Volkswagen Polo I 0.9
Volkswagen pared the Audi 50 idea down to the essentials and created a 685-kilogram hatchback with room for four.
1975 Volkswagen Polo I 0.9 · Volkswagen · CC BY-SA 4.0
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More than a set of wheels.
Volkswagen presented the first Polo in Geneva in March 1975 and began German sales in early May. It shared its basic design with the pricier Audi 50, but simpler trim and a single 895 cc engine made the Polo a new entry point below the Golf. The base N cost DM 7,500.
Look a little closer.
Volkswagen's own history calls out the base car's wire loop accelerator pedal—an extreme example of its 'only what is needed' equipment philosophy.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
An Audi idea at a Volkswagen price
The Polo was technically based on the Audi 50, introduced in 1974, and the bodies were nearly identical. Volkswagen simplified trim and launched only the 0.9-litre engine at first. That made a modern front-drive hatchback available at a lower price without needing a completely separate design.
Source: Volkswagen Newsroom · 50 years of Polo ↗Small outside, useful behind the tailgate
Although only about 3.5 metres long, the Polo carried four people and luggage. Folding the rear bench opened as much as 900 litres of cargo space. The large hatch and squared roof made the tiny car more adaptable than a small two-door saloon with a separate boot.
Source: Volkswagen Newsroom · Polo I ↗Where these facts come from
- Volkswagen Newsroom · 50 years of Polo
- Volkswagen Newsroom · Polo I history
- Volkswagen Newsroom · Polo I engine versions
- Volkswagen Newsroom · Polo I vehicle data
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.