Beetle successor - VW Polo in (historic) test

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Beetle successor - VW Polo in (historic) test

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Created on May 3, 1975

Text:

Engelbert Männer

Photos:

Volkswagen

4

Audi AG

2

Audi Pressedienst

1

Archiv

24

31

VW Polo L (1975) - with significantly more chrome trim and radial tires

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Audi 50 (1974) - next to the still developing VW Polo?

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VW Polo (1975) - offers space for five people

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VW Polo (1975) - the rear seat bench was not foldable on the basic model

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VW Polo (1975) - copied from its brother Audi 50, with 900 cc engine as Benjamin in the VW range - Geneva Motor Show 1975

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VW Polo L (1978) - the small car as a photo model and prop

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VW Polo L (1975) - the better equipped model

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VW Polo (1975) - friendly interior with pied-de-poule seat cover, price 9385 francs - Geneva Motor Show 1975

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VW Polo (1975) - standard version (front) and L-version (rear)

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VW Polo GLS (1977) - together with its notchback brother Derby GLS

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VW Golf (1978) - together with the Polo, Derby, Scirocco and Passat on the development site in Ehra-Lessien

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VW Polo (1975) - with a length of only 3.5 m very maneuverable

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VW Polo (1975) - also solves larger transportation problems

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VW Polo (1975) - with 0.9-liter engine with 40 hp output

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VW Polo Formula E (1979) - with a long fourth gear to save fuel

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VW Polo (1975) - View of the front suspension

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VW Polo (1975) - ease of repair compared to the Beetle

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Audi 50 (1975) - compact and yet a typical Audi

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Audi 50 (1975) - safe small car in the style of Audi

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Audi 50 LS (1975) - the parallel model to the Polo

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Summary

High hopes were pinned on the smallest VW, as it was supposed to bring the Group out of the red as a basic model. As a compact estate car with variable luggage space and an engine that was spirited and economical for its displacement class, the Polo was a convincing proposition. This test report from the time describes its chances of displacing the VW 1200 Beetle on the German market and how it fared in comparison to the Audi 50.

This article contains the following chapters

Bodywork: made to measure
Equipment: N or L
Operation: Playful
Driving performance: Astonishing
Road holding/suspension: Excellent with radial tires
Noise: Cultivated
Plus points
Minus points
Overall verdict
Technical data & measured values

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Great hopes are pinned on the smallest VW. As the basic model in the combined VW Polo/Audi 50 - VW Golf/Scirocco - VW Passat/Audi 80 range, it is intended to bring the Group back out of the red. According to VW analyses, there is an annual market of two million units in Europe for cars with an engine capacity of less than one liter. The Polo is expected to take about a quarter of this figure as early as 1976. What chances does it have, especially against the Renault, Fiat and Citroën models that have been on the market for years? Will it soon be able to displace the VW 1200 Beetle on the German market?

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