Polo II (1981–1994)

Starting this year, Volkswagen also offered the Polo as a two-door coupé with a sloping rear end – including a particularly sporty engine option: the Polo GT with 75 PS. The GT was lowered by 15 millimetres and featured a firmer spring/damper set-up and a steering damper. The rear stabiliser ensured crisp steering response and stability around the longitudinal axis. Other GT features included a rev counter, halogen headlights, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, sports seats, and emblems and red trim strips on the front and rear bumpers. Optional BBS rims rounded off the sporty appearance. The performance figures were impressive, and not just in retrospect: top speed 170 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 11 seconds. But despite all the excitement, the coupé was of course also available in CL and GL versions in addition to the GT model.

A new 55 PS engine replaced its 60 PS predecessor and the 1.1-litre engine with 40 PS. A split rear seat backrest was standard in the GL and available at extra cost for other models.

This year, the Polo range was expanded to include an entry-level model, the Fox, which appealed primarily to a younger target group with its colourful interior. The Fox was produced in Pamplona, right next to the Seat Ibiza. The Fox went without a clock, trip meter, cigarette lighter, glove compartment lid, and fixed parcel shelf. It could be recognised by the lettering on the side and rear, and was available in Turquoise Blue and Saima Green with matching wheel trims.

The fuel tank capacity of all Polo models was increased from 36 to 42 litres. In August 1984, the GL version was discontinued and the CL equipment was upgraded. The Polo Coupé was now available with the 40 PS engine.

In September, the 40 PS engine was replaced by a more modern 45 PS unit with low-maintenance technology (hydraulic tappets). The Formula E vehicles were taken out of the range. A glass roof became available as an optional extra from this year onwards.

The two-spoke steering wheel was given thicker foam padding. The Polo GT was fitted with a leather gear knob. The windscreen washer reservoir was enlarged to 3.5 litres and now also operated the rear windscreen wiper (as in the Golf II) via a long pipe. From this year onwards, the coupé was also available as a Fox.

In the spring, Germany's smallest diesel engine was launched: the Polo was fitted with a 45 PS diesel engine. Unlike in the Golf, where the diesel version immediately captured a large market share, the self-igniter lead a rather modest existence in the Polo.

In May 1987, the most powerful version of the Polo to date was produced in a limited series of initially 500 vehicles under the magic formula Polo Coupé GT G40. The power output of its 1,300cc engine was increased to 115 PS with a mechanical spiral supercharger without catalytic converter and to 113 PS with catalytic converter. The chassis performance was adapted to the engine power: a lower suspension, internally ventilated disk brakes at the front and 5½Jx13 BBS alloy wheels with 175/60R13H tyres counteracted any disruptive longitudinal and lateral forces. Initially only available in sporty black, a further 1,500 Polo GT G40s were produced by 1989 (500 of them for export to France), now also in Tornado Red, Helios Blue Metallic and Alpine White.

From August, the range was reduced to three variants: Fox, CL and GT. The Foxwas downgraded from a special model to the base model. The 1.3-litre engine (75 PS) was now also available for the hatchback.

It's the little things in life: the 4+E transmission was renamed the 5-speed transmission.

The Polo with 45 PS was equipped with a catalytic converter as standard. In 1990, the last member of the family also met the purity requirements: the Polo GT with 75 PS had a catalytic converter as standard.

An attractive special feature reached customers before the summer: from April 1990, an electric folding sunroof was available that extended across the entire length of the roof and almost gave the feeling of driving a convertible. From August 1990, the previous diesel engine was replaced by a 1.4-litre unit with 48 PS.

In October 1990, after nine years in production, the Polo underwent a thorough overhaul. New rectangular headlights were noticeable at the front, there were new aerodynamically designed, integrated bumpers and a new radiator grille, and the interior had also been comprehensively optimised: a new dashboard offered plenty of storage space, the radio slot was now positioned higher up for ease of use, and the heating and ventilation were now operated via modern rotary controls. The driver now looked at a newly designed instrument panel. The rear window was now flush with the body in all body variants, which, in conjunction with the rounded front, improved the drag coefficient by ten percent.

After around 2,000 units of the GT G40, the most powerful Polo was now simply called the G40: in January 1991, the second series was launched under the name Polo G40. The engine, once again powered by the characteristic G-Lader, now delivered 113 PS and was equipped with a catalytic converter as standard. The most striking features were the red trim strips on the bumpers, the G40 emblem on the radiator grille and tailgate, the sports seats in Le Mans check pattern, and the speedometer – which went up to 240 km/h. The car was controlled by a three-spoke sports leather steering wheel, and the gear knob was covered in leather, as was the gear lever gaiter.

The Fox, CL and GT underwent a final revision in August and were fitted with reinforcements in the doors for protection in the event of a side impact. The Fox was now available with a sturdy boot cover. The CL was fitted with a three-spoke steering wheel and a holder for a first aid kit and warning triangle in the boot.

In 1994, the last VW Polo II rolled off the production line – after a total of 13 years in production and approximately 2.7 million units produced worldwide.