Is this the 2021 VW Polo facelift or a mule for the all-new 2022 Skoda Fabia?
Despite the growing popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the Volkswagen Polo remains one of the brand's best sellers in Europe.
In 2019, it was the third best-selling model in Europe behind the VW Golf and Renault Clio. However, sales have been declining since 2018, the sixth generation Polo's first full year on the market. Back then, the subcompact hatchback posted 295,403 sales, followed by a drop to 257,804 sales in 2019.
As expected given the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, sales for the first eight months of 2020 have dropped sharply to 106,994 units and it is highly unlikely that the Polo will manage to end the year with more than 150,000 sales. That would make 2020 the worst year for the Pole in Europe since 1997, when accurate sales statistics began.
Also read: VW temporarily stops receiving new orders for Polo GTI due to "high demand"
Against this background, VW is preparing a mid-cycle update for the sixth-generation Polo, which was launched in the summer of 2017. When we first saw these spy photos taken in the Alps, we naturally assumed the test prototype with a camouflaged front. It was Polo 2021.
However, there is also a good chance that it is actually a mule for the next generation Skoda Fabia, which the company's new CEO recently confirmed. Why do we say that? Well, the next generation model will use the current MQB-A0 platform of the Polo, so the body of the Polo is the most logical choice for a test mule. Another reason is that this particular prototype featured Czech Republic license plates (censored in these images), while VW prototypes almost always have German license plates. On top of that, one of the photographers told us that the test pilot spoke Czech.
If this isn't the Fabia and it's actually the 2021 Polo, it looks like most of the changes will be made to the front, where there's a new bumper with a larger lower grille and new vertical vents on the sides. Unless the camouflage fools us, we can't detect any changes made to the headlights and grille. Mind you, VW will likely make modifications to these items and add the new logo as well, although this particular car features the old logo on the back.
The car looks identical to the 2020 model when viewed from the side, while the rear also appears unchanged. It's safe to assume the 2021 Polo will have revised graphics for the taillights and a refreshed bumper.
Inside, the VW Polo looks intact for the moment, but the infotainment system should receive some software updates. As for the engine range, it is likely to remain largely the same, unless VW decides to add mild hybrid assistance to the 1.0-liter TSI and 1.5-liter TSI engines.
The refreshed VW Polo will be launched early next year in Europe, while the new Skoda Fabia will arrive before the end of 2021.
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