To date, more than 20 million units have been sold around the world
Small on the outside. Big on the inside. With this slogan, Volkswagen advertised her new model 50 years ago: Polo. When it was launched on the market in early May 1975, no one expected that the small two -door vehicle would become a best seller. Both in the domestic and international market, for over five decades, in six generations, with many prominent awards, over 20 million sales and always a pioneer in the compact category.
Polo represents affordable mobility. When the first cars began to be sold in the exhibitions, they were part of a new Volkswagen model family that took the streets in the early 1970s. In the spring of 1975, the small car with its characteristic angles appeared as a continuation of Passat (1973) and Golf (1974), as a member of the new, generation of models with water -cooled engines, which succeeded the iconic VW Beetle. Through six generations, Polo has proven that its overall philosophy-based on the ideal combination of price-performance, high practicality, pioneering for the class of small cars and, of course, its attractive design-is still popular to this day, making the model. In addition, for decades, Polo has managed to shape the compact category. Its value has been widely recognized by domestic and international media, with significant distinctions such as “Car of the Year 2010”, “World Car of the Year 2010” and “World Urban Car 2018”.
A pioneer and winner repeatedly. What began in 1975 as a simple two -door vehicle was perfected and expanded to many parameters within five decades and six generations in total – from Hatchback Polo, Coupé version, Sports G40 and GTI, colorful Harlekin, and Estate version, to the notchback of Derby, Crosspolo, Off-road look, efficient Polo Bluemotion and, of course, the extremely dynamic Polo R WRC, which won four World Rally Championships (WRC) in 2013–2016.
Democratizing innovation. Every new generation of Polo has offered more spaces and comfort, more efficient engines and innovative safety systems. With the addition of technologies such as the front and side airbags, the hydraulic steering wheel, the belt pretensioners and the ABS, the Polo continued its successful course with a focus on safety. The next big step came with the adoption of the MQB articulated platform, which set new standards in connectivity, security and driving behavior, making Polo even more digital and innovative. Similarly today, with the small Volkswagen car offers assist and comfort systems that are usually available in larger categories. The model remains particularly popular worldwide and will be upgraded in 2025. A typical example of this is the new Polo GTI, which now provides even more dynamic driving characteristics – thanks to the Electronic Stability System (ESC), which can be disabled, high performance tires and new suspension and steering wheel.
World production and international success. The mass production of Polo I began in March 1975 at Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg. There, until 1981, 1.1 million copies were built. As the model gained more popularity, production was expanded to other locations around the world, such as Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Slovenia, China, Brazil and India. With more than 20 million units built, Polo is one of the most successful small compact vehicles in the world.
Overview of Polo generations:
Polo i
The first Polo was introduced in Geneva in March 1975 and was a simple equipped two -door, technically based on Audi 50, which was offered in parallel by Audi. The Polo, which was originally available with a 40 -hp engine, impressed thanks to its excellent price -performance ratio and high usability. With just 3.50 meters long, it offered spaces for four passengers and their luggage. The original release of Polo was built until 1978, with its renewed version continued until 1981. A total of more than 1.1 million vehicles were built, including the Derby version with notchback body and spacious luggage compartment, which remained in production from 1977 to 1981.
Polo ii
In September 1981, Volkswagen unveiled the second generation of Polo, with a fully redesigned bodywork and a length of 3.66 meters. The Polo with the squared tail was a two -door small station wagon that offered generous spaces. Just a year later, a Fastback Coupé version with stronger petrol engines followed. The Polo Coupé GT40 was launched in 1987 as a limited production model, which was the most powerful version of it, with a performance of 115 hp. The same year the most economical engine of the range: The smallest 45hp diesel appeared. Polo’s second generation remained in production for 13 years, with sales exceeding 2.7 million cars.
Polo iii
The third, fully refurbished Polo generation was followed in 1994 – with a new bodywork, frame and engines. The model was also available in a five -door version for the first time. Increased exterior dimensions have offered improved spaces, while modern security systems, such as airbags, belt pretensions and ABS, were introduced for the first time. In 1995 he made his appearance one of the most special polo in the history of the model: Polo Harlekin. This model had four different exterior colors in a hinged layout. Since 1997, Polo has also been available in a station wagon. In 1998, it premiered a limited edition, the Polo GTI with 125 hp, bringing the three “magic” letters to this model for the first time. A total of 3.5 million units of the third generation Polo were built.
Polo iv
The fourth generation of Polo was introduced in 2001, adopting a new distinctive design with four large lighting fixtures from clear crystal. In relation to its predecessor, it had a longer length and width of 15 and 5 cm respectively, now offering up to 1,030 liters of luggage compartment with the rear seats folded. New engines, including three -cylinder as well as powerful turbocharged for the Polo GTI, provided more power. Security elements such as the front and side airbags, the assisted steering wheel and ABS were now offered to the standard equipment. The Polo GTI (now with 110 kW / 150 hp) made its appearance in 2006, along with CrossPolo, which had a dynamic off-road look, and Polo BlueMotion, with just 99 g / km emissions. In total, 4.1 million Polo of the fourth generation were built.
Polo v
The fifth generation of Polo, which made its world premiere in March 2009, was larger than its predecessor, almost four meters long. Its design was distinguished for the clean lines. Five new engines supported the range of model versions, including Polo Bluemotion, which was unveiled in December 2009 and average only 3.3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. The Polo GTI again gave the range to the range, while for the first time the special Polo R WRC Street model with a 162 kW (220 hp) engine (220 hp) was available. It was the fastest Polo of production of all time, conveying the sense of the World Rally Championship (WRC) on the road. From 2009 to 2017, Volkswagen sold a total of 6.3 million polo polo.
Polo vi
The sixth generation of Polo, presented in 2017, was first based on the MQB platform, gaining numerous optional features from larger vehicles. Among them was the Front Assist with emergency braking in the city and pedestrian detection, the strip warning system with blind spot monitoring and the adapted Cruise Control (ACC). Thanks to the articulated philosophy of the platform, Polo grew up 81mm in length, now offering 351 liters luggage compartment. In 2021, Polo was renewed overall, with a more dynamic body design and new equipment, such as IQ.Light Matrix LED headlamps and assist systems such as IQ.Drive Travel Assist. The internal digitized, offering diagonal screens up to 25 cm diagonal, wireless charging and app-connect. The new Polo GTI was unveiled in the summer of 2021, with a powerful two -liter turbocharged 152 kW (207 hp) turbocharged engine. In 2023, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Polo GTI, it premiered the Special Polo GTI Edition Model with exclusive equipment. To date, more than 2.5 million units of the sixth generation Polo have been built.
Source: Skai
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