VWSA has upped the ante in South Africa’s growing small diesel hatch market by adding the 96 kW TDI Sportline to its Polo range.
VWSA has upped the ante in South Africa’s growing small diesel hatch market by adding the 96 kW TDI Sportline to its Polo range.
Last year, the 74 kW Polo 1,9 TDI three-door (R155 240), with its four-cylinder eight-valve diesel pump injection engine producing peak torque of 240 N.m, set the benchmark for small oil burners by recording a zero-to-100 km/h time of ten seconds and a top speed was a modest 188 km/h.
But prospective Polo TDI buyers now have something new to consider as VWSA has introduced the hot Polo TDI Sportline, which costs R168 600 but has significantly more shove.
It produces 96 kW at 4 000 r/min and a generous 310 N.m of torque at 1 900 r/min transmitted via a slick new six-speed gearbox. The four-cylinder powerplant propels the new three-door to 100 km/h in 9,6 seconds and to a top end of 206 km/h.
The car is claimed to consume 6,8 litres per 100 km on an urban cycle , and this drops to five litres for the combined cycle.
Inside, the Sportline is kitted out with a radio with six-CD changer, sports seats, power windows and power steering. The steering wheel is leather-bound for extra comfort and a multi-function display provides constant data to the driver.
Safety systems like ABS, with ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear, EBD and front airbags are standard. Remote central locking with an alarm system and automatically locking doors take care of security.
The 16-inch alloy wheels are shod with 205/45 performance tyres. Services for the Polo TDI are required at 15 000 km intervals, but an oil change is required every 7 500 km. The car is covered by a three-year / 120 000 km warranty, a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and an optional AutoMotion maintenance plan.