PoloDriver

It’s official. On the eve of the 2014 Paris Autosalon (and ahead of its VW Group Night preview unveiling), Volkswagen has released details of the hottest Polo to date: the 2015 Polo GTI. As widely reported, the new car has 189bhp (192PS), can get to 62mph from rest in 6.7 seconds, has a top speed of 146mph (236km/h), and, joy of joys, has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard – a seven-speed DSG is an option.

1.8 litres, 189bhp, 236lb ft
The pre-refresh Polo 6R GTI had 178bhp from its 1.4-litre TSI engine. The new car ups that by 11bhp and is powered by a new 1.8-litre turbocharged unit, which has also seen service in the Audi A3. The new engine develops 236lb ft (320Nm) of torque – an increase of around 30 per cent compared to the now discontinued 1.4.

Performance of the new Polo GTI is close to that of the limited edition Polo R WRC road car, which has a 2.0-litre TSI engine and 217bhp. The 2015 Polo GTI is only 0.3 seconds slower to 62mph and only 4mph down on top speed. The new GTI is relatively clean, too – the manual emits the same CO2 figure as before – 139g/km – while the DSG is better still, rated at only 129g/km.

The new Polo GTI is 10mm lower at the front and 15mm lower at the rear than other Polos, and Volkswagen states it is ‘exceptionally agile’. Volkswagen has traditionally curtailed the Polo GTI’s agility a little in favour of the Golf GTI, so it will be interesting to see if this is still the case. Steering is by an electromechanical power-assisted rack, and electronically adjustable dampers are available for the first time.

‘Sport Select’ suspension
The ‘Sport Select’ suspension with ‘Sport Performance Kit’ allows for more performance-focused handling when the ‘Sport’ button is depressed. An electro-mechanical switching valve in the dampers alters their tuning from a sports yet comfort-oriented basic setting to ‘the stiffer characteristic of a sports suspension’ according to VW.

The ‘Sport Performance Kit’ is said to give both the new electromechanical power steering and the accelerator pedal response an even sportier feel. At the same time, the engine noise heard inside the car also changes as the sound actuator does its work. And if the Polo GTI is equipped with the seven-speed DSG gearbox, the transmission changes automatically from D to S mode.

GTI styling
Of course, a GTI isn’t a GTI without some external cues. And they are all present and correct on the new hot shot Polo. The refreshed Polo 6R’s headlight and tail lamps are fitted, along with a unique mesh-filled front bumper, honeycomb front grille with lower red trim strip (which extends into the headlamps like the on the Golf GTI) and ‘GTI’ badge, and front fog lights.

The rear of the car gets an extended rear spoiler with gloss black lip, a rear diffuser, twin exhausts, and ‘GTI’ badging. The finishing touches are ‘GTI’ side insignia on the front wings, red brake calipers, and a new design of 7.5J x 17-inch alloy wheel, which echoes that of the Golf GTI. The Polo GTI is the first Polo to come with LED headlamps as an option, as well as LED daytime running lights. Seven paint colours are available, including the traditional GTI shades of black, red, silver and white.

Inside, the new Volkswagen GTI family member also has, unsurprisingly, echoes of the Golf GTI, while all the latest infotainment upgrades from the new Polo range are present and correct. The sporty Polo adds a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with contrasting red stitching, aluminium pedals, gloss back trim inserts, ‘Clark’ tartan cloth, heated sports seats, black headlining, and a sound actuator, to highlight the more sports-orientated engine noise of the new model.

Kit count is high and includes footwell lighting, Driver Alert System, ‘Plus’ multifunction display, ‘Composition Touch’ infotainment system, front and rear ParkPilot, heated windscreen washer nozzles and a headlight cleaning system.

Performance Polo history
The history of the performance Polo could be described as patchy. The limited-production run 115bhp supercharged G40 arrived in 1985 (becoming a mainstay in the range with the Mk 2 Polo’s facelift in 1990), while a 120bhp 3,000 unit Polo GTI special model was introduced in 1998. Just as with the G40, the first full production run 125bhp Polo GTI was ushered in with the arrival of the Mk 3 Polo facelift in 1999.

The Mk 4 Polo GTI had 148bhp from its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine and was launched in 2006, with the outgoing Mk 5 Polo GTI hitting the roads in 2010 with 178bhp from its 1.4 unit. This car only had the DSG option, so bringing the manual gearbox back is an encouraging move by Volkswagen – the lack of a self-shifter must have harmed sales a little.

Pricing details are still elusive, but the Polo GTI is available for advance order in Germany later this month, with a European launch slated for February 2015. The car will have its world debut at the Paris Autosalon this month, which runs from 4 to 19 October 2014. We can’t wait to drive this latest GTI-badged firecracker and have to ask if if will finally propel the Polo to the performance hatchback big league?

2015 VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI – 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION:
Displacement (cc) 1798
Power output 189bhp (192PS)
Maximum torque 236lb ft / 320Nm @ 1400-4200rpm (manual); 184lb ft / 250Nm @ 1300-5400rpm (DSG)
Top speed (mph) 146
0-62mph (seconds) 6.7
Front suspension MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear suspension Torsion beam, trailing arms, coil springs
Steering Electromechnical power-assisted rack
Brakes 310mm discs (front), 230mm discs (rear), ABS, ASR traction control, ESC, XDS+
Wheels 7.5J x 17 alloy
Tyres 215/40 R17

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Modified Polo GTI 6N2s are nothing new. But Davie Fraser’s is something special. A track day special in fact. With 300bhp and 330lb/ft of torque, Davie recalls what modifications the car has to give it a more than double standard power output

I have been a VW fan for years and have had several Golf 2.0 TDIs, both standard and remapped versions. My wife runs a Touran 2.0 TDI 170 which I use to tow my Brian James tilt bed trailer to Knockhill racing circuit, our nearest here in Scotland. And the track car which sits on the trailer? That’s a 2000 6N2 Polo GTI. It’s not standard, though…

I bought the Flash Red five-door ‘X’-registered 6N2 Polo GTI in 2010 with 83,000 miles on the clock just after we moved house, as I had to commute back and forth to work. It was certainly no minter but I have had a soft spot for the Polo GTI for years and always wanted one.

It soon became apparent that the gearbox was on its last legs, and after a bit of research, I found out that it was actually on its third gearbox, soured from a diesel Polo! (6N2 Polo GTIs are known to have gearbox issues.) I had toyed with the idea of building a track car, so made the decision then to use it on-track instead.

After sourcing and fitting a CWX gearbox from the 100bhp 16V 6N Polo, Raceland exhaust manifold, cone filter and a set of coilovers, it was ready for its first outing at Knockhill – a 130-mile hike from my home. The Polo was still road legal at this point so I had to be careful when I was out on the track, and couldn’t drive it like I had stolen it as I still had to drive home.

That first track day was really great. The GTI handled really well, even though it was on standard road tyres. I had a few spirited runs against a Golf VR6 and surprisingly the Polo did very well against it on the track. From then on I was hooked!

My second track day was also great fun, until I started to get blown into the weeds on the straights by bigger cars. Knockhill is only 1.3 miles in length and is a ‘power track’, so the Polo was never going to cut it with the big boys. The majority of cars that were attending the track days then were Subarus and Evos.

I made my mind up on the way home that I was going to build something that would put the cat amongst the pigeons and said to my mate Steve, ‘watch this space’. I then totally stripped the Polo including all wiring and interior in preparation for my build. I should have taken more time and thought it out but I was eager to get started on the transformation. I have a double garage at home so I was fortunate to have somewhere to carry out the work, much to the frustration of my understanding wife…

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Following in the wheel tracks of the trio of tuned Polos by ABT, B&B Automobiltechnik and MTM, comes this Romeo Ferraris black Polo 6R.

While the German tuners’ specials were based on the limited-edition Polo R WRC ‘Street’, the hatch from the Italian outfit uses the lower-output Polo GTI as its foundation. A new CDA (BMC filter) air filter, and a new complete exhaust system with downpipe and 200-cell catalytic converter have been fitted, resulting in a 38bhp, 74Nm power increase.

Now with 216bhp, this upgraded Polo GTI also benefits from an extensive electronics overhaul, including a Romeo Ferraris module.

Chassis-wise, the car gains new Bilstein/Eibach shock absorbers and springs, making the three-door body sit closer to the ABT five-spoke matt black alloy wheels.

Externally, red detailing on the edge of the rims complement the standard red grille strips and brake calipers. The inside, though, is a different story. We’re not sure about the green leather interior to be honest, preferring the standard car’s ‘Jacky’ checked cloth with its red and grey accents.

Romeo Ferrari says that its Polo GTI is ‘ready to astonish enthusiasts of this car around the world’. While it may not be the wearer of extreme modifications, it’s one of a select band of specials based on the mainstream hot Polo. Find out more: bit.ly/1ffRlUw.

[Source: VWTuningMag]

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The 178bhp supercharged and turbocharged Polo GTI has recently seen price revisions for the Malaysian market. Launched in October 2011 in the RM135,000 price bracket, the flagship small VW’s ticket rose to RM1666,888-RM169,888 (three and five-door models respectively) in two years. Volkswagen Malaysia put the expensive price down to factors influenced by the ‘authorities’. But the good news is that, while the smallest current model to wear the GTI badge isn’t still as affordable as its initial 2011 price, it is now cheaper than before. Now priced at RM151,888 for the three-door and RM154,888 for the five-door, Volkswagen Malaysia has recently launched an aggressive advertising campaign highlighting the price reduction.

[Source: Autogridz]

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Rich Gooding is now 18 months into Polo GTI ownership. The car’s proving largely reliable, but maybe the driver needs some attention…

March 2013 marks the full 18-month anniversary of the Polo GTI’s and my time together. We’ve covered almost 20,000 miles in that time, and I’m please to say, we’re still the best of friends. Y464 GHJ has had quite a busy life since my last report in December, with a few unplanned for jobs being completed. First up, was the fitment of aero-style wiper blades. First fitted to Polos from the 9N in 2002, the single-blade rubber wipers have no exposed metalwork, so that in theory, they should create a much quieter passage through the air. Fitting is easy: just insert the end of the wiper arm into the wiper and snap the cover shut. They’re cheap, too – for less than £5.00, I bought a set of two 19-inch items for the front, and one 12” blade for the rear. To be honest, with the repeated cold snaps, I’ve not noticed that much difference to the noise due to the blades being cold, but they look much neater.

Throughout the colder months, the car had been quite reluctant to start, too. It did start, but not without losing the temperature gauge and also the trip meter mileage display. It didn’t really matter how cold it was either, as there was no pattern as to when it would complain. Then, one morning in February, I was down at the local sorting office, when it absolutely point blank refused to start. A jump got me on my way, and I called in straight away to Sani’s Motors (01245 460040), who diagnosed a flat battery. By a stroke of luck, the ever-friendly chaps had a genuine one in stock, so managed to squeeze the GTI and I in there and then (I was on my way to work), and £69.60 later, we were on our way again. It hasn’t happened since.

Finally, just last week saw the car go back to Sani’s once more for its MoT. While it flew through with no immediate problems, there were a few advisories. Well, five to be precise. The handbrake only just met the required park brake efficiency, while all four discs and sets of pads will need replacing. They’re all worn and are close to the limit for efficiency, but as I’ve not replaced them in the whole time I’ve owned the car, it wasn’t a total surprise. The next service is impending, so I’ll get them sorted then.

Talking of flying, the Polo very nearly went for a hedge excursion the first week back to work after Christmas. Driving down the A113 which has a left-hand camber on a right-hand bend which then opens up to a left-hand corner, the car almost overshot the road, and trying to correct it, the back end stepped out. A final correction put the car back on an even course and in the right direction, but I will admit it scared me for the whole journey and I now take that corner much more carefully. I still don’t know whether it was the road surface or my entry speed, or a combination of both, but I suspect part of the problem that day was down to the sometimes overly-light power steering. The car feels like it’s on tip-toe sometimes, too, and it took me a while to start to trust it again.

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