Unveiled back in June last year and set to once again be made at Volkswagen's Uitenhage Plant for both South African and export markets, the Polo becomes the latest model to move to the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, designated A0, and comes in at 81 mm longer (4 053 mm) in overall length, 69 mm wider (1 751 mm) and seven millimetres (1 446 mm) lower than its predecessor.

As well as a wheelbase of 2 564 mm, up by 94 mm, Volkswagen also claims a 71-litre gain in boot space from 280-litres to 351-litres and a more spacious cabin. Speaking of the interior, the Polo now adopts the same layout as the Golf and although fitted with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display as standard, can be speificied with a bigger eight-inch setup as well as the new 11.7-inch Active Info Display.

Depending on the trim level, the Polo mirrors its European sibling in the safety department with new tech consisting of Post Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Driver Alert and Park Assist.

Model-wise, the Polo retains the familiar Trendline, Comfortline and Highline designations with the sole engine being a 1.0-litre TSI developing 70 kW and 175 Nm of torque, or in the case of the latter, 85 kW and 200 Nm. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard on the lesser models with the Highline sporting a six-speed 'box, while a seven-speed DSG can be had on the Comfortline and Highline.

Also available at launch, the Beats adds a 300-watt sound system developed by Beats Audio, while an aesthetically enhanced R-Line has been confirmed for the second quarter.

At the same time, the highly awaited new GTI will make its local debut with power coming from a 2.0-litre TSI making 147 kW and 320 Nm. Like its sibling, the GTI will also be made locally and have the option of a six-speed manual or initially, a six-speed DSG.

A three year / 120 000 km warranty and three year / 45 000 km service plan are standard on all models.

PRICING