VW unveils next gen Polo GTI

VW unveils next gen Polo GTI

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Here comes another debut slated for what surely is set to be an eventful Geneva Motor Show – the new Volkswagen Polo GTI. The outgoing version of the Polo GTI, which was officially sold in Malaysia for RM140k with manual transmission, had a 178hp 1.8-litre blown four-pot. That has been ditched, and is now replaced by the 1.4-litre TSI engine good for the same output, but consuming 25% less fuel in the process.

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Featuring direct injection, turbocharging and supercharging, the EU5-compliant TSI motor produces its peak power at 6,200rpm, but its maximum torque of 250Nm is usefully available from a near-idling 2,000rpm until 4,500rpm, ensuring a very flexible driving characteristic. Equipped with the VW Group’s famous DSG, this iteration of the Polo GTI, VW claims, has a rated fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres/100km, down from 7.9 in the outgoing model.

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Available in three and five-door variants, VW quotes a kerb weight of 1,194kg, which we believe applies to the former. Along the straights, the Polo GTI hits the century mark on the speedo in 6.9 seconds from rest, and tops out at 229kph. The chassis consists of MacPherson struts up front teamed up with a semi-independent rear suspension. Shod with 215/40 R17 tyres, the Polo GTI sits 15 mm closer to ground than standard versions of the Polo.

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It is not short on electronics either. ABS goes without saying, and it is packaged into the ESP programme which contains other features such as hill hold control, Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), engine drag torque control (MSR), and electronic differential lock (EDS). The final piece in the Polo GTI’s electronic arsenal is the XDS transverse diff lock, which is essentially an extension of EDS. Standard equipment, the XDS acts based on sensor input of steering wheel angle, yaw rate, and wheel speed, appropriately braking the inner wheel in corners to kill off understeer.

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See also: Polo GTi – Pocket Rocket!

1 COMMENT

  1. the new polo gti doesn’t have 7 speed DSG as claimed. why treat malaysians such a way?

    RM138k w/o DSG. i’ll pass tis baby.

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