
Volkswagen Polo – the end of a half-century-long story
The first half of the 70s became an epochal time for the global auto industry. The main reason for this was the fuel crisis that broke out in 1973. Starting in America, it had a strong "echo" both in all European countries and in states located on other continents.
Its consequences turned the famous muscle cars, considered the calling card of the USA of the previous decade, into dying dinosaurs. On the contrary, the new rules of the game opened wide doors for other varieties, the so-called "folk cars».
The latest generation of Volkswagen Polo. Photo: youtube.com
Balanced designs of miniature models began to appear like mushrooms after rain. They easily conquered the American and European markets. Their popularity became increasingly high, and circulation often amounted to millions.
In such a situation, the German concern Volkswagen decided to make its contribution. Especially since its name itself was translated by the term that I put in quotation marks in the previous paragraph. So compact models were not some kind of novelty for the Germans, but a completely familiar phenomenon. But by the mid-70s, something radically new and as breakthrough as possible was needed.
The company's initial intention to enter the market with a small, entry-level car was successfully realized. The new product was fully consistent with the concern's policy at the time and fit within the required framework:
✅ reasonable price
✅ car with low fuel consumption
✅ affordable operating costs
✅ maintaining a basic level of comfort
Potential consumers could be quite satisfied. After all, they received such a balanced technology. This was especially true for the poor or those wishing to save money city dwellers. They were considered the main target category of customers for whom Volkswagen Polo was designed.
Almost half a century ago, in March 1975, the first example of the plant's new model rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. In most of its indicators and characteristics, it was simply a budget version of the Audi 50. And its advantageous position allowed it to very quickly "undermine" the base model, surpassing it in production volumes.
In addition to the increasingly popular hatchback body, the German concern also took care of conservative customers. A sedan version with the Volkswagen Derby designation appeared for them a little later. There was also a choice of engine volume, though within the same small-capacity spectrum:
✅ 0,9 liters
✅ 1,1 liters
✅ 1,3 liters
After four years of assembly in Wolfsburg, they were finally convinced of the success of their choice. Therefore, in 1979, several important events took place at once. Firstly, it was time for an initial light facelift. Secondly, the car company decided to further promote the model that was gaining popularity. For this purpose, its sports version was created – the Polo GT.
Volkswagen Polo first generation (1975-1981). Photo: youtube.com
Volkswagen Polo entered the new decade with plastic bumpers, modified headlights, a different mask and minor changes in the interior. The creators also tried to radically improve the model from the point of view of its safe operation. This approach allowed to maintain and increase the market position, opening the way for the second generation of the car.
It turned out to be the most tenacious: its history stretched for 13 years. The main changes affected the model's external design. The strongly angular features of the 70s were replaced by softer transitions that better matched the spirit of the new decade.
Many improvements and diversity awaited future customers under the hood of the second-generation car. The thing is that the growing popularity prompted the creators to make their model more universal. This was confirmed by the gradual departure from the initial comprehensive minimalism to greater comfort and increased power indicators and characteristics. This fact was best expressed in the appearance of the GT-G40 Coupe modification. Which was followed by such important moments as:
✅ electronic single/multi-point fuel injection
✅ five-speed gearbox
✅ airbag offer
In this form, the car existed until the end of the 80s. In 1988, an important event from a geographical point of view happened to it - the production of Polo was completely transferred to the territory of Spain. Two years later, the design was subjected to a thorough restyling. Its result was changes in the area of: headlights, bumpers and interior of the cabin. Less than four years remained until the end of production of version No. 2.
The engine line was constantly changing and adding. Photo: youtube.com
The history of the next third generation of Volkswagen Polo lasted until 2001, thus connecting two millennia. This period can be called the peak of the model's glory, because No. 3 is often called the most common type among all the numerous versions of the small car.
There was already an ABS system and a wide range of body types on offer. This list included both 3/5-door hatchbacks or a 4-door sedan, as well as a 5-door Variant station wagon (6KV). The choice of power units became as variable as possible. Here are just a few of them, using gasoline as fuel:
✅ 1 l/50 hp
✅ 1,3 l/55 hp
✅ 1,4 l/60 hp
✅ 1,6 l/75 hp
The two diesel units had a noticeably larger capacity: 1.9 D/64 hp and 1.9 SDi of the same power, but with a compression ratio reduced to 19,5:1. In the middle of the generation's development (1997), a small cosmetic facelift took place.
The fourth generation took up almost the entire period of the "noughties". At that time, the car was called Polo 9N. More intense competition in the lower class prompted manufacturers to further expand the model line, offering modifications with significantly different levels of equipment and characteristics.
This number included both the basic version and a fully equipped one, approaching the middle class in its data. Three-cylinder novelties with a working volume of 1,2 liters also appeared. All versions with a sedan body were offered exclusively for the Latin American market.
Modern dashboard. Photo: youtube.com
After the 2004 upgrade, the car received a new designation – Polo 9N3, which existed until the end of the history of model No. 4. A sports version of the GTI with a turbocharged 1,8-liter engine was also offered here. Starting in 2009, the fifth generation of the popular car entered the picture.
Already the following year, it became the winner of the poll "European Car of 2010". The popular family minivan and convertible were added to the already existing body versions. In the future, Polo retained its demand, especially in South America.
According to available data for last year, this model set a record for deliveries to Brazil - more than 110 thousand units. Such a long and dynamic development allowed Polo to become one of the most popular cars in its class. The total circulation for almost 50 years exceeded 20 million units.
If we talk specifically about the Spanish capacities in Pamplona, then over 40 years more than 8,4 million units of Polo of various modifications were born here. This allowed the model to confidently enter the top ten best-selling cars on the European continent.
A roomy luggage compartment has always been considered a pleasant bonus. Photo: youtube.com
Over 7 thousand cars have been sold in the first 90 months of this year. Despite this, the German concern Volkswagen intends to draw a line under the half-century history of the model. They hope to replace it with affordable versions on the conveyor electric vehicles. From 2026, they will be two small crossovers running on a popular alternative fuel source today.
Its consequences turned the famous muscle cars, considered the calling card of the USA of the previous decade, into dying dinosaurs. On the contrary, the new rules of the game opened wide doors for other varieties, the so-called "folk cars».

Balanced designs of miniature models began to appear like mushrooms after rain. They easily conquered the American and European markets. Their popularity became increasingly high, and circulation often amounted to millions.
The Germans did not stand aside
In such a situation, the German concern Volkswagen decided to make its contribution. Especially since its name itself was translated by the term that I put in quotation marks in the previous paragraph. So compact models were not some kind of novelty for the Germans, but a completely familiar phenomenon. But by the mid-70s, something radically new and as breakthrough as possible was needed.
The Volkswagen Polo, designed exactly half a century ago, was the best choice for this role. Serial production of the first generation of this car started in 1975.
The company's initial intention to enter the market with a small, entry-level car was successfully realized. The new product was fully consistent with the concern's policy at the time and fit within the required framework:
✅ reasonable price
✅ car with low fuel consumption
✅ affordable operating costs
✅ maintaining a basic level of comfort
Potential consumers could be quite satisfied. After all, they received such a balanced technology. This was especially true for the poor or those wishing to save money city dwellers. They were considered the main target category of customers for whom Volkswagen Polo was designed.
First generation – six years on the factory conveyor
Almost half a century ago, in March 1975, the first example of the plant's new model rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. In most of its indicators and characteristics, it was simply a budget version of the Audi 50. And its advantageous position allowed it to very quickly "undermine" the base model, surpassing it in production volumes.
In addition to the increasingly popular hatchback body, the German concern also took care of conservative customers. A sedan version with the Volkswagen Derby designation appeared for them a little later. There was also a choice of engine volume, though within the same small-capacity spectrum:
✅ 0,9 liters
✅ 1,1 liters
✅ 1,3 liters
After four years of assembly in Wolfsburg, they were finally convinced of the success of their choice. Therefore, in 1979, several important events took place at once. Firstly, it was time for an initial light facelift. Secondly, the car company decided to further promote the model that was gaining popularity. For this purpose, its sports version was created – the Polo GT.

Volkswagen Polo entered the new decade with plastic bumpers, modified headlights, a different mask and minor changes in the interior. The creators also tried to radically improve the model from the point of view of its safe operation. This approach allowed to maintain and increase the market position, opening the way for the second generation of the car.
Development of the line until the beginning of the 21st century
It turned out to be the most tenacious: its history stretched for 13 years. The main changes affected the model's external design. The strongly angular features of the 70s were replaced by softer transitions that better matched the spirit of the new decade.
Many improvements and diversity awaited future customers under the hood of the second-generation car. The thing is that the growing popularity prompted the creators to make their model more universal. This was confirmed by the gradual departure from the initial comprehensive minimalism to greater comfort and increased power indicators and characteristics. This fact was best expressed in the appearance of the GT-G40 Coupe modification. Which was followed by such important moments as:
✅ electronic single/multi-point fuel injection
✅ five-speed gearbox
✅ airbag offer
In this form, the car existed until the end of the 80s. In 1988, an important event from a geographical point of view happened to it - the production of Polo was completely transferred to the territory of Spain. Two years later, the design was subjected to a thorough restyling. Its result was changes in the area of: headlights, bumpers and interior of the cabin. Less than four years remained until the end of production of version No. 2.

The history of the next third generation of Volkswagen Polo lasted until 2001, thus connecting two millennia. This period can be called the peak of the model's glory, because No. 3 is often called the most common type among all the numerous versions of the small car.
There was already an ABS system and a wide range of body types on offer. This list included both 3/5-door hatchbacks or a 4-door sedan, as well as a 5-door Variant station wagon (6KV). The choice of power units became as variable as possible. Here are just a few of them, using gasoline as fuel:
✅ 1 l/50 hp
✅ 1,3 l/55 hp
✅ 1,4 l/60 hp
✅ 1,6 l/75 hp
The two diesel units had a noticeably larger capacity: 1.9 D/64 hp and 1.9 SDi of the same power, but with a compression ratio reduced to 19,5:1. In the middle of the generation's development (1997), a small cosmetic facelift took place.
Development of the model in our millennium
The fourth generation took up almost the entire period of the "noughties". At that time, the car was called Polo 9N. More intense competition in the lower class prompted manufacturers to further expand the model line, offering modifications with significantly different levels of equipment and characteristics.
This number included both the basic version and a fully equipped one, approaching the middle class in its data. Three-cylinder novelties with a working volume of 1,2 liters also appeared. All versions with a sedan body were offered exclusively for the Latin American market.

After the 2004 upgrade, the car received a new designation – Polo 9N3, which existed until the end of the history of model No. 4. A sports version of the GTI with a turbocharged 1,8-liter engine was also offered here. Starting in 2009, the fifth generation of the popular car entered the picture.
Already the following year, it became the winner of the poll "European Car of 2010". The popular family minivan and convertible were added to the already existing body versions. In the future, Polo retained its demand, especially in South America.
Life on the conveyor belt has come to an end
According to available data for last year, this model set a record for deliveries to Brazil - more than 110 thousand units. Such a long and dynamic development allowed Polo to become one of the most popular cars in its class. The total circulation for almost 50 years exceeded 20 million units.
If we talk specifically about the Spanish capacities in Pamplona, then over 40 years more than 8,4 million units of Polo of various modifications were born here. This allowed the model to confidently enter the top ten best-selling cars on the European continent.

Over 7 thousand cars have been sold in the first 90 months of this year. Despite this, the German concern Volkswagen intends to draw a line under the half-century history of the model. They hope to replace it with affordable versions on the conveyor electric vehicles. From 2026, they will be two small crossovers running on a popular alternative fuel source today.
- Ivan Goncharov
- youtube.com
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