Whether it's an Opel Corsa TR, a VW Derby or a Renault Symbol: small cars with an extended trunk often don't appeal to aesthetics. It's clear: the longer the classic sedan, the more elegant it is. Just look at the old Jaguar XJ. At a good four meters long, the opposite is true. The trunk acts like a backpack.
This was especially true for small and compact VW cars with a triangular rear. Whether it was the Derby or the Vento: the rear was always above the lower window line. Wolfsburg insisted on this design for a long time. Today, there is still a Polo with a triangular rear, the Virtus model, but it is only intended for markets such as Brazil.
It was different 30 years ago. The Polo Classic, which had been available as a sedan since October 1995 and was 4,14 meters long, was produced in Spain and was based on the larger Seat Cordoba platform. It thus offered more space not only inside, but also under the bonnet: this made it possible to install a new 1,9-liter turbodiesel with 90 hp. Alternatively, it was equipped with a 1,4-liter engine (60 hp) and a 1,6-liter unit with 75 or 100 hp. Thrifty buyers could opt for a 64 hp diesel engine. Acceleration: 16,7 seconds.
While the Seat was also available as a two-door model, VW limited itself to four doors. And in contrast to the usual Polo with its flashy nineties colours such as “pistachio” (including harlequin), it limited itself to subdued colours. Dark blue, dark green, the only fashionable exception being “Electronicgreen Metallic”. The target group was clearly defined: without saying it openly, they had in mind older customers with a penchant for sedans. Those who might still have a Derby but found the Vento too big for them.
Despite everything: a special catalogue was available for the sedan, 52 pages thick. Young activists without language skills might stumble upon the “negro” comfort package there. Let us reveal to them: this means “black” in Spanish, which makes the upholstery color clear. And the Polo Classic was half Spanish. Of course, the brochure emphasized the enormous trunk: 455 liters, and with the rear seat folded down, 762 liters. They also emphasized the galvanization of some body parts, including cavity protection, and the standard airbags for the driver and front passenger.
Quotes from May 1996: "Sports sedan" and "pure driving pleasure". VW meant it seriously. We almost wonder why there wasn't a Polo Classic GTI at all. Although: the 100 hp engine (140 Nm at 3.500 rpm) wasn't slow either, also due to the kerb weight of just 1.080 kilograms: 10,7 seconds to 100 km/h, 7,3 to 80. This version cost a proud 28.450 marks, which was a good 2.000 marks more than the regular Polo 16V with 100 hp. For 200 marks more, a Golf 1.6 with the same power was also available.
Today, the Polo Classic lives a completely unnoticed life. The already much more widespread Polo 6N with a steep rear is rarely of interest, and no one is interested in the Classic. Although these are good cars for retirees for modest money. I bet that in 15 years the Polo Classic will turn heads.
