VW’s Polo supermini arrives here in the third quarter of 2005 after a near decade long absence

By Nick Syn

According to Volkswagen Group Singapore (VGS), we can expect to see models like the Touran Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the Polo supermini (above) and the Phaeton limousine in VW showrooms this year.

The Polo is a particularly notable addition to the line-up because this will be the first time in almost a decade that the car will be offered here.

Set to arrive in the third quarter of this year, the Polo that we’ll get is likely to be the facelifted version of the car that is currently sold in Europe. The engine variant that should make its way here is the 1.4-litre.

VGS hopes to keep prices for the Polo below the $70,000 range, right smack in the middle of some fairly crowded territory dominated by the likes of the Honda Jazz and Mitsubishi Colt.

The Phaeton, Volkswagen’s luxury flagship also finally arrives, over two years after the local market preview at the 2002 Singapore Motorshow.

Volkswagen hasn’t had an easy time finding buyers for the Phaeton, even in the European market where a more sophisticated buying sensibility usually means that badge snobbery doesn’t play as significant a role as it does in Asian countries. In Singapore however, Volkswagen believes that the Phaeton’s understatedness and luxury cruiser credentials will prove especially strong selling points.

Volkswagen’s hopes have also been buoyed in part by the car’s success in Taiwan, where about 300 units have been sold to date.

VGS expects to be able to offer the 3.2-litre V6-engined Phaeton at a price just under $250,000 including COE.

The Phaeton’s official launch happens at the end of this month and VW Group Singapore has hinted at attractive deals for early birds, cementing its commitment to ensuring the model’s success.

The Touran marks Volkswagen’s entry into the small MPV arena. It seats seven and boasts a flexible interior layout with a rear row of seats that fold flush.

VW Group Singapore is also wasting no time at all in getting the Mk V Golf GTI in the hands of prospective local buyers, which means that the first cars should arrive well within the first quarter of this year.

What’s more, prices for the highly acclaimed hatchback should start in the mid-$120,000 range, much cheaper than the $150,000 figure that was initially bandied about. All the more reason to look forward to a year of the people’s car.