The Volkswagen (VW) Polo hatchback is the most popular car in South Africa. It is no surprise that the Volkswagen Polo was still South Africa’s top-selling hatchback in in May 2020 despite the nationwide lockdown. The Polo Vivo came along with a close second.1
Why is the VW Polo so popular?2
Besides its fantastic performance it has sleek arrow-like features and distinctive lines that runs along both sides of the car makes the design very attractive. This makes the car look more aggressive than before, while the dark red taillights and the chrome trim highlight its upmarket appearance.
But what about the VW Polo’s safety? 2
Popularity does not make a car safe. The hatchback has been equipped with an extensive range of safety features, raising the bar in overall vehicle safety.
An optional rear-view camera2
This camera enables the driver to detect any moving or stationary obstacle behind the Polo. This amazing technology has been built into the boot, making reversing so much safer. It eliminates the stress of the car connecting with something that the driver has not spotted. Never mind any inanimate object that could be impacted while reversing, but what about a little child or dog that has suddenly appeared behind the car?
Parking the Polo2
Parking a car is the bane of most motorists. When reversing, it is so easy to collide with another car that you did not see. The VW Polo has been fitted with a ‘Park Distance Control’ accompanied by ‘Manoeuvre Braking’. With these two features working together, the distance around the Polo is under constant surveillance. This system initiates the brakes the split-second the Polo approaches a stationary car.
Optional detection of a blind spot2
This system removes the stress of wondering while reversing if you do not see everything you need to because of a possible blind spot.
Visibility of the Polo during the day and night2
The visibility of a car is a crucial safety factor, especially for pedestrians. LED lights are permanently switched on during the day in front of the vehicle. Optional new LED headlights lasts much longer and are more intense, providing a spectrum similar to daylight and requiring less energy than before.
System alerting drivers2,3
This intelligent system detects a driver who may be slowly nodding off to sleep. This fantastic feature should be standard in all vehicles given the unnecessary accidents caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel. The alert system warns the driver with a loud signal lasting 5 seconds, as well as a message displayed on the dashboard, saying that it is time for a break. Should the driver ignore this, the whole warning procedure is repeated 15 minutes later.
You have read about some safety features built into the VW Polo. Life is ever-changing and incorporating safety minimises risk and tragedy. The same applies to car insurance, where you could need protection from financial disaster in the event of an accident. Are you sure your car is adequately and affordably covered? Maybe you should consider getting affordable car insurance with fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess* with PMD. *T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
2https://www.vw.co.za/en/models-and-configurator/polo.html
