Say hello to the new Volkswagen Polo GTI

 Three letters, inextricably associated with Volkswagen: GTI (Gran Turismo Injection).

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In the new Polo GTI the engine starter button becomes the trigger for a great driving experience, as the development team has created a style of dynamic handling that facilitates committed driving and yet integrates supreme safety and high levels of comfort.

This alliance of dynamism, safety and comfort is the secret behind the success of the GTI concept and a core characteristic of the new Polo GTI.

Key features include a very agile drive system, low unladen weight  (1,355 kg), firm sports-oriented running gear that is also good for long-distance driving, assured front-wheel drive as well as an ergonomically ideal sitting position.

This is all packaged in an expressive exterior and interior design and topped off with classic GTI insignia such as the typical red stripe in the radiator grille, the GTI gear knob and Art Velour upholstered sport seats.

It is also equipped with a connected and largely digitalised cockpit which makes the Polo GTI, always offered in four-door format, the ideal compact and affordable sports car of a new generation.

GTI front styling. Front end features include an independent bumper with integrated spoiler lip and fog lights as standard. The red stripe in the radiator grille is a classic GTI feature.

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An exclusive feature in the GTI is optional LED headlights with a red winglet; stylistically these are extensions of the red stripe of the radiator grille.

Naturally, its other insignia include the GTI logo as well as the air intakes with a honeycomb structure – at the top in the radiator grille and below this in the bumper.

At the bottom, the new Polo GTI is also differentiated from the less powerful Polo versions by C-shaped black high-gloss air curtains in the bumper.

GTI rear section. The Polo GTI can also be identified by typical GTI characteristics at the rear.

Black is also a stylistic element here; a trait that has carried over from the first Golf GTI of 1976 to the new era.

Today, it is the enlarged, two-piece roof spoiler of the new Polo GTI that is painted in black (high-gloss on top; underside in black matt).

Other GTI characteristics at the rear include a high-gloss black diffuser and the chrome dual tailpipes of the exhaust system integrated on the left-hand side.

Located in a direct line above the tailpipes is the GTI signature on the boot lid. Another standard feature of the Polo GTI is its LED tail light clusters that provide for a very distinctive light signature at night.

GTI side profile. GTI insignia on the car’s flanks include the newly designed 17-inch ‘Milton Keynes’ alloy wheels. The inner areas of the high-sheen wheels are offset in black.

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They are colour co-ordinated on the sides with the matt black sill extensions of the Polo GTI. As an option, the GTI can be ordered with exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels for the first time.

The wheels in ‘Brescia’ design are also high-sheen; their inner area is also painted in high-gloss black.

Regardless of which of the two wheel types is installed, the red painted brake callipers of the powerful brake system are always well visible through the aluminium spokes.

Located on the front wings at the end of the eye-catching three-dimensional tornado line design feature is the red and chrome coloured GTI badge.

GTI colours. There are car colours, and then there are typical GTI colours.

On the Polo GTI, the latter include the body colours Pure White, Flash Red and Deep Black Pearl Effect. In addition, the sportiest Polo can also be ordered in Reef Blue Metallic.

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GTI interior. A highlight of every GTI is its customised interior. Black, red, grey and chrome dominate visually here.

Everything that is not upgraded with red, grey or chrome is always finished in black (trim colour: Titan Black).

Therefore, the roof pillars and roof lining are also black. Red contrast stitching is another typical GTI characteristic of the interior.

It is found around the standard leather multifunction sport steering wheel, the gear shift lever trim, the floor mats and the outer seat surfaces.

The top sport seats, which are ergonomic for practically any driver stature, feature Art Velour upholstery.

Black leather upholstery with seat heating is available as an option.

Numerous chrome details also upgrade the interior (including the steering wheel, gear knob, instrument surrounds, tabs of the air vents, climate controls, pedals and many buttons).

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Also exclusively co-ordinated for the GTI are the decors of the dash panel, centre console and door trims.

The dash panel can be ordered in Deep Iron Metallic or Velvet Red; meanwhile the instruments in the upper dash area are always finished in black. (Velvet Red dash panel trim is not compatible with Flash Red exterior; in this circumstance, Deep Iron Metallic is specified.)

GTI engine and driving performance. Naturally, at the heart of every GTI, and therefore of the new Polo GTI, there is the engine.

In recent times the GTI has always been powered by high torque turbocharged engines. In the case of the new Polo GTI, it is a two-litre direct-injection petrol engine with an output of 147 kW.

Like the Golf GTI, the new Polo GTI will be represented in the 2.0-litre turbo class for the first time. The 1,988 cc engine has a compression ratio of 11.65:1.

The GTI unit delivers its maximum power between 4,400 and 6,000 rpm.

This power plant of the third generation EA888 engine series transmits its maximum torque of 320 Nm to the front wheels at a low 1,500 rpm; this high torque figure stays constant up to a speed of 4,400 rpm – giving the GTI engine a torque curve that is hardly traditional; it features an extremely sporty torque plateau. The new Polo GTI engine launches with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard.

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The Polo GTI with DSG accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. Today’s most powerful Polo reaches a top speed of 237 km/h.

Despite its power output, the Polo GTI can be driven very economically thanks to its efficient drive technology.

The combined fuel consumption of the DSG version is 5.9 l/100 km.

GTI running gear. The Polo GTI is offered with two different running gear configurations. It is based on a sport suspension; while the optional ‘Sport Select’ suspension with active dampers is available as an option. Like all Polo models, the GTI is also equipped with electromechanical power steering and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Also on-board is the XDS differential lock, which further refines traction when cornering quickly.

Basic configuration. The 147kW Polo, which like all GTI cars features front-wheel drive, has coil spring struts and lower wishbones with a track-stabilising scrub radius. The front running gear additionally features an anti-roll bar. The front suspension consists of coil springs with telescopic gas-filled dampers; the elements are integrated in the spring struts. The rear running gear consists of a semi-independent twist-beam suspension with an integrated anti-roll bar. Gas-filled dampers and separate springs provide optimal suspension at the rear.

Sport suspension. The Polo GTI is the only model of the series to be delivered with a sport suspension as standard. The configuration includes special tuning of the springs, auxiliary springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars with the body lowered by 15 mm.

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‚Sport Select‘ suspension and driving profile selection. The new Polo can also be optionally configured with the ‚Sport Select‘ suspension. The driver can vary the characteristic of the active dampers; and one of the two modes – Normal or Sport – can be activated with the driving profile selection that is included as standard in the Polo GTI. The driving profile selection itself offers four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual. Driving profile selection enables the driver to make individual adjustments, within a defined scope, that have direct effects on vehicle handling. Along with its effects on the ‚Sport Select‘ suspension, the profile that is selected also modifies the steering, engine characteristic and gearbox control.

New Active Info Display (optional). The new Polo, and thus the Polo GTI too, are launching as the first Volkswagen and first Volkswagen Group models to feature a new generation of the Active Info Display.

Volkswagen interface designers have systematically advanced the next generation of the Active Info Display (10.25-inch display diagonal) and have elevated its high-quality graphics (133 dpi / resolution 1,280 x 480 pixels) and functional range to new levels.

As a result, the display offers better graphic performance, higher pixel density, greater brightness and contrast, more intense colours and fewer conventional indicator lamps. Using a ‘View button’ on the multifunction steering wheel, the Polo GTI driver can now also switch between three basic layouts, easily and quickly.

A view with two instrument dials, or ‘tubes’: one for the rev counter and one for the speedometer, digital view without dials or digital view without dials with supplemental information.

Supplemental information can be configured via the infotainment system. In addition, the graphics and colour range of the Active Info Display have been fully adapted to each specific model. Thus, for the new Polo GTI, black, white and red colours and graphic elements dominate.

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New cockpit environment. A new, digital and interactive cockpit environment has been created in the interplay of the Active Info Display and the infotainment system. Volkswagen is introducing the latest generation of infotainment systems in the Polo GTI. Specifically, these are the Composition Media (8.0-inch radio-infotainment with CD player) that comes as standard in the Polo GTI and the optional Discover Media (8.0-inch radio-navigation infotainment with CD player).

GTI features. The Polo GTI also offers numerous details as standard. Beyond the  GTI-specific design features, these include additional curtain front and rear, the XDS differential lock, driving profile selection, Composition Media infotainment system, ambient lighting (white), door sill trims with GTI logo, air conditioning, front fog lights and cornering lights, LED tail light clusters, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, floor mats front and rear, electric windows all around with convenience switching, and multifunction display plus. The Polo GTI can also be equipped with an exceptionally large range of optional convenience and assistance systems. Two other optional equipment highlights are the largest panoramic sunroof in its class and Advanced Safety Package (which includes Parallel Park Assist, Park Distance Control, Rear View camera, Blind Spot Detection and Electric Folding mirrors).

Convenience and assistance systems

Blind Spot Monitor. This system can play a role in preventing serious accidents. The Blind Spot Monitor utilises an LED symbol in the outer area of the exterior mirrors to alert the driver to vehicles located in the blind spot alongside the Polo GTI and to vehicles approaching from the rear. As soon as a vehicle is detected, the symbol lights up. If the driver activates the turn indicator in the direction of the detected vehicle the symbol flashes as an additional warning level. Moreover, in this case the system generates a steering pulse that makes it harder to change lanes, thereby reducing the risk of a hazardous lane-changing incident. The system, which is automatically activated from a speed of 30 km/h, uses radar sensors to monitor an area of roughly 20 metres around the vehicle. When the Blind Spot Monitor is ordered, it automatically comes with Rear Traffic Alert, which makes reversing out of parking spaces much safer. Optional as part of the Advanced Safety Package (which includes Parallel Park Assist, Park Distance Control, Rear View camera, Blind Spot Detection and Electric Folding mirrors).

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Rear Traffic Alert. Rear Traffic Alert is offered in combination with the Blind Spot Monitor. Rear Traffic Alert takes much of the risk out of reversing from driveways and parking spaces that are at right angles to the road. The system not only ‘recognises’ stationary or moving vehicles directly behind the Polo GTI, but also vehicles approaching from the side which are not visible to the driver. The radar-based sensor module even detects objects at distances of up to 40 metres and recognises objects moving at speeds of 4 km/h or faster. If a collision is imminent, the system produces an audible warning. If the driver or other road user does not take action to avert the danger, or if there is a risk of immediate collision, the Rear Traffic Alert system automatically activates the car’s brakes.

Driver Alert System. If the Driver Alert System detects waning concentration of the driver, it outputs an audible warning for a duration of five seconds and displays a message in the instrument cluster recommending a break from driving. If the driver does not take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated once.

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Around one-quarter of all accidents that result in personal injury involve multiple collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which is included as standard in the new Polo GTI, can help to avoid secondary collisions or reduce their severity. After an initial collision, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System initiates a braking action – within system limits – even before the driver can react. This can reduce the severity of the accident and ideally prevent secondary collisions.

Driving Profile Selection. In the driving profile selection, the driver can choose from a total of four programs: Eco, Sport, Normal and Individual. In the Eco driving mode engine management, the air conditioning unit and other auxiliary systems are regulated for optimal fuel efficiency. In addition, in vehicles with DSG, a coasting function can be used in Eco mode. If the driver releases the accelerator pedal – on downhill stretches, for example – the DSG disengages and the engine idles. This enables optimal utilisation of the Polo GTI’s kinetic energy. In Sport mode, on the other hand, damping of the active dampers is increased (with the Sport Select suspension), while engine response and DSG shift points are configured to be more dynamic.

Park Assist. Park Assist automatically guides the Polo GTI into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces, and it can also reverse out of parallel parking spaces. The system is activated by pressing a button on the centre console. Using the indicators, the driver selects the side on which the car is to be parked. If Park Assist finds a sufficiently large parking space (40 cm of manoeuvring room, front and rear, suffices), assisted parking can begin. The driver engages reverse gear and only needs to accelerate and brake (an automatic braking function assists in case of insufficient space). The car handles the steering. Optional as part of the Advanced Safety Package (which includes Parallel Park Assist, Park Distrance Control, Rear View camera, Blind Spot Detection and Electric Folding mirrors).

Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator. The Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator utilises the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock brake system (ABS). In case of tyre pressure loss, the rolling radius of the affected wheel decreases, and the wheel turns faster at the same vehicle speed. This allows the system to detect insufficient air pressure, and it warns the driver. However, the Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator does not relieve the driver of the obligation to check tyre pressures.

New Polo GTI price (VAT and emissions tax included)

2.0 TSI 147kW DSG                         R375 900

The new Polo GTI comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 3year/ 45 000km Volkswagen Service and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.