2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI racetrack test drive

The countdown to the launch of the new Volkswagen Polo GTI is under way. With an output of 141 kW / 192 PS (12 PS more than its predecessor) it comes close to achieving the performance levels of the most powerful series Polo of all time, the R WRC – the road-going version of the Polo that won the World Rally Championship for Volkswagen Motorsport at the first time in 2013.
Now also available with manual gearbox again. With a top speed of 236 km/h the new Polo GTI only falls 7 km/h short of the 162 kW / 220 PS Polo R WRC, which is sold out. Whereas the predecessor of the Polo GTI was only available with an automatic dual clutch gearbox, the new model is now also being offered with a manual gearbox again. With both transmission variants, the new Polo GTI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, just a whisker short of the figure for the Polo R WRC: 0.3 seconds, to be precise. Yet the figures for the new Polo GTI's fuel consumption show just how amazingly efficient it is: 5.6 l/100 km (equivalent to 129 g/km CO2) in conjunction with the 7-speed DSG, and 6.0 litres (139 g/km CO2) with the 6-speed manual variant. And here the Polo R WRC (7.5 l/100 km) is finally overtaken by the new Polo GTI.

The exterior of the Polo GTI features new bumpers, distinctively flared door sills, the GTI logo on the front wing and classic GTI insignia such as the red strips in the discrete radiator grille and headlights which give the car a dynamic appearance. The Polo GTI is also available for the first time with LED headlights (dipped and main beam), and daytime running lights also provided by LEDs. The Polo GTI's sporty appeal is further enhanced by the new alloy wheels with GTI styling (size: 7.5J x 17) through which the gleaming red brake callipers are visible, and the sports suspension, which is also standard equipment. At the rear, the GTI roof spoiler, tail light clusters in 'Dark Red', the black grained diffuser and the chrome dual exhaust tailpipes all continue the sporty theme.

GTI red accentuates the sporty design of the interior, too. The leather sports steering wheel, adapted from the Golf GTI, has contrasting red stitching, as do the gear lever and handbrake lever; the floor mats also feature borders with red beading. Driver and passenger sit on top-class height-adjustable heated sports seats with centre panels upholstered in exclusive 'Clark' cloth (the outer sections are in 'Black' and also have contrasting red stitching). Features such as the instrument cluster with GTI design, black headliner and aluminium-look pedal caps complete the dynamic interior ambience. Also standard: sound actuator, Driver Alert System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and ParkPilot.

'Sport Select' suspension and ESC Sport. For the first time, Volkswagen is offering electronically adjustable dampers in the Polo GTI. These form the core technology basis of the new, optional 'Sport Select' suspension, which for the GTI is always available in conjunction with the 'Sport Performance Kit' (sportier tuning covering a wide range of parameters, all at the push of a button). Naturally, the Polo GTI is equipped with ESC, the electronic stability control system, as standard. This can be adapted for use on the racetrack.

Polo GTI (7-speed DSG): Fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 5.6 / urban 7.2 / extra urban 4.7; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 129; efficiency class: C
Polo GTI (6-speed manual version): Fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 6.0 / urban 7.6 / extra urban 5,1; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 139; efficiency class: D
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