Volkswagen added a bit of swag to its bestselling Polo Vivo range with the introduction special edition to the current range.
And “swag” is literally the name of the new derivative but in isiZulu, called Mswenko (pronounced m-swe-nkoh). With a name like this, the target market is customers who are dynamic and young at heart, says Volkswagen. Swag is an expression of attitude and confidence to them.
What does “swag” look like? For starters the Vivo Mswenko will easily be distinguished from its lesser Vivo siblings with Mswenko side decals, a chrome tip exhaust, 16-inch Portago alloy wheels in Anthracite finish, a black painted roof, privacy glass and mirror covers in two colour variants.
Climb into the special Polo and the Mswenko edition boasts unique standard features such as the new Ocean Blue seats, Anthracite headliner, silver dashboard inserts, App Connect, six speakers and a leather package (leather multi-function steering wheel, gearshift lever and gear knob).
And to make things even more interesting, you could choose between four exterior colours - Pure White, Reflex Silver, Limestone Grey and Reef Blue.
Under the hood is VW’s well-known 1.4 litre normally aspirated petrol engine with 63 kW available at peak.
Its worthwhile to mention the success of Volkswagen’s Polo Vivo range. Being built locally, it is South Africa’s top selling passenger car for the last ten decades with 261 285 units sold since its introduction here in 2010.
VW says that part of the Polo Vivo’s success is its affordability, German build quality, safety, space and comfort. The cost of ownership over a 3-year cycle makes Polo Vivo one of the most affordable cars to own in the South African market.
At price of R246 900 the VW Polo Vivo Mswenko will slot in between the Vivo 1.4 Comfortline and the Vivo 1.6 Comfortline. Competitors in this price class are the Ford Figo 1.5 Titanium, Honda Jazz 1.2 Trend, Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fliud Auto, Renault Clio 66 kW Turbo Authentique, Renault Sandero Stepway Plus and last but not the least, the similar offerings from Suzuki and Toyota with their Baleno and Starlet respectively.
The Polo Vivo Mswenko will be available at Volkswagen dealers from October 2020.
The South African motor industry has lost one of its longstanding business figures following the passing of Jebb McIntosh, the group chief executive of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), on Monday, 2 November 2026.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has been AGOA’s largest user, but for the sector the preference has already been largely overridden by the 25% Section 232 tariffs applied on vehicles and components. Losing AGOA adds a further cost to an industry that has already absorbed a significant shock.”
Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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