Friday 7th October 2005

VW launches Polo GTI

Pocket rocket pays homage to Golf GTI

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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...

[AndyWoodall]

Promising, although the strange black plastic around the lights looks a bit odd. Think this car will look much better in black. Other than that, I like it. Not as special looking as my Lupo GTi, but yeah, I'd have one of those I think.

According to Germancarfans it will be around €18,000, which I'll believe when I see it.

[mojocvh]

Yawnfest, any run of the mill, serial tuned TDI 100 (try 151 ish)will piss all over it. Even with the standard "sports suspension" a sticky set of boot will also screw it in the corners.

Nice trim tho'

MoJo.