VW launches Polo GTI
Pocket rocket pays homage to Golf 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...
However, the 1.8T is quite tunable so I bet it won't be that long until you see ones with much more power than that.
Still, while it only has 150bhp in standard form, that engine has been taken up to 225bhp by Audi for the TT and S3 and an aftermarket tuner such as MTM could probably get even more. You could easily turn this car into somethinga lot quicker, chasis permitting...
Doesn't say which gearbox you get (6 spd preferebly).
The Clio and 206 have more grunt in standard trim but the turbo will make this car a great basis for modifiers.
Who cares about weight in an every day car? You can't take stuff down the tip in a TVR or Elise - unless it is to dump a TVR or Elise - or take your mates out for the night etc... A 911 has no rear access. The original Mini was incredibly light but any motorway journey is a nightmare.
As per power. 150bhp ain't much, but it isn't about raw speed, it's about chassis capability as well. I'd rather have a car with half the power and twice the involvement than a car that was quick on paper but dull as ditch water to drive.
Still, since it's a VAG, it'll probably be slow AND dull so not much hope!?!?
Still, chip it and it'll be fun in a straight line, wow!
Dave
Then you get a car the same size, that looks better, uses less petrol, goes round corners and does 60 in 6.5 seconds. Oh, and will hardly depreciate at all.
Not convinced by some of VW's recent efforts.
alextgreen said:
The same money will net you a really tidy MK2, G60 brakes, Coilovers and a 1.8T conversion from Scorpion. With change to get it on track a LOT of times.
Then you get a car the same size, that looks better, uses less petrol, goes round corners and does 60 in 6.5 seconds. Oh, and will hardly depreciate at all.
Not convinced by some of VW's recent efforts.
£18k for a 16 year old golf with an engine transplant? Where do I sign?
paulie-mafia said:
an aftermarket tuner such as MTM could probably get even more.
AMD do a 460hp upgrade for the S3 (it is a tad expensive though)
www.amdtechnik.com/product.details.cfm?ProductID=191&VariantID=41&ReferenceID=608
. catso said:
paulie-mafia said:
an aftermarket tuner such as MTM could probably get even more.
AMD do a 460hp upgrade for the S3 (it is a tad expensive though)
<a href="www.amdtechnik.com/product.details.cfm?ProductID=191&VariantID=41&ReferenceID=608">www.amdtechnik.com/product.details.cfm?ProductID=191&VariantID=41&ReferenceID=608</a>
a tad?, might as well have just bought a more powerful car to start with.
>> Edited by YamR1,V64motion on Friday 7th October 17:12
I am surprised they did not put a FSI engine in. This would then be very different!
mk1fan said:
Who cares about weight in an every day car? You can't take stuff down the tip in a TVR or Elise - unless it is to dump a TVR or Elise - or take your mates out for the night etc... A 911 has no rear access. The original Mini was incredibly light but any motorway journey is a nightmare.
My point being that my Pug205 will out perform that and only has 130bhp and has 4 seats and a boot. To have 20bhp more and still be slower..? I know the Pug ain't heavy (about 900kg) but still it has 20bhp more and the torque from the 1.8T is good as well. My guess is that it must be heavier than a Pug 306 to go that slow and it is mean't to be a small car!!!!!!
Rob
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