The Polo Mark II (or Typ 86C) was introduced in October 1981, with the major change being the introduction of a third body style with a steep (almost vertical) rear window, in addition to a version resembling the original Mark I shape with a diagonal rear window. These two body styles were called the Wagon (in some markets) and Coupé respectively, although in fact both were three-door hatchbacks, and in some markets the Wagon designation was not used, with that car being simply the “Volkswagen Polo” without a suffix. The sedan version was now called the Polo Classic, and the Derby name became extinct. Production was expanded to Spain in the mid-1980s following Volkswagen’s takeover of SEAT. By 1983, the millionth Polo was produced. The second million were produced by 1986.
The model now competed in the supermini sector with the likes of the Austin Metro, Ford Fiesta and Citroën Visa and it was one of the largest models in its class. Due to Volkswagen’s sub-premium marketing positioning, however, its pricing was closer to competitor models in the class above, such as the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra/Opel Kadett.
The Mark II Polo was used extensively by Volkswagen to develop future innovations, for example supercharging with a 40 mm G-Lader supercharger in the GT G40 version. A 60 mm G-Lader would later be used on the larger and more technically challenging G60 engine used in the Golf and Corrado.
A fuel efficient two-cylinder diesel was prototyped in the mid 1980s with a G40 supercharger to overcome its small capacity, although this did not make it to production. A high fuel efficiency model which did make production was the petrol-engined Formel E (E for Economy), introduced at the launch in 1981 with a 1.1 litre engine and from 1983 with a 1.3 litre engine, overdrive top-gear ratio and an early stop-start ignition system (called “SSA”) which would cut the engine when idle for more than two seconds to save fuel whilst temporarily stopped in traffic, and restart the engine on moving the gear lever to the left in neutral.
Similar systems were later used on the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 and various systems from other car manufacturers.
It was a popular import in the UK, competing with the likes of the Peugeot 205, Fiat Uno and Nissan Micra. Its reliability and build quality were among the best to be found on a small car of this era, and it was notably bigger than most of its competitors.[citation needed]
The Mark II was available with the following engines:
- 1093 cc straight-4 petrol (1981–1983)
- 1272 cc straight-4 petrol (1981–)
- 1043 cc straight-4 petrol (1983–)
- 1272 cc straight-4 petrol with fuel injection and equipped with a catalytic converter. (1983–) GT
- 1272 cc straight-4 supercharged petrol with 83 kW (113 PS) ( G40 version 1987 only)
- 1.3 L straight-4 diesel (1986–)
- 1.4 L straight-4 diesel (1990–)
Polo Mark II Facelift (1990–1994)
| Volkswagen Polo Mark IIF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1990–1994 |
| Assembly | Navarra, Spain Wolfsburg, Germany Zwickau, Germany |
Polo CL Mark IIF interior
The Mark II Facelift (referred to as the Mark IIF, also erroneously known as the “Mark 3”) was a far-reaching facelift of the MkII, including a re-skin of the bodywork. The new look saw square headlights, enlarged and reshaped tail-lights, bigger bumpers and a new interior (dashboard and door trim).The three different body styles were maintained. As well as the cosmetic differences, under the skin the car received modifications to the chassis, suspension and brakes. The new Polo still had the 4-cylinder engines but now as well as the carburettor 1.0 L, a fuel injection model was available with single-point injection and all engines came with a catalytic converter as standard to combat tightening European emissions regulations. The saloon was only produced in Spain, and production ceased in 1992.
At the time of launch of the Mark IIF Polo, the highest performance model was the Polo GT. This featured a multi-point fuel-injected version of the 1272 cc engine. This produced 75 bhp (56 kW) and had a quoted top speed of 172 km/h (107 mph). 0-60 figures stood at 11.1 seconds. Defining features of the GT include red piping in the bumpers, black overhead cloth, a rev counter and a red “GT” badge in the grille. This was succeeded by the launch of the G40 in May 1991, displacing the GT as the most powerful Polo at the time. The GT squareback was discontinued in 1992 due to poor sales in comparison with the coupé version.
Soon after the launch of the Mark IIF, another sporting model was added to the range — a new version of the supercharged G40, now as a full production model in all markets rather than the limited batch of Mark II G40s. As with the previous model, Volkswagen Motorsport modified G40 Cup cars were sold for racing in a one-make series, the Volkswagen Polo G40 Cup. Features that define the G40 from other Polo models at the time (on top of the GT) include a bee-sting aerial, BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels, Le Mans interior trim and front and rear red “G40” badges.
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