Volkswagen is promising a sharper and more agile driving experience from the new 197bhp and 147mph Volkswagen Polo GTI, compared with the more mature driving manners of the Golf GTI.
“The Polo GTi is shorter, lighter and better to drive,” said Volkswagen’s small car line director, Ralf Kölling. “The Golf has performance more oriented to the highway, the Polo GTI is more agile for a really good drive. The shorter wheelbase than the Golf gives the Polo that extra feeling of agility."
Volkswagen testing 300bhp Polo R prototypes
Kölling and his team have been working on the Polo GTI for three-and-a-half years, helped by the green light from Volkswagen high-ups just six months after work began on the latest Polo.
“We decided early in the project that we wanted a GTI version of the Polo and that has helped with having space under the bonnet for the bigger engine,” said Kölling.
Power for the new Polo GTI comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit with peak output of 197bhp and 236lb ft. The previous Polo GTI made 190bhp from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit.
Peak torque is developed with a flat curve between 1500rpm and 6000rpm and is understood to deliver a solid surge of performance in the mid-range.
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bizarre
If you're buying a car on its looks, a hatchback is not what you want, 3drs or not
It is if your taste is different to yours...
I had a few MK1 Golf GTIs back in my youth and I loved them. I'm in my mid 40s now and when I saw a new, bright red, 3 door Polo GTI, complete with manual gearbox and tartan seats, it took my right back to my youth. I had to get one so I did.
People choose cars for different reasons. I chose the Polo GTI as it made me feel 17 again. Sadly, I don't look it.
Now, if Citroen could build a new 2cv, I'd be interested in one of those... blue, lowered... Just like my old one. The roads would be dull if we all liked the same car.
3dr
On the Fiesta it saves £625, some weight too
what possible advantage is a 3dr???
Sure it saves a bit of weight but there is no practical advantage whatsoever.
In my eyes the 3 door looks better...
and that's not just the Polo but any small car. I don't need a 5 door second car as we have a Passat estate, also.
Our solution to what appears to be many car manufacturers dropping the 3 door version of their small cars is to order a new MX5 in the new year.