- Volkswagen is replacing the Citi Golf with the new Polo Vivo.
- It's basically a cheaper version of the previous-generation Polo.
- The Polo Vivo is a direct rival of Renault's popular Sandero.
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — South Africa is getting ready for a gunfight at the budget-car corral. The iconic Mk I Golf (marketed here as the Citi Golf for the past 25 years) recently rode into the sunset, and now Volkswagen has launched its replacement, the Polo Vivo. It's the brand's new entry-level car in a highly competitive segment.
Just a month after the local unveiling of the new-generation Polo, the Vivo has been launched in South Africa in a range comprising five hatchbacks and four sedans. VWSA says the car was created with the aim of providing "affordable and accessible mobility" to the South Africa market.
It's essentially a face-lifted previous-generation Polo with slashed prices. Not as slashed as its budget-conscious clientele might have hoped; the days of sub R100,000 ($13,500) VWs died with the Citi Golf, and Polo Vivo prices range from the equivalent of $13,500-$20,000. However, the car is worlds ahead of its cheap and cheerful predecessor in space, refinement and safety.
The Vivo is clearly recognizable as an old Polo but has revamped front and rear styling to conform to VW's modern corporate face.
The car is a direct rival to Renault's good-selling Sandero and the soon-to-be-launched Ford Figo (a reincarnated last-generation Fiesta) in South Africa's cutthroat entry-level car market.
There are three engines offered in the Polo Vivo range, all familiar to existing VW owners. There's a 1.4-liter gasoline engine available in 74- and 85-horsepower derivatives, along with a 103-hp 1.6-liter gasoline engine — the last two are the same engines powering the new-generation Polo, which is also built in Uitenhage. All transfer their power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, with an automatic derivative to be added next year.
Base and Trendline models are offered, with all versions — including the base-line 1.4 two-door — getting power steering, a rake-and-reach-adjustable steering column, and dual airbags as standard. The Trendline costs extra for those who want features like body-color bumpers and ABS brakes in the 1.4 model.
All 1.6 versions come standard with ABS and remote central locking, while the 1.6 Trendline adds a radio/CD/USB system and front electric windows. Curiously, none of the models, even the flagship, come standard with air-conditioning, which is available as an option only.
Inside Line says: The name? VW says Vivo conjures a "vibrant and positive image" and is easy to pronounce. Its similarity to the popular South African war cry "Viva" no doubt played its role in name selection, too. — Denis Droppa, Correspondent
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