Volkswagen has just issued these first photos of the new 2010 Polo GTI. It uses the 1.4-litre TSI engine with turbo- and supercharging to liberate a stocky 178bhp – enough to make the Polo GTI into a proper little pocket rocket.The first hot Polo was the supercharged G40 of 1986, but that developed a relatively weedy 112bhp. The new 2010-spec Volkswagen Polo GTI is powerful enough to hit 62mph in 6.9sec and reach a 142mph V-max. Nibbling at the heels of the VW Golf GTI Mk6, then...
VW Polo GTI (2010): what's new
As well as sporting the VW Group's latest TSI engine, the hot Polo has a raft of engineering mods. The XDS electronics – as on the Golf GTI – act as a stability control system to cope with the 184lb ft torque wave from 2000-4500rpm, in a bid to prevent the steering wheel having a mind of its own under heavy acceleration.
Springs and dampers are uprated, the ride is 15mm lower than stock Polos and the only transmission available at launch in August 2010 will be VW's dry-clutch seven-speed DSG twin-clutch 'box.
There's no mistaking the Polo hot hatchback for anything other than a GTI: those 17in telephone dial alloys are identical to its big brother's, and the steering wheel has taken a tumble with a flat bottom as is the fashion these days in go-faster VW Group products. Tartan seats are available, too.
When can I buy the new Volkswagen Polo GTI?
Production starts in June 2010, with first UK deliveries due in August 2010. Expect a price tag approaching £18,000 and both three- and five-door bodystyles. A grown-up GTI in every respect, it seems.
