Simoneit Racing uncorks 320hp from Polo GTI

Concerned the latest fast Polo is a bit staid? More power than a Golf R should help...

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 1 August 2019 / Loading comments

Given what's happened in the hot hatch sector since the end of 2017 - the Yaris GRMN, the new Fiesta ST, another Mini JCW - it can be easy to forget that the Polo GTI is actually quite decent. It won't set the world alight, but then it's not meant to. Sadly, with the promised manual gearbox never materialising - plus VW hot hatch attention focussed on the Up and Golf TCR - there's been precious little for enthusiasts to get excited about with the Polo GTI.

Simoneit Racing is hoping to change that with its latest project car. You might remember the name from its 500hp Leon ST, the work wrought on this Polo seemingly just as thorough. Apparently the difficulty with Polo GTI tuning is in the software, the MG1/MD1 control units believed to be uncrackable - we'd guess this is something to with WLTP regs.

Anyway, Simoneit has defied the doubters, creating Polo GTI "performance enhancements based on precisely these control units." The most potent of which is the Stage 3+ kit, costing €9,000 and boasting 320hp and 317lb ft; naturally more than just software is required for this, Stage 3+ also boasting a new turbo, intercooler and exhaust as well.

Arguably of more relevance to casual enthusiasts are the Stage 1 and Stage 1+ packages, the former yielding 245hp/302lb ft and the latter 250hp/313lb ft. They probably represent better value as well, at €598 and €698 respectively. That Stage 1+ peak torque is 100lb ft more than is available from a Clio Trophy, too, which sounds like fun.

The car seen here comes with the full kit, kaboodle and kitchen sink, including KW Clubsport suspension, a pair of Recaro Pole Positions with Sabelt harnesses, ATS 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sports and a Wiechers roll cage. The price? €11,630, including tax. Ouch. Add that onto the Stage 3 pack and that's €20k of modifications on a Polo GTI - not really practical for most people. But if those Stage 1 ECU packs are available in the UK, Polo GTIs are currently on offer secondhand for £17k; sounds like a very simple way to make the Polo just a bit more peppy.