Saturday 24th June 2017

New Polo GTI!

Bigger engine, more power and a new platform for the pokiest Polo

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When was the last time you can remember a new car launching with an engine bigger than its predecessor? Not downsized for the sake of emissions, but made larger and more powerful than before. Sure, the latest Polo GTI engine probably will be more efficient than before, though it's still nice to see cubic capacity climb.

Fear not, a manual is also offered

Not so long ago the Polo GTI had a 1.4-litre engine with a supercharger and a turbocharger; that was then replaced a little while back with a 1.8-litre engine, and a manual gearbox returned as well. Now it's up to 2.0-litres and 200hp from 192, matching the Renault Sport Clio and Fiesta ST.

At the moment there's not a great deal of info on the GTI, VW's focus instead on the regular Polo's increased automation, larger dimensions and new technology, but there's enough so far to warrant interest. With the MQB A0 modular platform, the car is now longer, wider and lower, with a wheelbase increase that is said to have pushed the wheels further out to the corners and should improve stability too.

Not going to be short of competition

For the GTI VW is saying there's a standard 'sport chassis' and an optional Sport Select chassis; don't forget the Ibiza Cupra has had adaptive dampers as standard for a while now. Also standard will be the familiar GTI accoutrements including a red grille surround, modest spoilers front and rear, bigger exhaust pipes and new badges. And yes, there's tartan inside. 17-inch wheels are standard, with 18s optional.

VW has launched the Polo for sale in Germany already, so a UK launch presumably isn't far behind. We would expect the GTI to be available at the same time or very soon after, and hopefully at less than £20K too. Let's see!

[WCZ]

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

[Mr Tom]

WCZ said:

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

Underpowered? Really? Probably too much too enjoy on the road... I think that is more power than the mk5/6 golf gti (I think). 200bhp is ample for a small hot hatch

[ukaskew]

WCZ said:

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

That didn't take long. It's a sad day when the performance variant of the second smallest car in the range is described as 'underpowered' with 200hp.

[Drive Blind]

Is the Polo GTI cheerleader guy still about ?

[anonymous-user]

200bhp in a polo?!? fk yeah!!

[Tickle]

Drive Blind said:

Is the Polo GTI cheerleader guy still about ?

I thought that when I seen this too, he loved his polo he did.

[J4CKO]

ukaskew said:

WCZ said:

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

That didn't take long. It's a sad day when the performance variant of the second smallest car in the range is described as 'underpowered' with 200hp.

Indeed, a 200 bhp Polo should be pretty rapid.

Be interesting to see how it fares against the new Fiesta ST.

[HardtopManual]

WCZ said:

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

How much would be "enough"?

[GTEYE]

HardtopManual said:

WCZ said:

No performance pack ? Seems underpowered

How much would be "enough"?

Maybe he was looking for 300hp and £35k list price?

Then it would be a whole different conversation...

Seriously 200hp is just fine for a Polo.....its MEANT to be entry level...

[Vitorio]

VW need 2 litres to put out 200hp reliably?

embarrassing if you ask me, but good news for prospective tune-happy owners

[Deerfoot]

Looks a very tidy package.

I doubt it'll be sub £20,000 though and I'm guessing the Fiesta will provide a slightly better steer...

[kambites]

Mr Tom said:

Underpowered? Really? Probably too much too enjoy on the road... I think that is more power than the mk5/6 golf gti (I think). 200bhp is ample for a small hot hatch

It's near enough the same as the mk5 Golf GTi (which was 197bhp) but it's worth pointing out that it's much the same weight, too.

Plenty quick enough for the sector it's competing it, I'm sure.

[Deerfoot]

Vitorio said:

VW need 2 litres to put out 200hp reliably?

Their dabble with the 180ps 1.4 twincharger unit didn't go too well on the reliability front did it?

[Robmarriott]

It's 20bhp down on the current Golf GTI, how can it be called underpowered?

[Krikkit]

Vitorio said:

VW need 2 litres to put out 200hp reliably?

embarrassing if you ask me, but good news for prospective tune-happy owners

Efficiency and power aren't just about cubic capacity these days...

[M1C]

The engine will be capable of more, sure. It needs to sit under 200bhp to not get too close to the Golf GTI.

To look at....it's so bland! Bland bland bland!

I didn't expect excitement but like....howay.....

[PartOfTheProblem]

It looks huge. I bet its similar to Mk4 Golf in size...?

200bhp sounds plenty too.

[hondansx]

Just don't see the point in cars like this getting ever bigger, just for a smaller model to pop up underneath.

The marketing may as well be "A Golf, with a little less legroom".

[kambites]

PartOfTheProblem said:

It looks huge. I bet its similar to Mk4 Golf in size...?

Bigger in all dimensions, by the looks of it.

[J4CKO]

Vitorio said:

VW need 2 litres to put out 200hp reliably?

embarrassing if you ask me, but good news for prospective tune-happy owners

Jesus, the mind boggles.