Speculation as to how Volkswagen would fill the gap left by the CitiGolf’s drawn out departure was finally put to bed last week in Uitenhage.
However, the “new” entry-level Volksie left us with many more questions than it did answers. Plainly put, the “spiritual successor” of the CitiGolf, the Polo Vivo, is nothing more than the old Polo, nipped and tucked. It has a slightly different face, the new Polo’s steering wheel and no door mouldings. Of more relevance, it now has a starting price point of R101 500.
This is more expensive than the Citi but, in its defence, the Vivo wasn’t designed in the 70s and could, says VW, enjoy a lower cost of ownership due to its better residual values and drastically lower insurance premiums.
Understandable, but what I don’t get is how VWSA arrived at the R144 900 starting price it asked a few months ago for the last Polo, which is very similar to the Vivo. And I also wonder what effect this new pricing strategy will have on resale values for those suckers who bought the old Polo/Polo Classic weeks before the new one arrived. Eish! Anyway, there are five hatch and four sedan models, both available in half-a-dozen hues. The entry-level hatch is a two-door model, while the rest are equipped with twice as many doors.
They all sport 16-valve petrol engines and five-speed manual gearboxes (expect an automatic derivative next year) and are front-wheel driven (wheels measure 14-inch in diameter across the range).
Unlike the Citi it replaces, Vivo comes with two airbags as standard across the range. ABS-fettled brakes are unavailable (even as options) on the entry level derivatives of both hatch and sedan, but are standard on all 1.6 models, as well as all Trendline’s. Most disconcertingly though, air-conditioning is a R9 400-odd cost option on every single derivative!
Despite this not-inconsiderable snag, VW is aiming for a 12.4% share of the R100 000 plus, entry-level market and is relying on its expansive dealer network (105 dealers countrywide), and the strength of the Polo brand to achieve it.
The fact that the Vivo is a fairly large vehicle - with a big boot in comparison to other cars at this price level - also helps. I have no doubt VW will meet these targets, as history is firmly on the Polo’s side - no matter the name or prefix.
Fact is, the Polo has always been a good seller locally and the new one is already far exceeding domestic sales expectations. The trend looks set to continue with the Vivo, even if it’s not strictly new or terribly exciting.
