- Action-packed film celebrates Polo 50th (with apologies to Ken Block).
- Polo R WRC, R Supercar and RX1e EV go sideways in style.
- Includes cameo from new-generation ID. Polo electric hatch.
The Volkswagen Polo was discontinued in New Zealand back in 2022 (blame our obsession with small SUVs), but it's still going strong in Europe and elsewhere. In fact, it turns 50 in 2025.
VW is celebrating with a short film of racing Polos doing some big drifts. In some respects it's a shameless ripoff of Ken Block's groundbreaking Gymkhana videos, but it's great to watch nonetheless - and there are some nice details.
Driver Johan Kristofferson (World Rally, Rallycross) swaps between the familiar Polo R WRC, Polo R Supercar and latest Polo RX1e EV as the film progresses.
The two older Polo models from the 5th generation sport a special livery: created by designer Sean Bull, it is a tribute to the Polo Harlekin cult model.
In April, fans were asked to choose one of four designs and, in an online vote for the livery, chose the classic Harlekin colours Ginster Yellow, Flash Red, Pistachio and Chagall Blue.
In true "watch until the end" fashion, the forthcoming ID. Polo (formerly known as the ID. 2) also makes a guest appearance at the end.
The location is South Africa: Gqeberha has been a production base of the Polo for many years, including for the European market. Scenes were filmed at the harbour, on a closed-off highway in downtown Gqeberha, on the VW test track and at the Polo plant in Kariega.
The racing Polos in the video
- The VW Polo R WRC was used in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2013. The car was based on the fifth-generation Polo, had a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 232kW and all-wheel drive. It claimed four consecutive driver titles with Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, as well as four manufacturer titles.
- The Polo R Supercar was developed from the WRC car for the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX). It is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with over 420kW and all-wheel drive. In 2017 and 2018, Kristoffersson drove it to win the Drivers’ World Championship and VW secured the team title.
- The Polo RX1e is an all-electric racing car developed by KMS for the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Two electric motors together deliver 500kW/880Nm of torque. Kristoffersson won the world championship with the RX1e in 2022 and 2023.
