VW LAUNCHES POLO GTI

Pocket rocket

Volkswagen has unveiled first details and images of the most powerful production Polo to date, the new Polo GTI. It makes its international debut at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

The hottest Polo will be powered by the 1.8-litre turbo-charged petrol engine already seen in other Volkswagen cars. In this car, the engine will produce almost 150bhp and torque of 162lb-ft, bringing 62mph up from rest in 8.2 seconds with a top speed of 134 mph.

In homage to the Golf GTI, it gets 16-inch alloys, red brake calipers, polished exhaust tail pipes, rear spoiler, a 15mm lower stance on sports suspension and the GTI logo on a honeycomb style-grille.

On the inside, sports seats and aluminium detailing sit alongside black and red stitched seat belts and a three-spoke leather covered steering wheel.

Pricing, performance and detailed UK specification will be announced closer to launch, said VW.

VW clearly positions the car as an entry-level for those wanting to graduate to the well-received Golf GTI -- although the insurance men might make ownership a tad prohibitive for those of a younger persuasion...