VW Polo Vivo 1,4 Comfortline

Based on a formula that VWSA knows well, the new Polo Vivo harnesses all that is good about the outgoing Polo

BACK in 2010, with the ink barely dry on the venerable Mk1 Golf-derived Citi Golf’s farewell card, VWSA’S announcement that it would carry out a similar repositioning exercise with the outgoing fourth-generation Polo range kept that spirit of the much-loved Citi alive.

It also meant VW could continue its dominating presence in this key entry-level segment and it could do so with tooling that had been – like the Citi Golf’s – long since paid off at its Uitenhage facility.

One immediate advantage this new Vivo enjoyed over its Golf Mk1- based forebearer was that it was built on a relatively modern platform that, unlike the red, yellow and blue cars, offered both contemporary fit and finishes, as well as up-to-date safety features. That it was also based on a model that topped local monthly passenger car sales charts through- out its lifecycle (and boasted 70% locally sourced materials) all but guaranteed its success.

Eight years on and with more than 230 000 sales recorded, the introduction of the locally built sixth-generation Polo (tested in the February issue) conveniently creates yet another opportunity for VWSA to supplement sales of the new car with a repackaged, more affordable version of the hugely popular outgoing model.

It’s rare that we drive a firstof-its-type test unit round town without so much as a second glance from fellow road users, but complete with its somewhat uninspired white colour scheme and brand-familiar (optional) 15-inch alloy wheels, the Vivo managed to blend into everyday traffic. Perhaps VW will add a