Volkswagen has announced the updated Polo Vivo has been awarded four stars for adult occupant protection at a recent Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) safety test, with the local arm of the German marque saying the rating awarded to its best-selling passenger car is a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of safety. At the same time, the Polo Vivo scored three stars for child occupant protection.
“The Polo Vivo is one of the best-selling models in South Africa. It is therefore very satisfying to see the positive and constructive reaction from Volkswagen in offering safety feature improvements for the new version of the car,” said David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation.
According to the firm, the key active and passive safety features that contributed to the hatchback’s four-star adult occupant protection rating include driver and front passenger seatbelt recognition, replete with audible warning, and dual front airbags (for the driver and passenger). It is worth noting that Style and GT derivatives gain, as standard, front side airbags, bringing the total to four. The latter items are available as an option with Life level of specification. The entry-level Polo Vivo, however, sports only two front items. Electronic stability control is standard across the range, as are Isofix child-seat anchorages.
This recognition underscores our dedication to providing our customers with reliable and safe vehicles — Niels Wichmann, Brand Head of Volkswagen Passenger Cars
As a reminder, produced at the Wolfsburg-based automaker’s Kariega manufacturing facility in the Eastern Cape, the revised Polo Vivo line-up comprises five derivatives, available with the choice of three engine options: a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-pot available in two states of tune (55 kW/130 N.m and 63 kW/132 N.m); an atmospheric 1.6-litre, four-cylinder unit producing 77 kW and 153 N.m; and a 1.0-litre turbo-triple endowed with 81 kW and 200 N.m of torque.
Said Niels Wichmann, Brand Head of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, “Volkswagen’s commitment to safety is unwavering, and this recognition underscores our dedication to providing our customers with reliable and safe vehicles. The impressive performance in Global NCAP’s rigorous testing protocol demonstrates the level of active and passive safety features available in the new Polo Vivo.“