Volkswagen Derby
The VW Derby was a developed by Audi in Ingolstadt for Volkswagen based on the VW Polo subcompact car that was produced in February 1977 by Volkswagen. The small sedan was a polo notchback basically. The technical basis leading to net sister model Audi 50 The notchback variant persisted through two generations ( I to Polo Polo II ) from spring 1977 to early 1985 the VW program.
VW Derby I (1977-1981)
VW Derby I (1977-1979)
Presented in the spring of 1977 the first version of the Derby corresponded to the B-pillar to its sister model polo. Instead of sloping rear hatchback had the small sedan but one for the class fairly large trunk ( up to 8 water tanks ) with normal trunk lid. The rear seat backs were not folded down.
Also in the engine and equipment corresponded to the Derby the Polo: They were the models Derby, S, L Derby, Derby Derby LS and GLS available. Three different petrol engines, all four-cylinder, were proposed:
- 895 cc, 40 hp (29 kW) at 5900/min.
- 1093 cc, 50 hp ( 37 kW) at 5600/min.
- 1272 cc, 60 hp ( 44 kW) at 5600/min.
All models had a manual four- speed transmission and front wheel drive. In 1981 only offered 1.1 formula E model of the fourth gear was translated particularly long and the engine had to offer a higher torque. Both should serve to fuel savings.
1977 in the first year of production, were 72 412 copies - more than the same period the Polo - sold. After that, the sales figures were soon back significantly.
After nearly five years of construction the end of 1981 the second generation of Derby was presented.
VW Derby II (1981-1985)
VW Derby II (1981-1984)
The second version was created by a fundamental revision. As the Polo also got the Derby plastic bumpers and a new grille. Unlike its sister model, the headlights were this time but rectangular. In addition to new rear lights, there was also a different range of engines:
Also, the 1.1 formula E was maintained until 1983 and from 1984 replaced by the formula E 1.3. They were the models Derby C, CL Derby and Derby GL available.
Once in 1984, only 5,044 copies of the Derby could be sold, it was provided ( simultaneously with the notchback Santana offshoot of the Passat ) in January 1985 with the name of the base model. The Derby was consequently renamed Polo and again got round headlights.
Under the name Derby emerged from November 1981 to January 1985 a total of nearly 370,000 copies.
Successor models
However, the sharp fall in the favor of the customers could not stop the renaming, which is why the Polo sedan was taken in Germany from the program in August 1988. In addition, the offered from October 1990 revised model of the VW Polo II (internal designation 2F) was no longer available in Germany in the sedan, but was only available as a re-import.
It was the successor to Polo III (6N ) was again a notchback variant, the now five-door Polo Classic. This was, however, an optically modified Seat Cordoba, which in turn represented the notchback version of the Seat Ibiza. This shared with the Polo 6N a technical basis, eg the same dashboard. Was not a great success but he also. Nevertheless, Volkswagen also brought on the basis of the Polo IV (9N ), a notchback model on the market. It was a Brazil - import.
Here, too, remained from the success, so this variation disappeared with the facelift of the Polo 9N in May 2005 on the German market. Abroad, the notchback variant, however, continue to be produced and sold.
In Mexico, the Polo Classic is based on the VW Polo 6N, continue to be sold under that name.
Swell
- Werner Oswald: German cars 1945-1990, Vol 3, engine book publishing house, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-02116-1, pp. 68-71 and 104-113.