The 2021 Polo GTI has been unveiled just two months after the other facelifted versions of the subcompact hatch. Beginning with the exterior, the Polo GTI features the same styling changes as the standard models, with the Honey-I-Shrunk-The-Golf looks making it slightly more challenging to differentiate from its bigger brother. That means new head and tail lights, which include VW’s new IQ.Light LED matrix headlights and illuminated front grille. At the back, you’ll find Audi-esque lighting, including dynamic turn signals and an “animated brake light.”
Other visual cues include revised GTI-specific bumpers, and of course, its fair share of GTI insignias dotted around the exterior, with the rear centrally-placed “Polo” badge replaced with a GTI instead. Up front, the characteristic red line of the GTI on the grille bleeding into the headlights is still there.
Under the hood, things have stayed largely the same, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot delivering 207 PS and 320 Nm of torque, the same as the outgoing model, powering the front wheels. It’s good enough for a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. As expected, the 2021 Polo GTI still comes with a lowered suspension and an electronic differential. Also optional is VW’s “Sport Select” suspension, which can firm up the ride in conjunction with standard drive select profiles that take care of steering, engine response, and gearbox shifts. The gearbox remains a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch unit.
Fans of the GTI’s hallmark tartan interiors can rest easy, as the 2021 Polo GTI retains the look and offers optional sports seats. The dash trim is now finished in glossy red, while multiple matte-chrome accents abound. The most significant change, though, is the inclusion of VW’s new infotainment system, with a hi-res 8.0-inch touch screen as standard. Customers also have the option of upgrading to the 9.2-inch “Discover Pro” system, while the new features of these revised systems include access to streaming services, the ability to save driver profiles to the cloud, and wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For the first time, the 2021 VW Polo GTI includes partial autonomous driving features under the umbrella of VW’s IQ.Drive. You get various options, including predictive adaptive cruise control, lane assist, radar, and more. As yet, there’s no word on European availability nor prices, but the new Polo is expected to hit showroom floors in the coming months.
