Side shot of the Polo Mk3 Harlequin Edition

The Polo Mk3 Harlequin Edition: The real car behind our ‘completely made up’ ID.3

If you’re reading this, it might be because you’ve seen our Electroluminescent ID.3 Harlequin Edition. It would be hard not to, it’s completely made up of contrasting colour panels using electroluminescent paint that pulses in time with the car’s sound system.

The truth is, we completely made it up for April Fool’s Day. It was just a bit of fun. But, back in 1995, things were a little more serious.

Nearly three decades ago, The Polo Mk3 Harlequin Edition went into production. Its story is one that feels accidental, and its popularity was definitely unexpected.

Polo harlequin

So, what’s the story behind the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin Edition?

It’s interesting to note that Volkswagen never planned for the Polo Harlequin to be produced. All we really wanted to do was launch the new Polo Mk3.

The Harlequin was actually born out of the need for a sales tool to showcase the new Polo’s modularity and personalisation options, and support Polo’s advertising strapline at the time, ‘Small can be so versatile’.

Legend has it that a bunch of trainees came up with the idea of creating a fleet of ten muti-coloured Polos in 1994 to demonstrate at the modular system better than any brochure could.

When the colourful Polos were revealed at motor shows, the public seemed genuinely disappointed that it wasn’t a genuine car. It created quite an unexpected demand. Volkswagen, not being a brand to disappoint, dutifully obliged and produced a run of 1,000 Polo Mk3 Harlequins, or as they were called across most of the European market, Harlekins, in 1995.

The rest is history

In total, it’s believed that 3,806 were manufactured over a three-year period. What began as a car show gimmick, grew to become the muti-coloured maverick that continues to turn heads and split audiences today.

Next steps

See the Polo for yourself

The Golf Evolution

Next steps

Important information :

^If you are selecting a Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID.7 Tourer or ID.Buzz then prices shown are the MDP (Manufacturer's Direct Price).  This is the price set by Volkswagen which you pay for the vehicle.  Volkswagen ID vehicles are sold by Volkswagen UK, a trading division of Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited (please note that you will need to visit an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK) to order, purchase and take delivery of your Volkswagen ID vehicle).  The MDP includes delivery to an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK), number plates, new vehicle registration fee, the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty and VAT (calculated at 20%).  You can find out more about the Volkswagen model for selling ID vehicles by clicking https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/legal/mdp-explained.html.

If you are selecting any other Volkswagen vehicle (excluding the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID.7 Tourer or ID.Buzz) then prices listed are Manufacturer’s ‘On the road’ Recommended Retail Price. Actual prices are set by Volkswagen authorised retailers in their sole discretion – always obtain these prices from your chosen Volkswagen Retailer.  Recommended On-The-Road (OTR) retail prices include: delivery charge, number plates, new vehicle registration fee, the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty and VAT (calculated at 20%). Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information above. Prices are taken from the Volkswagen website - this website contains a large number of products and it is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the products listed may be incorrectly priced. Volkswagen may change prices at any time (this includes where there are government changes in regulation and/or legislation). There may be a delay to any price displaying correctly on our materials and it is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some vehicles may be incorrectly priced. Always check prices with your local retailer.

Please be advised we may not be able to provide valuations for vehicles which are outside certain age or mileage ranges, specialist or customised, or not registered in the UK. The actual sale price is dependent on a number of additional factors, which you can discuss further with your retailer. T&Cs will apply.