Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Officially Official: Volkswagen Polo GTI, 177 hp, 40 mpg and plaid seats!

Volkswagen has fleshed out its latest generation Polo lineup with the introduction of a new GTI variant. This latest GTI has the same output as the last hot Pol,o but now produces it on one-quarter less petrol. Each and every one of its 177 horsepower now comes from VW's twin-charged 1.4-liter TSI inline-four with direct injection, a turbocharger and a mechanical supercharger. The combined fuel efficiency goes from 29.8 miles per gallon to 39.9 mpg on the EU test cycle.

The Polo GTI gets a similar rounded five spoke wheel design to its big brother, the Golf GTI, along with the obligatory red brake calipers and trim on the grille. Note, too, that this is the first Polo to get LED eyeliner running lamps and corner markers along with bi-xenon headlamps. In proper GTI fashion, the seats are covered in a plaid fabric just like the originals of three decades ago. In fact, with the growth of the Golf over six generations, this Polo is actually almost the same size as the original Golf.

Interestingly, the Polo GTI only comes with the quick shifting seven-speed DSG gearbox and sprints to 62 miles per hour in just 6.9 seconds, and handling will be aided by VW's electronic differential lock, which is said to reduce oversteer.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-...en-polo-gti-3/

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/10/o...0-mpg-and-pla/

balutsc300

iTrader: (1)

ughh if this only came out while i was looking for a car . Is there any plans on bringing this hot hatch over to the states?

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

this is one car i wouldnt mind buying.

Mister Two

The European test cycle usually results in very inflated fuel economy figures. Regardless, 0-62mph in 6.9 secs with such efficiency is pretty awesome indeed. Too bad I've heard too many horror stories of the fragile DSG.

balutsc300

iTrader: (1)

haha yea so glad i didn't go for the dsg, i hear people stall while going uphill with the dsg :O

bagwell

did you post pics of your car somewhere?

really like the GTI, especially in white!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

I think 40 gallons on the European scale = about 33MPG in America, if I did my calculation correctly. If that is the correct number, then it is competitive with some other 4 cylinders, but not necessarily a standout.

Mister Two

Sounds about right, but considering the performance spec of 0-62mph in 6.9 secs, it is still quite a standout.

DustinV

Beautiful. I've never much turned around and looked at the older Polo's here, but the new model is an absolute stunner, even in normal guise.

The GTI version is, naturally, even more stunning. Beautiful car.

But I believe a normal TDI version would meet my needs.

mmarshall

Obviously, the GTI will have appeal to VW enthisiasts, but VW, IMO, should also consider bring over a Polo TDI. Not that the GTI's mileage is bad by any means (30-40 MPG EPA is pretty darn good), but the TDI would give you the best of both worlds....even better mileage (probably close to 60 on the highway), and lots of low-RPM torque. And the TDI, unlike larger Bluetec Mercedes/BMW diesels, doesn't require urea-solution refills.

Now, for the Corrado................We're waiting.

Blackraven

A small 4-cylinder common-rail diesel engine will not require additive to meet your emission requirements over there.

The problem though that I see lies in at least two things:

1) Price of diesel over there in your country
This Polo TDI would make sense in areas in your country where diesel is cheaper than or at most same price with unleaded (like in Utah)

But in areas where diesel is more expensive than unleaded (like most fuel pumps/stations in California and Nevada), this would be very difficult and will diminish the cost savings.

2) Availability of diesel fuel in stations
Of my three weeks of visiting your country (California, Nevada, Utah), I did notice that only select fuel stations carry diesel fuel. Hence, your options are limited as to where you can top-up or refuel your diesel vehicle.

Obviously, this would change if ALL fuel pumps and stations in your country will have diesel fuel.

So yeah, just my two cents on that but I do hope that VW would have the sense to make such a move (just like they did with the Jetta TDI over there).

-J-P-L-

It would be a shame if they didn't bring this over to the US.

If not, I assume the reasoning is that it will be too expensive for such a compact car which Americans still aren't comfortable with. Most still associate size with cost. That said, the Mini has been able to thrive with a relatively high price but I think it's more due to Mini's unique characteristics.