50 YEARS OF THE VOLKSWAGEN POLO: SMALL CAR, BIG LEGACY, MASSIVE POPULARITY
“Small on the outside. Big on the inside.” That was the bold promise Volkswagen made 50 years ago when it launched a compact newcomer into the world - the Polo. In May 1975, few could have predicted that this unassuming 2-door hatch would evolve into a global success story. But half a century later, with more than 20 million units sold, six generations under its belt, and countless accolades, the Polo stands tall as a true pioneer in the compact car segment. From the very beginning, the Polo represented affordable, entry-level mobility done right. It joined the ranks of VW’s new generation of water-cooled models - following the Passat in 1973 and the now-iconic Golf in 1974 - and quickly carved out a loyal following. With its smart packaging, efficient use of space, accessible pricing, and progressive technology, the Polo proved that small doesn’t have to mean compromise. Decade after decade, it redefined what a compact car could be - practical, stylish, and full of character. What started in 1975 as a no-frills two-door hatch matured into a diverse and daring lineup. It wore many faces over the years: the agile coupé, the punchy G40, the fire-breathing GTI, the colourful Harlequin, the versatile estate, the quirky Derby notchback, the rugged CrossPolo, the eco-conscious BlueMotion, and the all-conquering Polo R WRC, which dominated the World Rally Championship with four consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016. Each new generation brought with it leaps in refinement, safety, and performance. The Polo introduced features like front and side airbags, power steering, belt tensioners, and ABS to the small car world – innovations once reserved for higher segments. The transition to the modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform marked another leap forward, unlocking new levels of connectivity, comfort and driving dynamics. Today’s Polo continues to push the envelope, offering assistance and convenience systems typically found in luxury cars. Case in point: the latest Polo GTI, sharpened for 2025 with switchable ESC, sticky performance tyres, and a reworked suspension and steering setup for even more driving thrills. The Polo’s roots lie in Wolfsburg, where production of the first generation began in March 1975. Over the years, as demand skyrocketed, production expanded to Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Slovenia, China, Brazil and India. That global reach helped cement the Polo’s status as one of the most successful compact cars on the planet - a small car with a world-sized footprint.
Polo I – The first Polo, presented in Geneva in March 1975, was a simply equipped two-door model compared with the Audi 50, on which the new Volkswagen was technically based, and which was offered in parallel by Audi. The Polo, initially available with a 29 kW engine, impressed with an outstanding price-performance ratio and high utility value. With a length of 3.50 metres, it offered space for four people plus luggage. The original version of the Polo was produced until 1978, and the updated version until 1981. More than 1.1 million vehicles were produced, including the Derby notchback version with a spacious load compartment, built from 1977 to 1981.
Polo II – In September 1981, Volkswagen presented the second generation of the Polo with a completely redesigned body that grew to 3.66 metres. This squareback Polo model was a two-door small estate with generous space. Only one year later, a fastback coupé with more powerful petrol engines followed. The Polo Coupé GT40 was launched as a limited-edition model in 1987, the most powerful variant to date with 85 kW. As an economical variant, the smallest diesel engine with an output of 33 kW also made its debut in the Polo in 1987. The Polo II was produced for a total of 13 years, with more than 2.7 million units sold.
Polo III - The third completely revamped generation followed in 1994, with a new body, chassis and engines. This was also available as a five-door model for the first time. The increased exterior dimensions ensured improved space, and modern safety systems such as airbags, belt tensioners and ABS were introduced. In 1995, one of the most curious Polo models was launched: the Polo Harlequin, whose four colours could be combined in a modular design. From 1997, the Polo was available as an estate. A limited special series made its debut in 1998: the Polo GTI with 92 kW, which now also featured the three magical letters for the first time. A total of 3.5 million Polo III models were produced.
Polo IV – The fourth-generation Polo, introduced in 2001, had a new design with four large clear-glass headlights and was 15 centimetres longer and 5 centimetres wider than its predecessor. It now offered a luggage compartment volume of 1,030 litres with the rear seats folded down. New engines, including three-cylinder engines and powerful turbocharged engines in the Polo GTI, provided more power. Safety features such as front and side airbags, power steering and ABS were on board as standard. The Polo GTI (now with 110 kW) followed in 2006, along with the CrossPolo in a robust off-road look and the Polo BlueMotion. A total of 4.1 million fourth-generation models left the factory gates.
Polo V – The fifth-generation Polo, which celebrated its world premiere in March 2009, was longer than its predecessor with a length of almost four metres. The design was characterised by clean lines. Five new engines complemented the model range, including the Polo BlueMotion, which was introduced in December 2009 and consumed only 3.3 litres of diesel on average for 100 kilometres. The sporty Polo GTI was part of the model range again, and the Polo R WRC Street special model with its 162 kW TSI engine was available to order for the first time. The fastest production Polo to date brought the motorsport feeling of the World Rally Championship (WRC) to the road. Volkswagen sold a total of 6.3 million Polo V cars between 2009 and 2017.
Polo VI – The sixth-generation Polo, introduced in 2017, was based for the first time on the MQB platform, giving it numerous optional features from higher vehicle classes. These included Automatic Emergency Braking with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, lane change system with blind spot monitor and Adaptive Cruise Control. Thanks to the modular concept, the Polo grew in length by 81 mm and now offered a luggage compartment volume of 351 litres. In 2021, the Polo was comprehensively revamped with a sharpened body design and new optional features such as IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights and assist systems, such as IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist. The cockpit was digitalised and offered displays with screen diagonals of up to 25 centimetres as well as numerous digital features such as wireless charging and App-Connect. The new Polo GTI followed in summer 2021 with a powerful two-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an output of 152 kW. In 2023, the limited-edition special model Polo GTI Edition 25 made its debut with exclusive equipment to mark the 25th anniversary of the Polo GTI. Volkswagen has produced more than 2.5 million units of the Polo VI to date.
Take a look at the YouTube video that's related with a load of local flavour as VWSA takes a brief look at the heritage of the Volkswagen Polo as seen from a local prospective - Polo is a way of life here in SA, and its also where the Polo has a long manufacturing history: Volkswagen | Heritage of the Polo | Volkswagen South Africa
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