Arriving in late November
Volkswagen Group Australia introduces the latest Hot Hatch to the Volkswagen range and confirms that Australia will be the first country in the world to sell the new Polo GTI.

The new Polo GTI with 110 kW of power is the most powerful Polo built throughout its thirty-year (30) history as a global model. This is the first time a GTI version of the Polo has been offered in the Australian market, but given the phenomenal success of the recently released Golf GTI and the strong performance numbers and dynamics of the new Polo GTI, it is an obvious inclusion.

As with the Golf GTI, the new Polo GTI uses turbo technology to power it. On board is a 1.8 litre, 20 valve, four cylinder turbo charged engine with intercooler producing 110kw and 229 Nm of torque (at 1,950rpm). Given the nimble nature of the new Polo GTI, it can therefore sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 216 km/h. The fourth gear acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h takes a mere 7.5 seconds given the strong torque of this engine.

Exceptional handling dynamics are paramount for any Volkswagen to wear the GTI badge and the Polo GTI has these. The chassis has been given due focus and is 15mm lower than a standard Polo. The GTI is fitted with 205 / 45 / R 16 tyres on the unique GTI alloy wheels to ensure the sporty relationship is continued.

At the same time, safety has not been substituted for performance. With active and passive standard safety features such as 6 airbags, Electronic Brake Pressure Distribution (EBD), Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). A low tyre pressure indicator is also included.

The exterior is distinctly GTI. With the honeycomb grill, dual headlights encased in black, dual chrome exhaust pipe and rear hatch mounted spoiler there is no mistaking the heritage of this car and the relationship it has to its bigger brother.

The interior continues the theme with sports seats incorporating the special GTI checked Interlagos trim, leather sports steering wheel and gear knob, aluminium foot pedals and appropriately placed GTI branding on the seats and steering wheel.

To enhance the unique sporty appeal, the new Polo GTI will be available as a 3 door with a 5 speed manual transmission only. Colours available are Flash Red, Black Magic, Shadow Blue, Reflex Silver and Candy White.

Volkswagen dealers are taking orders now, with the first vehicles arriving in late November. Priced from $26,990, the Polo GTI will appeal to drivers looking for an exiting performer with value in mind.

Source = GCF

Interesting. It has been mentioned that the Golf GTI has delivery waiting lists until a quarter of the way through next year. Maybe this was their effort to let the pressure down, because they can feel it?

It doesn't look too bad, but couldn't they have made it look less like a copy of the Golf GTI? Similarly, couldn't they have called it something else other than "GTI", like GTS or GT (though I think there's a real Polo GT somewhere in Europe)? IMO, it's diluting the GTI name's power.

That said, the power doesn't seem too bad, especially for a small car, and it should be light enough. We will soon see whether the widely lauded driving dynamics of the Golf GTI (see, now every time I type GTI I have to add Golf to make sure people don't get confused!) can be approached, though replicated would be asking too much.

Nevertheless, it might be beneficial for me. I'm keen on the GTI, and shorter waiting lists would be nice. This little car is still a little too small for me.