With the aim of showcasing the customization capabilities and production techniques of the Polo Mk3, In the summer of 1994, Volkswagen dazzled the world with a series of multi-colour Polo units. Which is unprecedented.
So Harlequin Polo was born (also Harlequinin German), Nice multicolor model. The idea wasn’t entirely new: Volkswagen had already used similar tunes in a Beetle from the 1960s, which was used in one of the famous ads for the Doyle Den Bernbach dealership.
In those years, limited editions with striking details – such as stickers, special upholstery and funky color combinations – were popular in Europe, especially among B-segment models that competed with the Polo, such as the Citroën Saxo or Ford Fiesta. To respond to public enthusiasm, Volkswagen has launched a run of 1,000 Polo Harlekin units, with checkered upholstery known as “joker”. Demand was so strong that a second round of 2,800 cars was added.
he The success of the Harlekin in Europe motivated Volkswagen to replicate the idea in other markets. So Golf Harlequin appearedwas produced in 1996 at the Puebla, Mexico factory for the North American market. like pole, I combined four colors (Chagall blue, Genster yellow, Tornado red, and pistachio green) With different patterns and use the same joker fabric on the inside. but, The proposal did not convince American consumers Sales were below expectations. The design was not improvised, but was seen as an eccentric product in a market with more conservative preferences.
in ArgentinaThe idea had its version as well. Under the name Volkswagen Goal Topthe brand was celebrated in 1996 After achieving leadership in sector sales for the first time. This was a landmark event for Volkswagen in the country, with the Jule becoming the automaker’s flagship model for more than a decade.
The highest goal came with The same multi-colored imprint seen on the European Polo, North American Golf, and Brazilian Gol Parati (The country version, later known as Gol Country in our market). Although they all share multiple colors, The “base color” of each unit was determined by the color of the roof and C-pillarWhich characterizes the main tone on which the rest of the pieces are assembled. 80 units were manufactured: 20 blue, 20 green, 20 red and 20 yellow (the latter, a color that was not part of the standard palette), Which then allowed the moving parts to be exchanged between each other.
However, in the Argentine market The suggestion was very disturbing. Gol Top failed to connect with local consumer tastes and began to pile up at dealerships. To facilitate checkout, it was offered at a discount and the buyer was later allowed to repaint it a uniform color. today It is estimated that only six units survive in their original conditionWhile the rest revolves around camouflaged and painted in a single color that hides its original multi-colored spirit.