Volkswagen Polo (Germany, 1975-1981)

The first generation of the Polo, introduced in March 1975, already had the essential defining characteristics that it has retained up to this day: The front-wheel drive and the large tailgate.

This small car, which, in terms of technology, was closely related to the Audi 50, provided an opportunity for low-cost entry into the world of Volkswagen. The basic version was available for around 7,500 Deutschmark and was driven by a 29 kW four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 900 cubic centimetres.

In 1976, Volkswagen added a 1.1-litre engine delivering 37 kW / 50 hp to the range. Just one year later in 1977, the range was expanded to include another body version, the saloon-style Derby with a 515-litre boot. A 1.3-litre delivering 44 kW / 60 hp was made available for the Polo and Derby.