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The new Polo GTI has been
unveiled, promising to be the
fastest, most focussed and
cleanest performance Polo yet
produced.
The original performance variant
of the Polo was unveiled in 1986
in the form of the G40 Coupé – a
car that mixed a fast-revving,
113 PS, supercharged engine with
a low kerbweight and sharpened
responses.
Fast forward 24 years and the
new Polo GTI bears similarities
with the G40. At its heart is a
1.4-litre TSI engine that uses a
supercharger from idle through
to 3,000 rpm at which point the
turbocharger cuts in to provide
boost. The result is an output
of 180 PS at 6,200 rpm and 184
lbs ft of torque from 2,000 rpm
which, when aligned with a 1,184
kg kerbweight, allows the Polo
GTI to accelerate from rest to
62 mph in 6.9 seconds before
reaching a top speed of 142 mph.
Despite a keen focus on
performance, the new Polo GTI is
capable of delivering 47 mpg on
the combined cycle while
emitting just 139 g/km of CO2.
The TSI engine is linked to a
compact seven-speed, twin-clutch
DSG gearbox that channels drive
through the front axle. In
addition, the Polo GTI is fitted
with the XDS differential, an
electronic cross-axle traction
control system for improved
traction and handling. The XDS
system is a functional extension
of the electronic limited slip
differential (EDL) which is a
part of the standard ESP system.
In
order to sharpen responses, the
Polo GTI is fitted with new
springs and dampers which
results in a 15 mm lower ride
height than the conventional
Polo.
Like its Golf GTI sibling, the
Polo GTI features significant
aesthetic changes. A new front
bumper featuring a deep airdam
is joined by a honeycombe grille
element with horizontal red
strips and a simple GTI badge.
New headlight units complete
with the option of LED running
lights lend the Polo GTI an
imposing new look.
Further back, a subtle sill
extension wraps around the lower
edge of the body while at the
back a new rear bumper features
a small diffuser and a pair of
chrome-tipped exhausts. The
Polo badge is replaced by a
simple ‘GTI’ version.
Finally, a set of 17-inch wheels
identical to those fitted to the
Golf GTI are fitted along with a
set of red brake callipers.
The changes continue inside the
Polo GTI with revised dials, a
new, flat-bottomed GTI steering
wheel complete with small
gearshift paddles and
contrasting red stitching,
aluminium pedals and new,
heavily bolstered front sports
seats finished in tartan trim.
Subtle gloss black trim covers
the centre console while the
headlining is now finished in
black.
The new Polo GTI is due to
arrive in the UK in the summer
at which point pricing and
specification will be announced.
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