New Volkswagen Polo Vivo driven
The departure of the revered/despised/loved (take your pick) Citi Golf has left a huge hole in the entry level segment, a hole that Volkswagen South Africa has now plugged with the introduction of the Polo Vivo.
It’s a uniquely Volkswagen South Africa solution, the same way the Citi Golf was 25 years ago. Take a previous generation car, in this case the old Polo, on which all the bugs had been ironed out. Redesign the exterior, spruce up the interior and use your respected brand name, extensive dealer network and low cost of parts to ensure good residuals.It sounds like a recipe for success. We drove the 1.4 litre Vivo at launch in the Eastern Cape and our early prediction is that this car is going to sell well. The design is modern VW, a lot like the new Polo in fact, but just a lot cheaper. In fact, it’s a lot cheaper than the previous generation Polo on which it’s based.
The first question that comes to mind is how the hell are VW selling a brand new Polo Vivo for less than they were selling the old Polo. Vivo pricing for the hatch starts at R101500 for a two-door 55kW 1.4 litre without aircon, radio/CD or ABS and tops out at R144900 for a 77kW 1.6 litre Trendline (with radio/CD and ABS). The sedan starts at R115800 with the top-of-the range Trendline costing R150800.VW says the reason for this fancy pricing footwork is that 70% of all the Vivo parts are now manufactured locally, which means parts are cheaper and more easily available than what the case was with the old Polo. Some exterior and interior cost cutting is visible to the naked eye, but the overall impression remains one of solid build quality. All cars are fitted with power steering and dual airbags upfront. We would have liked to see ABS standard across the range. Instead it’s a R2000 option on the cheapest models.
Unlike the Citi Golf 25 years ago, the Vivo won’t have the entry level segment to itself. Possibly its biggest competitor, the Indian built Ford Figo, built on the previous generation Fiesta, launches in South Africa in July. Expect pricing to be super competitive and the car better specced than the VW. Add in the Renault Sandero, Hyundai i20, Suzuki Alto and Indian and Chinese entrants and you have a segment that’s going to be red hot this year.We’re in the process of doing an in-depth evaluation of the Vivo, which you’ll be able to read more of in our May issue of Topcar, plus you’ll be able to see how it stacks up against the Ford Figo, which we’ve just driven in India. The May issue goes on sale on 19thApril 2010.03.10The Polo Vivo Hatch will be available in two trim levels, Base and Trendline.Standard equipment and optional features:
1.4 55 kW 2-Door
Interior
- Dashboard in soft touch “slush” technology
- 3-spoke steering wheel
- Plastic gearshift knob/handle with leatherette gearshift boot
- Cup holders in centre console (1 in the front and 2 in the rear)
- Centre console with open compartment and 12V power socket
- Honeycomb trim
Functional Equipment
- Exterior mirrors, manually adjustable from inside
- Manual windows front and rear
- Heater and fresh air system with 4 speed and position control
- Powersteering
- Rake and reach adjustable steering column
- Fuel filler flap with PushPush-Function
- Steel spare wheel with original equipment tyres
- Tinted windows
Exterior
- 5 J x 14 inch steel wheels with 175/65 R14 tyres and centre cap wheel covers
- 2-Door body style
- Exterior side mirrors black grained
- Painted bumpers in body colour, front and rear
Safety and Security
- Airbag for driver and front passenger
- 2 Head restraints front (height adjustable)
- 2 Head restraints rear
- Rear window – heated
- High level third brake light
- Dipping breakaway interior mirror
- Reverse light
- Warning triangle
- Immobiliser
- Full size steel spare wheel
Options
- Air conditioner
- Radio/MP3/SD/USB with 4 speakers
- Radio/CD/MP3/SD/USB/Bluetooth streaming with 4 speakers
- Alarm/ Remote Central Locking
1.4 55 kW 4-Door
Same as 2-Door plus:
Exterior
- 4-door body style
- 14 inch steel wheel with full wheel covers; 175/70 R14 tyres
- Rear wiper
- Bee-sting aerial
Options
- Air conditioner
- Radio/MP3/SD/USB with 4 speakers
- Radio/CD/MP3/SD/USB/Bluetooth streaming with 4 speakers
- Alarm/ Remote Central Locking
- Metallic paint
- 14 inch ‘Porto’ Alloy Wheels
- ABS
1.4 63 kW Trendline
Same as 1.4 55 kW 4-Door plus:
Interior
- Galaxy trim
Exterior
- 1.4 badge at rear
- Body coloured bumpers
- ABS
Options
- Air conditioner
- Radio/MP3/SD/USB with 4 speakers
- Radio/CD/MP3/SD/USB/Bluetooth streaming with 4 speakers
- Alarm/ Remote Central Locking
- Metallic paint
- 14 inch ‘Porto’ Alloy Wheels
1.6 77 kW
Same as 1.4 55 kW 4-Door plus:
Interior
- Alarm/Remote Central Locking
Exterior
- 1.6 badge at rear
- ABS
Options
- Air conditioner
- Radio/MP3/SD/USB with 4 speakers
- Radio/CD/MP3/SD/USB/Bluetooth streaming with 4 speakers
- Metallic paint
- 14 inch ‘Porto’ Alloy Wheels
1.6 77 kW Trendline
Same as 1.6 77 kW plus:
Interior
- Galaxy trim
- Radio/MP3/SD/USB with 4 speakers
- Front electric windows
Exterior
• 14 inch ‘Porto’ Alloy Wheels; 185/60 R 14 tyres
Options
- Air conditioner
- Radio/CD/MP3/SD/USB/Bluetooth streaming with 4 speakers
- Metallic paint
Prices (VAT Included) for the hatch are:
1.4 55 kW 2-Door R101 500
1.4 55 kW R109 900
1.4 63 kW Trendline R119 900
1.6 77 kW R136 900
1.6 77 kW Trendline R144900
Prices(VAT Included) for the sedan are:
1.4 55 kW R115 800
1.4 63 kW Trendline R125 800
1.6 77 kW R142 800
1.6 77 kW Trendline R150800
Colours
Polo Vivo will be available in six colours.
- Candy White
- Deep Black
- Reflex Silver
- Silver Leaf
- Sunrise Red
- Sea Blue
The Volkswagen Polo Vivo comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 6 year Anti Corrosion warranty. A 5 year/ 60 000km Volkswagen Automotion Maintenance Plan as well as a 5 year/ 60 000 km Service Plan are available as options. The service interval is 15 000 km.
