The Polo Classic 1.6i Trendline is one of VW's better priced packages — if one forgets the dinosaur-surviving CitiGolf with its ancient technology. Though popular in the market, the Polo 1.6i lacks in one area — engine technology.

Being rather conservative here in South Africa, VW has retained the ageing SOHC engine. Why this is so remains a mystery. Is it to better fit into the African market by retaining an engine that is the same as that in its ageing CitiGolf — which in fact happens to be just below the Polo in sales terms in this country?

The all-new treatment up front has offered the Polo a more smart and business-like appearance and away from the cuter frontal set-up of its previous sibling.

However the tougher looking new corporate droop-nose grille is perhaps a tad too tough looking on the Polo. It is good-looking, but this is achieved by a more aggressive frontal treatment than the cuter previous models.

On the inside, things remain the same — well finished but still lacking in the flair of some of its rivals.

Though still wishy-washy through faster bends, it's bestowed with reasonable and refined ride qualities. Braking was excellent, the all-round disc-brake set-up maintaining composure even at the extreme edges of spirited driving.

In performance terms the new Polo's somewhat off the mark with its 0 to 100 of 11.2 seconds, considering that its lighter sibling CitiGolf with the same engine achieves 10.0. Compared to say the Peugeot 206 1.6i's 10.2 or Citroen's C3's 9.8, questions can be asked.

And the answer lies under the bonnet. Where the Polo delivers 74kW its European rivals above have up-to-date 16-valve twin-cam motors under their bonnets churning out 80kW. Although, let's face it, when most buyers purchase a small car not many will give a hoot as to the outputs of the engines.

However the other point is that most who buy a Polo 1.6i believe that what the German giant offers them must be the best they can get. And what is even more evident is VW is the only well-known manufacturer at this stage that offers a rougher running single overhead cam engine with two valves per cylinder belonging in the last century. However in the fuel consumption stakes the Polo 1.6i achieved a respectable 7.5 litre per 100km when driven with care.

At R141 770 the Polo is reasonably priced, though when you consider it houses an engine belonging in a museum you wonder why VW does not slip one of its fine twin-cam engines into it. After all it does have such engines in its arsenal. However in overall terms — apart from the engine — the Polo 1.6i still remains a class act.

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