BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Volkswagen decided to jazz-up its range topping Polo Vivo GT with a fresh, new look and exterior and interior updates.
To get an idea how popular the VW Polo Vivo is with South Africans, the numbers tell the story.
Close to 120 000 (119 679) second-generation Volkswagen Polo Vivos have been sold since its launch in the local market in 2018. Since the Polo Vivo was first introduced in South Africa in 2010, the hatch has recorded 313 620 in cumulative sales.
Now the eyes turn to the Polo Vivo GT to draw even more attention from potential buyers.
What’s new?
The GT’s styling and characteristics have been enhanced, whilst the flagship status within the Polo Vivo model range is maintained.
Exterior highlights include silver mirror caps, GT rear decal, wheels and dash inserts as well as GT decals on the front door.
To go with its sporty moniker on the inside, the cloth inserts and stitch colours have been changed from blue to red. New grey stitching on the gear lever and handbrake ties in with grey exterior accents. The Polo Vivo GT refresher will get GT-embroidered branding on loose floor mats.
Interior attributes include front sport seats, aluminium-looking pedals, floor mats (front and rear) and ‘Anthracite’ headlining. Other features include, Cruise Control, Lowered suspension (-15mm) and a black tailgate spoiler.
The Polo Vivo GT is available in five exterior colours, including the new Wild Cherry Red metallic colour. It comes standard with exterior features such as 17-inch Mirabeau wheels, Safety Package, Lights and Vision Package, and a single pipe exhaust with chrome trim.
The power train remains the 1.0 litre TSI 81 kW petrol engine delivering torque of 200 Nm and connected to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Price:
Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT (R332 800).
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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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?
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