Cape Town - Volkswagen has given its pocket-rocket Polo GTI a dash of extra pace.
As part of a midlife upgrade that includes some cosmetic changes, the 1.4 turbo- and super-charged TSI engine has been replaced by a direct-injection 1.8 turbo TSI which raises power output to 141kW – that’s 9kW more than before. Torque stays the same at 250Nm in the seven-speed automatic DSG version that goes on sale in South Africa this week.
However, if you’re willing to wait until the third quarter of this year there will be a six-speed manual model with the same amount of kiloWatts but torque hiked to a much meatier 320Nm, as the Polo’s DSG transmission apparently can’t handle that much.
The new three-pedal version of the Polo GTI is aimed more at purist drivers, although both versions are claimed to have identical performance with VW quoting a 0-100km/h figure of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 236km/h. A facelift sees the Polo GTI acquiring new bumpers, flared door sills, and red strips in the radiator grille and headlights.
The car is available for the first time with optional LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, while other items that sport-up the GTI’s appearance include 17” Parabolicca wheels, roof spoiler, chrome dual tailpipes, darkened tail lights, and black grained diffuser. Inside, the leather sports steering wheel, adapted from the Golf GTI, has contrasting red stitching, as do the gear lever and handbrake lever.
Further GTI-specific treatment includes aluminium-look pedals, black headliner, and Alcantara-upholstered seats with heating and cooling for the front occupants.
AGILITY AND PACE
The sport suspension’s been retuned and the wheels widened for improved agility, and electronic cornering assistance is provided by a stability-control system that includes an XDS+ electronic differential lock.
A drive through some of the Western Cape’s twisty mountain passes at the media launch last week offered convincing proof of this pumped-up Polo’s athletic abilities. VW’s little hot hatch is an eager performer with impressive high-speed directional stability, and the sports chassis ensures swift progress through twisty roads without delivering an over-firm ride.
For the first time the Polo GTI will be available with optional electronically-adjustable dampers that alter the suspension stiffness at the press of a button. This feature’s available in conjunction with a Sport Performance Kit that also affects the responses of the steering and throttle, and activates a sound actuator that intensifies the engine noise heard inside the car. This Sport Performance Kit option will be available with the introduction of the manual transmission in the latter part of 2015.
FEATURES APLENTY
Also standard in Polo’s haul-ass hatch are features such as Hill Hold Assist, a Driver Alert System that senses when you’re tired and sounds a warning, and a Post-Collision Braking System that automatically brakes the vehicle after an accident’s taken place to avoid secondary collisions or reduce their severity.
The updated infotainment system features a colour touchscreen with Bluetooth and USB connectivity for mobile phone and audio streaming, and a proximity sensor that reacts to your hand approaching the screen.
The Polo GTI 1.8 TSI DSG is priced at R326 400, which includes a 3-year/120 000km warranty and 3-year/45 000km service plan.
Star Motoring