Polo II 1981-1994
In September 1981, Volkswagen launched the second-generation Polo. The completely redesigned body increased to a length of 3.66 metres and boasted a unique look. The steeply sloping rear made the Polo a two-door estate, small but with plenty of space. The headroom in particular had increased substantially compared with the first model series. Once again, the Polo II was a lightweight car, weighing only 770 kilogrammes in its basic version.
2.7 million total production worldwide
With the Polo, Volkswagen focused on motorsport from an early stage. It started out as a way to get up-and-coming talent into touring car racing. Later, they moved into the world of rally driving before going on to become World Champions in rallycross.
“It’s just come out, but it’s already in.”
Little Wolfswagen: Following the introduction of the square back, the fastback Coupe was added to the range. The Polo II was launched as a coupé with a fastback. As a GT version, it already had significantly more oomph thanks to the new 55-kW (75 PS) engine. Christened the “little Wolfswagen” in the adverts, it offered genuine driving pleasure at a top speed of 170 km/h.
Let’s get in on the action. In 1983, the Polo began causing a stir on the racetrack. In the very first Polo Cup, the racing cars were still equipped with classic naturally aspirated engines.
Two Solex twin carburettors increased the output to 59 kW(88 PS) – enough to let the lightweight Polo really fly over the kerbs.
The Polo range was supplemented by an entry-level model, the Fox.
World-record breaking Polo: With the new G-Lader technology, the Polo set a world speed record on 13 August 1985. In a 24-hour record-breaking drive on the Volkswagen proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien, the average speed of 208.13 km/h (approx. 129mph) was much higher than the existing record of 168.63 km/h (approx. 104mph) in the 1,300 cc class. The modified prototype was piloted by rally professional and Volkswagen factory driver Jochi Kleint.
Going back to the Polo cup topic, between 1986 and 1989 things sped up even more when the 82 kW (112 PS) Polo G40 was used in the Cup.
The smallest diesel engine providing 33 kW (45 PS) made its debut in the VW Polo and the limited-edition Polo Coupe GT G40 was born too. Offering 85 kW (115 PS), this was the most powerful variant of the Polo so far. It was also the first model to feature the scroll-type supercharger, a new style of compressor developed by Volkswagen.
By 1989, a further 1,500 units of the Polo GT G40 had been produced, now also in Tornado Red, Helios Blue Metallic and Alpine White. Five hundred of them were earmarked for export to France. The 2,000 units of the most powerful Polo model to date were in incredibly high demand and the waiting list of potential customers was so long that purchase options ended up being raffled off.
In 1990, the Polo II received an extensive model update: it now sported eye-catching rectangular headlights, as well as aerodynamically designed, integrated bumpers and a modified radiator grille. The Polo II would remain in production for 13 years.
After a short break in construction, the G-Lader became an official member of the Polo model range in 1991. It was now known simply as the Polo Coupe G40, or more commonly just as the G40, and was produced as the facelifted model 2F. This model came with a catalytic converter, delivered 83 kW (113 PS) and was no longer a limited edition.
