Volkswagen Polo Mk3

Pre-facelift Volkswagen Polo

Interior (pre-facelift)

The MK3 Polo was unveiled on 31 August 1994, and was immediately available in left-hand drive form for continental markets,[6] and was launched on the right-hand drive UK market in October that year. It was the first completely new Polo to be launched since the MK2 model in 1981; although that model had undergone a major restyle in 1990. It was also the first version of the Polo to be available with five doors as well as three doors. The initial range consisted of new 1.0 and 1.6 petrol engines; the 1.3 unit was carried over from the previous Polo but discontinued a year later in favour a new 1.4 unit, which became available around the same time as a 1.9 diesel and turbo-diesel models. The availability of a diesel Polo for the first time on the UK market brought it into line with almost all of its competitors, while the Polo was the last mainstream supermini in Europe to become available with five doors - five years after the Ford Fiesta was first available with five doors, and between seven and 11 years after the launch of five-door superminis including the Opel Corsa, Fiat Uno, Nissan Micra and Peugeot 205.[7]

The platform used for this model was all new, although it shared some components with SEAT Ibiza Mk2 which had been launched a year earlier. Although the dashboard and a number of mechanical components, including some engines and rear suspension, were shared with the Ibiza, outwardly the Polo models were entirely different with no body panels shared with the SEAT model.

Initially, only three- and five-door hatchback versions were available. In 1995, four-door saloon ("Polo Classic/Sedan/Derby") and five-door estate ("Polo Wagon/Variant") versions were added to the range — these were badge engineered and mildly restyled versions of the SEAT Córdoba (the saloon and estate versions of the Ibiza). They were referred to internally by VW as the Typ 6KV, and shared body panels with the SEAT model rather than the hatchback models. A two-door coupe version of the Cordoba (the SX) was also produced, but the Polo was never made in this form.

A convertible version was not produced, although a version with an electrically sliding full length sunroof, called the Polo Open Air, was available.

Initially the car was available with the 1043cc putting out 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp), and the 1272cc putting out 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) engines from the previous generation Polo, along with a new 1598cc unit. A new 1.4L engine replaced the 1.3L in October 1995. In September 1996 the 1043cc engine was replaced by an all-new aluminium block multi-point injection 999cc developing 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp). The Classic and Variant models featured a 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) or 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) 1.6L and a 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp) 1.9L diesel and a 1.8L (82 kw) lux model with electric front windows. For the first time, a turbo-diesel engine (1.9L) was available in a Polo, although only in the 6K models. Due to its smaller engine bay, the standard 3 and 5-door 6N did not get a turbo-diesel engine until the facelift in 2000.

The car was available with the following engines:

• 1,043 cc straight-4 petrol 33 kW (45 PS) (1995–96)
• 1,272 cc straight-4 petrol 40 kW (55 PS) (1995–96)
• 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 55 kW (75 PS) (Engine Code – AEE)
• 1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol 74 kW (100 PS) (Engine Code – AFH) stock but tuned 1.4 16v 75 Ps version
• 1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol 55 kW (75 PS)
• 1.4 L straight-4 petrol 60 PS (44 kW) (Engine Code AUD)(1996–)
• 999 cc straight-4 petrol 50 PS (37 kW) — all-new aluminium block multi-point injection (1996–)
• 1.6 L straight-4 16-valve petrol 88 kW (120 PS) (LHD European GTI model only)
• 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 74 kW (100 PS) (6K saloon and estate models only) Engine code AFX.
• 1.6 L straight-4 petrol 55 kW (75 PS) (6K saloon and estate models only)
• 1.8 L straight-4 petrol 82 kW (111 PS) (6K saloon and hatchback models only) Engine code AFV.
• 1.9 L straight-4 diesel 47 kW (64 PS)

The Polo Mark 3 was much better equipped than its predecessor. A range of models featured items such as colour-coded bumpers, heated/electrically adjustable mirrors, four speaker stereo, pollen filters, central locking, rear head restraints, split rear seats, fog lights, alloy wheels, and airbags. The car was available originally in four trim levels ranging from the L at the bottom level of the scale through the CL and GL to the range topping GLX model. The range-topping was the Polo SE or Special Equipment; it featured a number of features from higher spec models such as the GLX bumpers, Sport Rader alloy wheels, tinted rear light clusters and clear indicators.

Unlike the Volkswagen Polo Mk1 and Volkswagen Polo Mk2, trim levels were not the same across Europe; the United Kingdom's were L, CL, GL, GLX, 16v (later E, S, SE and GTi); models sold in Europe had trim levels which were individual to the country they were marketed in. The facelift at the end of 1999 saw the introduction of E, S and SE trim levels, as well as the 1.6 GTI which was the first to be sold in Britain.

An all-new Polo was unveiled at the end of 2001, although the saloon and estate models continued in production until 2003, and were not replaced with any new additions to the newer Polo range.

2000 facelift

The facelifted Mark III Phase II[8] (or Typ 6N2; sometimes referred to as the Mark IIIF or "Mark 5" by enthusiasts) was released in 1999.[9][10] The hatchback models featured updated styling including new headlights and bumpers and an all new interior based on that of the Lupo. Although the car was similar in appearance to the Mark 3 (the bodyshell was fully galvanised and stiffened but not fully redesigned, although some panels were changed), Volkswagen claimed that 70% of the components were new. Power steering, antilock brakes and twin airbags were made standard. The saloon and estate versions received the new interior, but not the full exterior facelift. Also, the three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI engine was introduced for the three and five-door hatchbacks.

Specification options ranged from power steering, tinted glass, split rear seats, electric windows and cup holders to ABS, air conditioning, Xenon headlights and satellite navigation. Thirty-two models with seven engines ranging from the 1.4 diesel to the 1.6 L 16V GTI made the choice of Polo the widest ever seen. The base model was the Comfortline with the option of no less than 5 engines ranging from the 1.0 50 PS (37 kW) to the 1.9 TDI unit found across the VW range, producing 90 PS (66 kW). The 1.0 L hatchback was considered cheap for the build quality and spec list when compared to other cars. Then came the Trendline and Highline models. With engine options ranging from 60 PS (44 kW) to a 110 PS (81 kW) diesel they offered a range of features usually found on the more sporty models but without the insurance or running cost woes.

Volkswagen also introduced a GTI version of this facelift, this time also available outside of Germany. The GTI is equipped with a further developed 1.6l 16v engine from the 6N with 92 kW (125 hp), this time with VVT (Variable Valve Timing) which activates from 5,000 revs, making the engine sound more exuberant. The GTI is recognizable by original Xenon lighting with headlight washers (the only one in the 6N2 range), honeycomb grills, 10mm factory lowered suspension, a thicker front lip and original 15" BBS rims with 195mm wide tires.

Both versions of the Mark III Polo were strong sellers in the United Kingdom and strong competitor for the likes of the Fiat Punto and Nissan Micra. At the time of its launch, it was arguably the best small car on sale in Europe in terms of build quality and "upmarket" feel, although its ride and handling was generally not considered to be as good as that of the Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 206. The 1.4 TDI was considered the best in the range due to its reliability, fuel consumption, and relative power, for a small engine.

• 1999 Used Car Buyer Greatest Used Car Buy Awards – Best Economy Car
• 1998 Top Gear Magazine Top Cars – Best Supermini
• 1997 Which? Magazine Best Buys – Best Supermini
• 1997 Auto Express New Car Honours – Best Supermini
• 1997 Complete Car of the Year Awards – Best Supermini
• 1996 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
• 1995 What Car? – Car of the Year

• The SEAT Ibiza Mark 2 was based on the same platform as the Mk3 Polo Classic and Variant, as were the SEAT Inca and Volkswagen Caddy panel vans.
• The South African built Volkswagen Polo Playa was a rebadged version of the SEAT Ibiza Mark 2, and was sold instead of the European Polo in South Africa until the introduction of the Polo Mark 4.
• The Volkswagen Lupo and SEAT Arosa city cars were based on a shortened version of the 6N platform, and shared many components.

• Volkswagen Polo for an overview of all models
• Volkswagen Polo Mk1
• Volkswagen Polo Mk2
• Volkswagen Polo Mk4
• Volkswagen Polo Mk5
• Volkswagen Polo Mk6

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volkswagen Polo III.

• Volkswagen UK's Polo Site
• Volkswagen Australia's Polo Site
• Polo3 - Mk1 Mk2 & Mk3 Polo owners community UK
• Club Polo UK Website (source for some of the model history information)
• uk-polos.net, THE UK Polo Forum (UK based VW Polo Forum)
• POLO Club Russia