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VWSA UPDATES THE POLO VIVO WITH NEW STYLE, NEW ENGINES AND MORE TECH.

Published: 2024-08-22 18:50:16 Last Updated: 2024-08-22 18:59:35

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been a firm favourite in SA for 14 years now, and in that time it has amassed more than 425,000 sales. The Vivo took up the space left in the market when the beloved Golf 1 was retired. It was a more budget-friendly version of the regular Polo range taking up the entry-level position in the Volkswagen product line. The locally produced Vivo has just received an update that sees changes to the exterior, interior, infotainment system and engine lineup. There’s also a new naming convention for the lineup. These changes are much-needed to add to the car’s appeal, especially if the Vivo is going to compete with the legions of new budget cars hitting the market in recent years. The upgrade blends modern tech with classic Volkswagen reliability. Inside, the Vivo, Life, Style, and GT models now sport fresh interior trims, headlined by a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system complete with App-Connect. The seats have been reimagined with new materials and designs, adding a dash of flair while front-side airbags (standard on the Style and GT) bolster safety credentials. On the outside, the GT flexes its muscle with black painted mirror caps, adding a sleek, sophisticated edge. Fresh 15 and 16-inch wheels (standard on the Life and Style) not only amp up the aesthetics but also boost the driving dynamics. Life models and up now shine brighter thanks to new headlights that offer enhanced illumination and a more modern look. The exterior sees a subtle yet sharp makeover with a 2D Volkswagen emblem, reworked bumper skin, and chrome-accented grilles. Integrated fog and cornering lights, alongside daytime running lights, are standard fare, with an optional rearview camera adding an extra layer of convenience and safety. From the side, the new alloy wheels help denote the model variant, the Vivo rolls on standard 14-inch steel wheels, with an optional 15-inch Tosa alloy upgrade. The Life models come equipped with 15-inch ‘Ubomi’ alloys, while the Style model steps it up with 16-inch ‘Portago’ alloys. Topping the range, the GT commands attention with its standard 17-inch ‘Mirabeau’ alloy wheels. Volkswagen has also upped the ante on safety and every Polo Vivo now comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), hill start control, and remote central locking as standard, ensuring that peace of mind is part of the package. Finally, the colour palette adds the finishing touch, offering something for every taste. Choose from the solid hues of Ascot Grey and Pure White, or opt for metallic finishes like Reflex Silver, Reef Blue, Smokey Grey, and the striking Wild Cherry Red.

The new Polo Vivo model range is offered with 1.4 and 1.6 MPI four-cylinder and three-cylinder 1.0 TSI petrol engines available with 5-speed manual transmissions as standard. The Tiptronic is available with the 77 kW 1.6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, while the top-of-the-range GT comes with the 1.0TSI 81 kW engine and 6-speed manual transmission. The entry model uses a 1.4-litre with a 55kW and 130 Nm. The next up the ladder is the 1.4 MPI 63 kW engine with 132 Nm of torque and this is found in the Life derivative. The 1.6-litre engine is rated at 77 kW with 153 Nm of torque and it gets the 6-speed manual or the 6-speed Tiptronic transmission and will be found in the new Life derivative for the auto and Style for the manual. Oddly, the range-topping GT that’s called the “sporty” one has a turbocharged 1.0 litre rated at 81 kW with 200 Nm of torque and it can get to just shy of 200 km/h. Pricing is what counts though, and while the VW-loving internet is up in arms about it, it’s really not that bad for what you’re getting. The base 1.4i Vivo comes in at R266,600, the 1.4i Life lists at R288,500, the 1.6i Life Tiptronic is R320,200 and the manual Style is R318,000. The range-topping GT with the 1.0 TSI lump will set you back R356,000. The updated Polo Vivo range comes standard with a 3-year / 120 000 km warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15,000 km. 5-year / 150,000 km engine warranty. We’re expecting these to carry on selling as well as they do, but it will be hard to convince someone to pay over R350,000 on a new Vivo when you can get a great low mileage and a much better-appointed Polo from Mastercars.

Take a look at the YouTube video from SwitchOff SA as they take us through the updated Polo Vivo range at the recent local media launch: New 2024 Volkswagen Polo Vivo Media Launch: No Price Change, New Features & Changes | SwitchOff South Africa

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Article Tags: Cars SXdrv Update Vivo Polo Vivo Polo Volkswagen VW Volkswagen SA VWSA