Updated VW Polo Vivo GT launches in South Africa – big changes and pricing

The new VW Polo Vivo GT is officially on sale in South Africa with a starting price of R332,800, bringing some new exterior and interior features.

According to Volkswagen South Africa, the range-topping Polo Vivo’s unique styling and characteristics have been enhanced this year to be easily recognisable as the new 2023 model.

Externally, the popular hatchback now has silver mirror caps, GT badging on the grille and boot, redesigned GT nomenclature on the front doors, a chrome-tipped exhaust, a black boot spoiler, and an all-new exterior metallic Wild Cherry Red colour to accompany the four other pre-existing colours.

Additionally, for a sportier interior look, the cloth inserts and stitch colours have been changed from blue to red. New grey stitching on the gear lever and handbrake ties in with grey exterior accents, as well as GT embroidered branding on the loose lay mats.

Features

The Polo Vivo GT comes standard with front sports seats, aluminium-look pedals, anthracite-colour headlining, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlamps, and a 7-inch infotainment unit with six speakers and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

An optional parking package will then add a rearview camera with park distance control, while the lights package replaces the halogen headlights with LED ones, along with LED daytime running lights.

The hatch also has a boot with room for 289 litres and comes with a space-saving spare wheel.

Performance

As before, the GT is the only Vivo in the line-up driven by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 81kW and 200Nm.

This configuration makes it the most powerful model in the range, comprising a six-speed manual transmission.

Buyers can expect the GT to report a combined fuel usage of 4.6l/100km with a top speed of 196km/h.

The sporty Vivo GT’s ride height has been lowered by 15mm compared to the standard Vivo Polos, now measuring 128mm, and it sits on model-exclusive 17-inch “Mirabeau” alloy wheels in silver.

Pricing 

The updated VW Polo Vivo pricing and model line-up as of April 2023 is as follows:

• VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline – R247,300
• VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline – R266,900
• VW Polo Vivo 1.6 Highline – R296,000
• VW Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline Auto – R296,600
• VW Polo Vivo 1.0TSI GT – R332,800

Each purchase comes standard with a 3-year/120,000km warranty with service and maintenance plans available as options.

VW Polo Vivo GT 

Read: The cars you afford on the average salary in South Africa right now