WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen's new-generation Polo GTI will make its public debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March, with the first deliveries expected to begin to European customers in early summer. Prices should start at the equivalent of about $28,000.
VW released initial images of the three-door Polo GTI that will bow in Geneva. A five-door variant is also anticipated.
The new Polo GTI shares its 177-horsepower 1.4-liter TSFI, seven-speed DSG transmission and XDS electronic front differential with the VW Group's Seat Ibiza Cupra. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph is estimated at less than 6.9 seconds, with top speed electrically limited to around 140 mph.
VW has lowered the suspension by 0.6 inch and uprated springs and dampers. The company has also fitted 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile tires.
The cockpit features checked cloth seats, a full gauge pack and, as in the Golf-based GTI, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel.
Inside Line says: Let's hope the hot Polo GTI makes it across the pond, along with its more sedate sibling. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
10:10 AM, 06/07/2010
some facts.
Golf GTI 24k to start 2 liter direct injected turbo four cylinder , 200hp/207 ft lbs, 3200 lbs, 23-32mpg, fully independent rear suspension 2 door or 4 door ,6spd manual or 6 spd DSG auto.
Polo GTI ~ 19k to start. 2door or 4 door, 1.4 liter turbocharged and supercharged 4 cylinder 178 hp/184 ft lbs, ~2700 lbs, semi trailing arm rear suspension, ~33-40 mpg, 7 spd DSG auto ( no manual trans) 7/8th the size of the Golf GTI.
Not much in common except both made by VW and are GTI's and have similar design cues ( seats,steering wheel, alloy wheels). They wont compete as some will want bigger and some will not
ateixeira says:
12:56 PM, 03/04/2010
I like it - small, light, sporty.
They have to figure out a way to price it like a Fit Sport, though. Maybe a grand or two more, but that's it.
juan_mx says:
08:38 AM, 02/23/2010
vwaudiman,
You have to consider that the prices of cars are high in Europe due to the taxes.
When the cars come to America they are cheaper because they pay less taxes.
As an example, the Seat Altea (a compact MPV based on the Golf V) is sold in Mexico imported from Spain with the 1.4TSI engine (125hp, turbocharger, but no supercharger).
The price in Mexico is about $15,500 after taxes.
In Spain, where it is manufactured, the same version costs around $24,500 (at $1.35 per Euro).
There may be a few differences in equipment (better radio), but nothing to justify the $9,000 overprice, it is just taxes.
vwaudiman says:
05:27 AM, 02/21/2010
The problem with that jm1212 is that the 2.5 five cylinder is the cheapest engine that VW group makes, and the Golf and Jetta are already the most expensive in the class. I know in europe the 1.4 DI turbo is the base petrol engine ,but the base price of a golf is about 15,000 pounds thats about 30 to 35,000 US-canada base. I dont think that engine can come over and keep the price out of GTI turf. Europeans are willing to pay a price for that tech that North Americans would only laugh at.
jm1212 says:
02:03 PM, 02/18/2010
if we dont get the Polo GTI, we should at least get the einge it has for the Golf...i am a VW fan, and even i can admit the 5-cylinder engine wasn't the best idea VW has had. that said, the new 2.0T engine that was recently revised has proved to be very fuel efficient (according to CR), getting 27 mpg with a manual. with the DSG, mpg will probably identical or even better. bringing over the 1.4T to the US and putting it in the Golf/ Jetta Sportwagen and next generation jetta sedan could possibly make those cars much more fuel efficient and therefore much more appealing in this market.
eldaino2 says:
12:15 PM, 02/18/2010
thats a good point compressor,
however, the same can be said of any manufacturer..i'm sure the yaris and fit steal some corolla and civic sales, but there is enough folks still buying the larger of the two for plenty of reasons.
compressor says:
12:05 PM, 02/18/2010
I agree that the Polo GTI adn Golf GTI don't really compete, just as the Golf won't really compete against the Polo.
But, if I was a manufacturer whose customers were trying to decided between 1 of my 2 choices, I would be happy. I would have to think that the amount of sales "stolen" from the Golf GTI would be small enough to allow VW to still makes end meet on the Golf.
eldaino2 says:
11:12 AM, 02/18/2010
juan:
sorry, you were the only one making any sense.
eldaino2 says:
11:12 AM, 02/18/2010
actually, you are ALL wrong.
would a honda fit si steal sales from the civic si just because the fit si would be more indicatvie of what civic si's USED to be?
no.
because some people want a bigger car. period. and even with that level of power, the gti is still faster, even though edmunds drivers dont know how to make it so, while virtually every other auto journalism testers can.
these cars are in two different segements. people wanting a golf GTI would BUY a golf GTI. the polo is noticeably smaller.
umiami350z: the golf gti is powered by a 2.0turbo, it has not been a 1.8 since 2005. get with the times man. and the 18 inch version of the wheels are immensly popular. but the 17's suit the polo fine.
the reason the scirocco is not coming to the U.S. is the size issue: its basically a squashed 2 door GTI...its not 'different' enought to justify its own sales. the polo however, both in performance and regular versions, can, because its smaller.
why is that so hard to comprehend?
guy1974 says:
10:13 AM, 02/18/2010
umiami350z - you are wrong, those wheels are very popular. In the Uk they are a >$500 option and a large number of people buy them. They look great and have been so popular that VW have kept them around for multiple years and now expanded to the Polo.
You say they won`t bring the Scirroco over because it would steal Golf GTi sales. Correct. That is why they will not bring the Polo GTI over either. Just because some Edmunds correspondent wants them to doesn`t make it so.