2011 VW Polo GTI first photos – 17.02.2010
The first photos and details have been released of the new 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI. The fifth generation hot hatch will appear as both a three- and five-door when it gets its official unveiling in Geneva next month.
Engineers used both the twin-charged 1.4-liter TSI engine and seven-speed DSG transmission from the Seat Ibiza Cupra. With steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters on the GTI, like the Spanish car, the engine utilizes a supercharger from idle to 3,000 rpm at which point the turbocharger kicks in providing 180 PS (132 kW / 178 hp) at 6,200 rpm and 184 lbs ft (249 Nm) of torque from 2,000 rpm.
0-62 mph arrives in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 142mph (229 km/h). Ride height has been dropped by 15mm, so the 17-inch wheels will look a bit snug. Stiffer springs make the suspension tighter and the car will feature the same XDS differential as the Cupra, which electronically replicates a limited slip diff.
Like the Golf GTI, the Polo GTI has a black honeycomb grille ringed in red, dual tailpipes, flat-bottom steering wheel, and plaid cloth. To be fair, the Polo’s tailpipes are conjoined on the left side, instead of on opposite sides. This car looks to also make use of LED daytime lights.
We know many of you have been waiting for this car for quite some time. The question is, with the mild styling, similar Golf GTI features in and out, and near-identical specs to the Ibiza Cupra, did VW miss the mark?
Leave a comment below, and let us know if you would spend £18,000 on this car when it hits the British market in August.
Press Release (Click to expand)
FAST, CLEAN AND SHARPER THAN EVER: NEW POLO GTI UNVEILED
The new Polo GTI has been unveiled, promising to be the fastest, most focussed and cleanest performance Polo yet produced.
The original performance variant of the Polo was unveiled in 1986 in the form of the G40 Coupé – a car that mixed a fast-revving, 113 PS, supercharged engine with a low kerbweight and sharpened responses.
Fast forward 24 years and the new Polo GTI bears similarities with the G40. At its heart is a 1.4-litre TSI engine that uses a supercharger from idle through to 3,000 rpm at which point the turbocharger cuts in to provide boost. The result is an output of 180 PS at 6,200 rpm and 184 lbs ft of torque from 2,000 rpm which, when aligned with a 1,184 kg kerbweight, allows the Polo GTI to accelerate from rest to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 142 mph.
Despite a keen focus on performance, the new Polo GTI is capable of delivering 47 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 139 g/km of CO2.
The TSI engine is linked to a compact seven-speed, twin-clutch DSG gearbox that channels drive through the front axle. In addition, the Polo GTI is fitted with the XDS differential, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling. The XDS system is a functional extension of the electronic limited slip differential (EDL) which is a part of the standard ESP system.
In order to sharpen responses, the Polo GTI is fitted with new springs and dampers which results in a 15 mm lower ride height than the conventional Polo.
Like its Golf GTI sibling, the Polo GTI features significant aesthetic changes. A new front bumper featuring a deep airdam is joined by a honeycombe grille element with horizontal red strips and a simple GTI badge. New headlight units complete with the option of LED running lights lend the Polo GTI an imposing new look.
Further back, a subtle sill extension wraps around the lower edge of the body while at the back a new rear bumper features a small diffuser and a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts. The Polo badge is replaced by a simple ‘GTI’ version.
Finally, a set of 17-inch wheels identical to those fitted to the Golf GTI are fitted along with a set of red brake callipers.
The changes continue inside the Polo GTI with revised dials, a new, flat-bottomed GTI steering wheel complete with small gearshift paddles and contrasting red stitching, aluminium pedals and new, heavily bolstered front sports seats finished in tartan trim. Subtle gloss black trim covers the centre console while the headlining is now finished in black.
The new Polo GTI is due to arrive in the UK in the summer at which point pricing and specification will be announced.
