The short answer is yes. But, let’s dive deeper.
Recently, the Golf GTI, which is the godfather of all hot hatches, and probably the most iconic hot hatch of all time, made a trip to India. Quite an expensive trip, a CBU trip to India. Which means it’s expensive. A bit above 50 lakh rupees. And no manual. However, I have a nagging suspicion that people will still buy it. Because, the Golf GTI might be the last time a hot hatch makes an entry into India. And people know this, which is why I still think that there are people who want sporty hatchbacks.
We also have to acknowledge the cult-like following that the Polo has in India. The Polo has a huge fan-following, and it has always fascinated Indians, almost everyone wants one. If the Polo name comes back to India, I bet people will flock in to buy it, they won’t have enough Polos!
But, why is the Polo so loved, in India? When the Polo first launched in India in 2010, it was unlike anything else in it’s segment. While rivals played it safe with conservative styling and economy-focused engineering, the Polo brought in a premium European flavor. It’s solid doors, clean lines, and taut suspension setup immediately earned it a reputation of build-quality and performance. Not to mention the GT TSI and GT TDI variants, that offered turbocharged engines, advanced DSG-transmissions, and hot-hatch like driving feel. The Polo was the first to offer all this in a hatchback, and it’s fun-to-drive nature made it the default choice for enthusiasts.
But, what went wrong? First off, the company Volkswagen, seeing the Polo’s sales success, barely updated it. It’s dated platform not only felt outdated in comparison with rapidly evolving competition, but it also lacked rear seat space, a necessity for Indians. And they never changed the platform, for more than a decade, till it was discontinued! And all that quality and technology came at a cost. Which is why, it was quite expensive compared to other hatchbacks in it's segment, which is why not many people bought it.
So, what if Volkswagen brings the Polo and Polo GTI to India, but instead of making that platform a CBU or a CKD, what if they locally make it in India? Is now the right time? Obviously. I mean, think about it! The Kylaq is based on an Indianized version of the same platform as the current iteration of the Polo. So, they can easily localize the Polo and the Polo GTI if they want to. In fact, as a clever idea, since Volkswagens have huge aftermarket support for mods in India, Volkswagen can also take advise from aftermarket tuners to execute this idea. Granted, it will still be a bit expensive, but since manufacturing will be localized, it will help the price a bit. If this works, they might consider localizing the manufacturing of the Golf GTI! Or, the Golf R? Okay, I might be going too far, but at least it’s worth trying. If there is a chance of reviving the Polo name in India, I think it’s worth taking.
The Polo was more than just a car — it was an icon. In a market that increasingly looks and feels the same, it offered something different: German engineering, a premium feel, and fun behind the wheel. And while the segment has moved on, the appetite for such a car hasn’t disappeared.
If Volkswagen wants to win hearts (and market share) again, the answer is simple — bring back the Polo.
