Volkswagen has released the first official teaser of the 2021 Polo GTI. The hot version of the subcompact hatchback will sit at the top of the range when it premieres at the end of June. It will follow the traditional recipe, with “high-torque front-wheel drive, dynamically tuned sports chassis and expressive design”, according to the automaker, which will help it “stand out from the crowd”.
The official sketch released by Volkswagen
previews the hot Polo’s Golf GTI-inspired styling. It has a different grille
pattern over the regular variants, with red trim on the lower part and a GTI
emblem on the right side, and a bumper with two fog lamps flanking the central
air intake. The GTI logo also adorns the front fenders, the side skirts appear
to be bulkier and the roof-mounted spoiler seems to be a tad bigger. Model
specific wheels and new paint finishes are expected to be introduced too.
We have yet to take a peek inside, but we
know what to expect: front seats with extra side bolstering and tartan
upholstery, GTI logos on the steering wheel and gear selector, and probably
revised graphics for the infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster.
Promising sportier driving dynamics compared to the rest of the family, the
2021 Polo GTI will likely feature a stiffer and lower suspension and uprated
brakes. The 2.0-liter turbo-four of its predecessor should soldier on. The mill
develops 197 HP and 320 Nm of torque in the outgoing car, which
hits 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, en route to a 237 km/h top
speed.
The 2021 Polo GTI, which has the Ford
Fiesta ST and Hyundai i20 N in its sights, will not launch in North America.
