The new Mk6 Volkswagen Polo GTI has made its motor
show debut at the ongoing IAA 2017 in Frankfurt. The latest Polo GTI is the
performance flagship of the sixth-generation Polo range that surfaced in June
this year. This time, the hot hatch is five-door only, with the three-door
variant dropped.
The new Polo GTI comes with a
bigger and brawnier 2.0 litre TSI engine with 200 PS (outgoing car had 192 PS
from a 1.8 TSI) – now we know that it also has 320 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm,
and that it does 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch
gearbox. Top speed is 237 km/h. A six-speed manual will be available next year.
To compare, the latest Fiesta ST pumps out 200 PS
and 290 Nm of torque, but from a downsized 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo
engine. With a six-speed manual gearbox, it also races from 0-100 km/h in 6.7
seconds. The fast Fiesta is three-door and much smaller in size, though.
Compared to the previous Polo GTI, this new one is
lower and longer, wider and lower, with its wheelbase getting a significant 94
mm bump. For the first time, the Polo GTI, which sits on a shortened MQB
modular platform, gets optional Sport Select active dampers. The standard fixed
sports suspension sits 15 mm lower than the non-GTI spec items.
The hot Polo gets the usual GTI add-ons, including a
unique front bumper design with honeycomb elements, a red stripe that extends
from the grille into the LED headlights, large rear spoiler and dual tail
pipes. 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers and plenty of GTI badging
complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, it gets GTI trademark Clark tartan seats, a
sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching, black rooflining and a GTI
gear knob. A second-generation Active Info Display, Front Assist area
monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Active Cruise Control are
also available, among others tech.
