Volkswagen Polo Mk3 - Overview

Overview

The third generation Polo (known internally as the Typ 6N) was launched in September 1994, and was a completely new model/chassis from the old Polo, although early versions used the engines from the Mark 2. The Mark 4 was the first Polo to be made available as a five-door as well as three-door hatchback; these were built in 1995-1999.

The platform used for this model used a modified version of the floorpan of the Volkswagen Golf Mark 3, as did the SEAT Ibiza Mk2. A multitude of mechanical parts and all of the suspension components were intechangeable among the three models. Although the dashboard and a number of mechanical components, including engines, were shared with the Ibiza, outwardly the Polo models were entirely different with no body panels shared with the SEAT model.

Initially, only three- and five-door hatchback versions were available. In 1995, four-door saloon ("Polo Classic/Sedan/Derby") and five-door estate ("Polo Wagon/Variant") versions were added to the range — these were badge engineered versions of the SEAT Córdoba (the saloon and estate versions of the Ibiza). They were referred to internally by VW as the Typ 6KV, and shared body panels with the SEAT model rather than the hatchback models.

A convertible version was not produced, although a version with an electrically sliding full length sunroof, called the Polo Open Air, was available.