PoloDriver

Volkswagen performance specialist RacingLine has released a series of upgraded parts for the 2017 onwards sixth-generation Polo GTI ‘AW’. Along with a set of sport springs, there is also a new turbo muffler delete for MAF-engined EA888 2.0 TSI ‘Gen.3B’ models.

The sport springs package for the ‘AW’-chassis coded Polo GTI lowers the car by 30mm at the front and 35mm at the rear, and is, RacingLine says, ‘just how it should have come from the factory’. Manufactured in Europe from the same factory that produces many of the OEM springs, RacingLine uses progressive rate springs to preserve the ride quality in normal use, but then stiffen the rates at the ends of the travel. 

It states that a comprehensive development programme gives a ride quality just as good as that of the standard car. There are no official prices available yet – just a part number: VWR31P2GT. Head over to the RacingLine website to find out more.

Turbo muffler delete
Alongside the springs, RacingLine has made changes to its EA888 ‘Gen.3B’ turbo muffler delete (part number VWR160001) so that it now fits MAF-coded 2.0 TSI engines. The turbo muffler delete also forms part of RacingLine’s whole ‘MAF’ intake package which includes an R600 intake with cotton or trifoam R600 filter choice, a turbo inlet elbow, a turbo inlet hose, as well as a coolant underhose.

The turbo muffler delete is CNC constructed from single-piece billet T6-6061 aluminium, with a maximum diameter smoothed internal bore for max airflow. Hand-polished and anodised in gloss midnight black, it can be installed in just 30 minutes. By smoothing the airflow path out of the turbocharger and eliminating the restriction and turbulence caused by the OEM part, RacingLine confirms that ‘a small but useful’ power gain is made.

For more information on RacingLine products for the 2010-2017 Polo GTI ‘6R/6C’ and the 2017 onwards sixth-generation Polo GTI ‘AW’, visit the RacingLine website, or locate a nearby dealer from the company’s global network of retail partners.

Continue Reading

Officially unveiled today, ‘a modern sports car in the best tradition’ is how Volkswagen bills the new 2022 Polo GTI. As expected – and shown in the teaser sketch back in May – the refreshed version of Volkswagen’s supermini hot hatch features red detailing and bolder styling than the regular version of the new Polo, and its reveal comes just in time to celebrate the Polo GTI’s 21st birthday in the UK.

What does the new Polo GTI look like?
The new Polo GTI builds on the looks of the refreshed Polo and so already has a bolder and more striking appearance than the outgoing ‘phase one’ sixth-generation model. Up front, a new bumper with body-colour strakes, spoiler winglets, honeycomb inserts and Golf 8 GTI-style LED fog lamps signal the new Polo GTI’s sporting intent, with a red grille strip that bleeds into the headlights – ‘IQ Light’ LED matrix units no less.

The grille itself features an illuminated LED light strip that continues into the headlights, similar to the eighth-generation Golf and Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID model family. A new thinner and more stylised – but still not as good as the older, serif font in our opinion – ‘GTI’ badge is proudly and prominently positioned on the grille.

At the rear, the new Polo’s larger rear lights are a dominant feature and on the GTI feature LEDs and animated brake lights as well as fancy dynamic indicators. As with the outgoing car, the red ‘GTI’ badge sits under the redesigned ‘VW’ logo. A new rear bumper features a subtle diffuser and edge winglets, as well as a colour-coded section housing the twin chrome exhausts. The car featured in Volkswagen’s early press images has 17-inch alloy wheels – 18s are an option – that have a black and diamond-cut finish and on the car in the photos have an almost ‘flower’-like pattern. Which, although they look nice, might not be the most suitable for a GTI…

Available in five colours, the traditional ‘GTI’ shades of black, red, white are available (Kings Red Metallic, Pure White Uni and Deep Black Pearl Effect respectively), along with Reef Blue Metallic – which featured on the outgoing car – and Smoke Grey Metallic. The blue, red and white can also be specified with a separate roof pack, which features a contrasting black roof. Speaking of roofs, a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof will also be an option.

What about the interior – is it a true GTI?
If ‘true GTI’ means tartan seat trim – check. The new Polo GTI’s seats have ‘Clark’ tartan seat trim but plainer ‘Art Velours’ material is also available, but why would you? We’d always choose the tartan. Another true GTI feature is black headlining and pillar trim, and again, it’s all present and correct in the new Polo GTI. In addition, the colour scheme in the new Polo GTI is based around black, grey, red and chrome.

The full-width dashpad insert now has a gloss Kings Red finish as opposed to the matt finish on the outgoing car, and it’s certainly striking. However, if it’s a little too in your face, a Deep Iron gloss grey option can be had instead. Red stitching on the seats, haptic-buttoned steering wheel and gear lever cover also signify the new Polo’s ‘GTI-ness’.

OK, it sounds like a GTI cabin, but how digital is it?
As with ‘regular’ versions of the new Polo, the GTI’s cabin is more digitised than ever before. While the 2022 Polo GTI’s interior isn’t fully digital like that of the eighth-generation Golf, the physical buttons on the infotainment system have disappeared.

The new 8.0-inch Ready2Discover and Discover Media, and 9.2-inch Discover Pro systems use Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 modular infotainment matrix, the Ready2Discover unit available with an option to retrospectively activate navigation functions if desired. As with the regular new Polo, an integrated eSIM gives the units enhanced functionality and VW’s App-Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The new Polo GTI’s digitised instruments are 10.25 inches in size, part of the new Digital Cockpit Pro series of units. The display graphics have been specially matched to the Polo GTI, and the fully digital view can optionally show the navigation route over the full screen, with the functions of the touchscreen on the centre console assigned and used as desired. Sadly, the Climatronic climate control system appears to be optional, but where specified, operation of this goes digital, too, with sliders and touch-sensitive buttons for the main controls.

When it comes to practicality – a traditional GTI trait – thanks to little changed dimensions, the new Polo GTI is as roomy as before. The 2,564mm wheelbase affords the same interior space as the outgoing car, and there is the same 351-litre luggage capacity.

Enough about interiors – what engine powers the new Polo GTI?
As with the outgoing model, the Polo GTI has a 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine nestled under its more shapely bonnet. But… power has been upped to 204bhp (207PS), an increase of 7bhp (10PS) from before, although we have a suspicion that this engine was actually already available on very late versions of the outgoing car.

Still a variant of the trusted EA888 ‘3B’ engine, the new Polo GTI packs 236lb ft (320Nm) of torque at 1,500-4,500rpm, and scampers to 62mph from a standstill in 6.5 seconds. Top speed is 149mph (240km/h). Technical highlights of the engine include a dual injection system with combined direct and manifold injection; an engine control unit with four core processors; and an electronic valvelift system on the intake side.

At the time of writing, only a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox is mentioned. That’s the same as the old car, the much-anticipated 6-speed manual never coming to the UK. We suspect it will be the same story with the new car.

What has VW done to make the new Polo GTI handle like a GTI?
While we can’t tell you until we’ve driven it if the new Polo GTI handles like a GTI, we can tell you what Volkswagen has done to make it potentially feel like one. The new car has ‘Sports’ running gear along with XDS electronic differential lock. Lowered by 15 millimetres over other Polos, the XDS controls the brake pressure of the front wheel on the inside of the bends to prevent the wheel from spinning and loss of control of the vehicle in extreme situations and is part of the electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control systems.

As before, the new Polo GTI can be optionally specified with ‘Sport Select’ running gear. This includes two different damping settings for the switchable shock absorbers, a thicker anti-roll bar on the front axle, more rigid coupling rods at the front and stiffer axle locating mounts at the rear.

Four driving modes – four modes Eco, Individual, Normal and Sport – allow for individual driver settings and preferences and the steering, engine characteristics and gearbox control system are adapted in addition to the Sport Select running gear. While our favourite mode was ‘Sport’ in the outgoing car, the suspension was very stiff. But this is easily overcome in the configurable ‘Individual’ driving profile which still allows for sportier driving steering and noise, but without the uncomfortable ride.

That sounds like quite a lot of tech – is there more?
Yes, the 2022 Polo GTI comes loaded with VW’s latest safety and assisted driving systems. The safest Polo GTI ever, the new model has LED matrix headlights as standard, along with Volkswagen’s ‘IQ Drive’ Travel Assist system which allows partly automated driving. The system can take over steering, braking and acceleration from standstill up to 130mph, using the predictive adaptive cruise control and lane assist functions.

The new Polo GTI has a lane assist lane keeping system as standard, but optional side assist and rear traffic alert, as well as front assist and proactive protection and area – pedestrian and cyclist – monitoring systems can be added. An autonomous emergency braking front assist system is also fitted and includes the automatic city emergency braking function which initiates full braking to reduce the severity of an accident at speeds under 18mph.

Driver alert and automatic post-collision braking as well as proactive occupant protection and tyre pressure monitoring systems are also standard-fit. An automatic assisted parking system can optionally guide the Polo GTI into parking bays and parallel spaces.

Phew! Anything else I need to know – how much is it?
Sadly, prices haven’t been revealed yet. The outgoing Polo GTI starts at £24,155, so we’d expect a modest increase on that. As for availability, UK sales of the new Polo GTI begin in early 2022, but old models – with the new car’s engine! – are still available from stock, should you not be bowled over by the new car’s looks or digital interior… We look forward to bringing you further details, and hopefully driving impressions, of the exciting newcomer as soon as we can.

What do you think of the new 2022 Polo GTI? Let us know in the comments section below.

Continue Reading

Following on from the reveal of the refreshed sixth-generation Polo on 21 April 2021, Volkswagen has fired the starting gun on the arrival of the 2022 Polo GTI by releasing a design sketch of the updated model. The new performance Polo has been billed as ‘sharper, dynamic, and power-packed’.

The 2022 Polo GTI will be revealed in an official online world premiere event at the end of June 2021, and the teaser announcement coincides with the time of the Wörthersee GTI meet, which has been staged at Lake Wörthersee in the Austrian town of Reifnitz/Maria Wörth since the 1980s. The four-day event has again been cancelled in 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.

‘Once a GTI, always a GTI’
‘Once a GTI, always a GTI’ is how Volkswagen describes the loyalty shown by fans of its now legendary badge, and once again, the new Polo GTI will be the sportiest and most ‘premium’ model in the range. It should also play to the traditional GTI strengths of everyday usability with heightened driving dynamics.

We already know that the 2022 Polo GTI will have a small bump in power to 204bhp, up from the 197bhp of the outgoing car which has been off sale – at least in the UK – for some months now. The new car is expected to use the old car’s EA888 ‘3B’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine which is essentially a detuned Golf GTI unit. However, the sporty Polo is once again available to order on Volkswagen’s UK website, but is listed as having 204bhp already, hinting that the revised engine is available now.

After disappearing from the UK price list in autumn 2020, it appears the Polo #GTI is back, back, BACK! But… with a 207PS/204bhp power bump, which is 7bhp more than when it disappeared. The new, yet to be unveiled, 2022 Polo GTI also has 207PS: is this the same engine? #VW pic.twitter.com/bvfxJnpwdb

— PoloDriver (@polodrivercom) May 4, 2021

In prime position
From Volkswagen’s official design sketch, the 2022 Polo GTI looks set to continue the new ‘GTI’ look set by the eighth-generation Golf GTI. Red radiator grille trim once again extends into the headlights – possibly using VW’s IQ Light LED matrix technology as that is already standard on the new Polo R-Line – and the new thinner font ‘GTI’ badge sits in prime position on the grille itself.

The refreshed Polo is already a sharper looker, so the updated GTI will immediately wear a more distinctive suit of clothes, but in VW’s official sketch, there appears to be a deeper front spoiler, a black roof, and similar alloy wheels to the new Golf GTI’s ‘Richmond’ rims, which seem to divide fan opinion… As the R-Line already has a gloss black rear spoiler and ‘diffuser’, the GTI will most likely have sportier versions of both.

Digitised interior
Inside, we expect the new Polo GTI to share the updated standard Polo’s more digitised interior, with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument display, as well as an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. New haptic touch air conditioning controls also feature in the updated Polo, but one thing the GTI will have over other Polos, is the traditional GTI tartan-panelled seats, most probably the same ‘Jacara Red’ cloth seen on the Golf 8 GTI.

What we don’t know is what gearbox the 2022 Polo GTI will come with as standard. In the UK, the only option on the outgoing Polo GTI was a six-speed DSG automatic – a mooted six-speed manual-equipped car sadly never arrived – but the transmission listed for the 204bhp model in the current brochure details a seven-speed DSG. The plot thickens…

All will be revealed towards the end of next month, and we’ll bring you all the details when they emerge. For now, though, how about taking a look back at where the Polo GTI story began – find more details about the first-ever, limited-run 1998 Polo GTI here, and the first non-limited model here – and we’ll see you at the end of June!

Continue Reading

The covers have been taken off the 2022 Volkswagen Polo, a refreshed version of the sixth-generation model, ahead of its online world premiere tomorrow morning. The biggest headlines are changes to the front and rear ends with new bumpers and LED lights; a more digital interior; and the arrival of a centre interior airbag and Level 2 autonomy, both firsts in the small car class.

What does the new Polo look like?
As expected from Volkswagen, with a model update, it was always going to be evolution, not revolution. The new Polo is still recognisable as the sixth-generation car, especially in side profile where the striking ‘tornado’ line is very much still in evidence, but tweaks to the front and rear ends and a new range of colours and wheels make it look sharper.

At the front, a new set of LED headlights mark out the newest member of the Polo family, linked by a light bar set into the bottom of the grille, similar to the eighth-generation Golf and new ID range. The headlights also have a lower edge at the outside edges for a more varied shape, and along with new bumper infill treatments distinguish the new Polo from the old.

The rear is where the biggest changes can be seen. A new pair of tail light clusters echo those seen on Golf 8 and other new Volkswagens. Now two-piece units, which split when the tailgate is opened, the new lamps have LED tech, progressive ‘swiping’ indicators, and sharper graphics. Giving the rear end a T-Roc look, along with new central badging, there’s no mistaking the new Polo for the outgoing model.

Four new colours also help with differentiation. The brightest, Vibrant Violet, is not for, ahem, shrinking violets, while Kings Red is also seen on the latest Golf GTI. Ascot Grey and Smoke Grey cater for more discerning clientele. Sadly, Energetic Orange, our favourite from the outgoing car’s colour palette, has disappeared. A range of new wheels lift the visuals further.

And what about the interior – is it fully digital?
Volkswagen has resisted the need to make the new Polo’s interior completely and fully digital like that of the eighth-generation Golf, but more digitisation has crept in. Looking very similar to the outgoing model’s cabin, the new Polo’s interior still features a rotary lighting control, but loses the physical buttons on the infotainment system, which now comes in sizes from 6.5 inches to 9.2 inches. The 8.0-inch Ready2Discover and Discover Media, and 9.2-inch Discover Pro systems use VW’s latest MIB3 modular infotainment matrix, with the Ready2Discover unit available with an option to retrospectively activate navigation functions.

An integrated eSIM gives the MIB3 units enhanced functionality and selected We Connect access, with the option of streaming services such as Apple Music, and even personalised Volkswagen ID settings saved in the Cloud for use in other vehicles. Shared with the outgoing Polo, App-Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Digitised instruments now come in 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit and 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro sizes, and are standard on all new Polos. If the Climatronic climate control system is specified, operation of this goes digital, too. Volkswagen has come in for some criticism with the latest system in Golf 8, which uses digital slider controls, so the addition of these touch panels could be a controversial move. Situated on the lower centre console where the heating and ventilation controls were before, on the new Polo, all functions are illuminated and below the module are two illuminated USB-C ports and a compartment for wireless smartphone charging where fitted. Above the module is a Golf-8 ambient lighting strip for added style.

What engines power the new Polo?
As with the current Polo, a range of three petrol engines power the new model. Starting with a 79bhp naturally-aspirated unit, a pair of 94 and 108bhp TSI turbocharged engines join it. The trio of three-cylinders share a displacement of 999cc, and as far as PoloDriver can tell, are carried over from the outgoing car. In terms of transmissions, the 79bhp and 94bhp units are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, the higher output model also available with a seven-speed DSG. The 108bhp TSI comes as standard with the DSG transmission.

The range-topping Polo GTI will have a power bump to over 200bhp (see below), and that’s quite a jump from the 108bhp unit. At the virtual preview of the new model, Dr Hendrik Muth, head of product marketing, Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, stated that while the 1.5-litre 148bhp TSI from the Golf isn’t due to be part of the new Polo range at the moment, it could be introduced later, but he didn’t believe there would be the need.

In selected markets, the CNG-powered Polo TGI will continue. Its 89bhp natural gas and petrol engine, which is good for a 125-mile gas range and combined 89-93g/km of CO2 emissions is shared with the current Polo.

But, will there be a new Polo GTI?
Hold your horses – all 204 of them! Yes, even though the Polo GTI was removed from the UK brochure in late 2020, there will be a new version. Due to be unveiled in summer 2021, the new car will pack a 204bhp punch (7bhp more than the model it replaces), with UK sales starting in early 2022. We don’t expect a change from the trusted EA888 ‘3B’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder when it comes to engine.

What trim levels make up the new Polo range?
The new Polo adopts Volkswagen’s latest trim level nomenclature. For the German market, the car will be available in Polo, Life, Style, R-Line and GTI versions. All new Polos have LED lights, body coloured door mirrors and handles as standard, in addition to a new multifunction steering wheel and lane assist technology . The entry level ‘Polo’ model – there hasn’t been one with that simple a name since the 1980s! – also gets 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit instruments, air conditioning, as well as a 6.5-inch Composition Media colour infotainment system.

Life models gain App-Connect, a centre armrest, a leather finish on the steering wheel and gear lever, a second USB-C port and 15-inch alloy wheels (the ‘Polo’ has 14-inch rims). For the UK market, Life will be the entry level Polo model, and will be unique in that it will also come with the 79bhp engine, alongside the 94bhp unit. Life is also expected to be the top-selling Polo trim in the UK, estimated to take around 70 per cent of sales. The Polo Life 94bhp five-speed manual is forecast to be the most popular variant.

Style models add ‘IQ Light’ LED matrix headlights, a Polo first. Outside, the Polo Style features chrome bumper highlights and 15-inch ‘Ronda’ alloys. Inside, there is the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instruments, ambient lighting, 8.0-inch Ready2Discover infotainment system, and a Deep Iron-coloured dashpad. Park assist technology is also standard.

The Polo R-Line tops the model range until the GTI arrives. Gloss black highlights and a subtle body kit consisting of front and rear bumpers – with diffuser and chrome exhaust finishers – and a spoiler mark out the new sportiest Polo, and compliment the 16-inch ‘Valencia’ rims. The cabin features the Ready2Discover infotainment system, a Dark Grey dashpad and ‘Karoso’ fabric.

A wide options list includes a Beats Audio sound system, keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, sports running gear (15mm lower than standard) with electronic differential lock and driver profile selection, voice control, and alloy wheels up to 17 inches in size.

How safe is the new Polo?
Firsts for the Polo and for the small car class include a centre airbag and Level 2 autonomous driving functions. Located on the driver side on the side of the rear seat backrest, the centre airbag opens towards the middle of the vehicle in an accident and prevents the driver and front passenger knocking into each other during a crash. A new lap belt tensioner also tensions the seat belt around the pelvis.

Travel Assist – which debuted on the Passat – is available on the new Polo, too, and allows Level 2 driving automation at speeds up to 130mph (where permitted). The IQ Drive Travel Assist system features a bundle of assisted driving functions including adaptive cruise control and lane assist. Side assist and rear traffic alert systems are also available, as well as autonomous and city emergency, and automatic post-collision braking functions. A driver alert system also warns drivers to take a necessary break.

How practical is the new Polo?
With barely any change to the body dimensions of the outgoing model, the newest Polo is just as easy to thread through city streets. Its 4,053mm length, 1,751mm width and 1,446mm height are unchanged, as is its 351-litre luggage capacity. The large 2,564mm wheelbase affords the same interior space as before, too.

When will the new Polo go on sale?
Almost four years into the lifecycle of the sixth-generation Polo, and after being snapped testing in Germany, an updated model was known to be imminent, just perhaps not quite this early into 2021. Advanced German sales of the new Polo start in calendar week 19 – 10-16 May 2021 – with a market launch in Germany at the end of September. UK order books will open in Q3 2021, with first customer deliveries beginning in Q4.

Anything else I need to know?
The new Polo will be built in its traditional plant of Pamplona in Spain (Polos were first built there in 1984), along with Uitenhage in South Africa. Prices will start at around €16,000 when the new Polo hits the German market at the end of September 2021; UK prices and trim specifics are yet to be released. There will be no diesel Polo, which will make little change, as there hasn’t been a Polo TDI in the UK range since 2019.

A best-selling VW with 18 million units sold over the past 46 years, the new evolution of the Polo features a raft of technological and stylistic updates. Over the coming months, PoloDriver.com will update its pages with a bespoke detailed section about the new model, so keep coming back to find out more about the latest generation of Volkswagen’s perennial and popular small car, and don’t forget to tune into the online world premiere on 22 April at 11am CEST/10am BST.

Continue Reading

The latest 197bhp Polo GTI is the most powerful ever, and with as much power as a fifth-generation Golf GTI of 2004, Barracuda Racing Wheels Europe thought VW’s small firecracker deserved a more striking set of rims.

The German tuner’s Tzunamee EVO alloys pictured here are 8×18-inches in size, wrapped in 215/35R18 rubber. With a dark gunmetal finish, the company quotes a pronounced concavity of fifty millimetres and state that as the brushed regions of the spoke ends extend to the edge of the rims, the wheels appear larger than they really are.

Priced from €299, optional €69 eight millimetre spacers on the rear ensure perfect alignment between front and rear and lend the sixth-generation Polo GTI a more aggressive appearance. This is helped on Barracuda’s show car by a set of €249 special “JMS made by H&R” springs which lower the pumped-up, go-faster Polo’s body by 40mm at the front, and 30mm at the rear.

Barracuda Racing Wheels’ range of rims are available from car dealerships as well as tyre and specialist stores. They can also be bought online from www.barracuda-europe.de, and the company has extensive social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Continue Reading