourth generation, from 2001 to 2009, had a GTI version with 150 HP
In 1998, the Polo was first available as a GTI. With a significant increase in size, the fourth generation offered a new level of comfort and safety from 2002, with front and side airbags, power steering, and ABS as standard. The Polo V witnessed the introduction of a multitude of digital innovations. And from 2009, infotainment and assistance systems made driving much more comfortable and safe.
WRC stands for World Rally Championship
Furthermore, the fifth generation marked an era in sports car racing with the Polo R WRC and four consecutive World Rally Championship titles starting in 2013.
With the Polo V (2009), the efficient BlueMotion versions with low fuel consumption are introduced
The sixth generation was based on the modular platform (MQB) and set new standards in 2017 in terms of connectivity, safety, and driving dynamics. The Polo became even more digital and innovative with the 2021 update. The compact model currently features assistance and comfort systems typically found in higher segments.
The sixth generation, the current one, was released in 2017 and features engines ranging from 95 to 207 HP (GTI)