Volkswagen has finally unwrap the covers to the latest, fourth generation Polo GTI. It gets a number of changes, most notably the adoption of the 1.8-litre TSI engine. Gone is the 1.4-litre twincharged motor, so let’s get down to the bone and see how good this popular hatch looks on paper.
Purists rejoice, because the Mk4 Polo GTI can now be had with two gearboxes – a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. There’s also the optional Sports Select Suspension kit which electronically alters the damping behaviour.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Polo GTI Mk4 |
| Segment | B-Segment, Compact |
| Engine | 1,798cc, inline-4 direct injected, turbocharged |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual/ 7-speed DSG |
| Max Power | 192 hp @ 5,400 to 6,200 rpm |
| Max Torque | 250 Nm @Â 1,250 to 5,300 (DSG); 320 Nm @ 1,450 to 4,200 rpm (6-spd manual) |
| 0 – 100km/h; Top Speed | 6.7 seconds; 236 km/h (both MT and DSG) |
EXTERIOR
Its exterior design is still very distinctly a GTI, accentuated by a red strip that runs across the grille and into the headlights. It also gets the optional LED powered headlights, the first to ever be offered with the Polo. Front and rear bumpers are more aggressively sculpted, and it sits on the much better looking 17-inch GTI wheels.
At the rear, the Polo GTI gets the variant’s exclusively designed GTI roof spoiler, ‘Dark Red’ tail light clusters and black grained diffuser complemented with dual tailpipes finished in chrome.
INTERIOR
On the inside, the Polo GTI features the leather steering wheel taken from the Mk7 Golf GTI that comes with red stitching. Seats are wrapped in the GTI’s trademark high-quality checkered fabric, while the pedals are given an aluminium finish. Standard features include Driver Alert System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Park Pilot. Housed in the centre console is the head unit with proximity sensor, similar to that found in the Mk7 Golf range.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, the Mk4 Polo GTI is powered by a 1.8-litre direct injected turbocharged engine that replaces the previous 1.4-litre twincharged motor. Despite losing the supercharger, the new engine produces 12 horsepower more, now making 190 hp at 5,400 to 6,200 revolutions. Torque wise, the DSG configurated Polo GTI gets 250 Nm of torque at 1,250 to 5,300 rpm while the manual variant takes up to 320 Nm at 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.
The DSG unit is the same seven-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission, whereas the manual stickshift gets six gearing. Both the DSG and manual Polo are front-wheel driven and manages the century sprint in 6.7 seconds, while reaching a top speed of 236 km/h.
WHAT ELSE?
Early sales of the Polo GTI have already begun in Germany, but the rest of Europe will have to wait till February 2015 for its arrival. It’s no question that the Polo GTI will be brought here, but this time around, will it be offered with a third pedal? The hot hatch field could use another stick shifting entrant to take on the likes of the Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTI. We can’t wait.
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