Volkswagen Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Polo In India

German car manufacturer Volkswagen has recently notified about its most successful product, the Polo hatchback, consummating a flourishing decade on the production line, in India. The Volkswagen Polo hatchback made its public appearance in the country at the 2010 Auto Expo in Delhi but entered the production line in the year 2009. In the initial days, the car was sold with a set of two 1.2L petrol and diesel mills, with the introduction of 1.6L petrol and diesel engines at the later stage in 2010.

Volkswagen celebrates 10 years of Polo in India.

The Polo served as an entry-level product for the German marque and till date remains the most sold car with the Volkswagen badge in India. Till date, the Indian car market has seen a various iteration of the Polo with several cosmetic and mechanical upgrades. The most vital of all was the introduction of GT TSI and TDI badge to cater to the hot-hatch segment in India. The GT TSI and TDI marked their arrival with tighter suspension, with the inclusion of 105PS 1.2L petrol unit coupled to 7-speed DSG gearbox and 108PS 1.5L diesel motor paired to a 5-speed manual transmission in the GT TSI and TDI respectively. The Polo was also offered in a rugged avatar, titled as Cross Polo.

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In these 10 Years, the Polo remained largely unchanged keeping aside the cosmetics and engine upgrades introduced to it. Recently, the hatchback is been plonked in with a 1.0L naturally aspirated engine replacing the 1.2L petrol unit. The Polo also gave the Indian enthusiast a taste of what an actual hot hatch feels like, with the launch of Polo GTi. The Polo looked similar in terms of overall looks to the regular Polo, but with 2-doors lesser on its side, and with a 192hp 1.8L TSI mill which came mated to the Volkswagen’s globally renowned DSG box.

The three-door Polo GTI was the most shredded form of the Polo introduced in the market, it produced 192hp from a 1.8L TSI powerplant.

Speaking on this milestone celebration, Mr. Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said, “Today, marks a milestone in our India journey with the Volkswagen Polo completing a decade long presence in this region. World over, the Polo has been the most loved carline with over 14 million units being sold. We’re glad Polo in India is significantly contributing and has quickly become the best-selling carline in our portfolio. Till date, the Polo receives 45 percent of first-time buyers with a strong preference towards the GT TSI variant, which comes with our globally renowned DSG gearbox. Further, it gives me immense pleasure to inform that nearly 31 percent of women prefer buying a Volkswagen Polo over the others in this segment. Owing to its durability, build quality, safety, and fun-to-drive experience.”

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The different generation of Polo on display; Polo Mk II, Cross Polo, Polo GT, Polo GTI (From left to right).

With the flourishing accomplishment of Polo’s 10 years in the Indian market, we believe it is the car’s timeless design that is to be applauded. But, with the age comes the monotony and to break the manufacturer should now plan on introducing the newer generation of the Polo, that is on sale in the international market and revive the Polo’s image again as one refined, safe, and fun to drive car.

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