After being on sale for over a decade, the Volkswagen Polo premium hatchback has been pulled off the shelves. The fifth-generation global model went on sale in our country in 2010 and has received a couple of minor cosmetics, tech, and mechanical updates in its 12 years-long journey. Recently, the brand also introduced its Legend Edition as a celebratory farewell to the hot hatch.
Why did Volkswagen discontinue the Polo? Well, there are two reasons. Firstly, the premium hatch didn’t receive any generational update in its decade-long journey, making it uninteresting for new customers. Secondly, the brand has shifted its focus to SUVs for the Indian market. However, a new-gen Polo is likely to hit our shores sometime in 2023 that could be based on the already localized MQB-A0 platform. Meanwhile, Volkswagen will launch the Virtus mid-size sedan in May 2022, which will be the brand’s new entry-level offering.
The sixth-generation VW Polo has been available in global markets since 2018.
In its last guise, the Volkswagen Polo was available in four variants (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline Plus, and GT), priced from Rs 6.45 lakh to Rs 10.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Under the hood, Volkswagen offered the Polo with two BS6 petrol engines. While the 1.0-liter MPI petrol produced 76PS/95Nm, the 1.0-liter TSI was rated at 110PS and 175Nm. Both the engines were mated to a manual transmission as standard, while the latter was also available with an optional 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
In terms of features, the hatchback with equipped with features such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car tech, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, auto AC, rear AC vents, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and much more.
As the VW Polo was a premium hatchback, it competed against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Hyundai i10, and Honda Jazz in the Indian market.
