Volkswagen launches new Polo GTI

[mikeyb]

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/pologti00008.jpg

VW continues its new model push with a performance version of its Polo. The company borrowed heavily from the Golf GTI to come up with its new Polo supermini, which hits selected markets this spring, after having debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2005.

A significant step up from the last Polo GTI, which delivered 125 hp, the new GTI model pumps out 150 hp, good for 0-62 mph in 8.2 seconds.

The baby GTI is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 1.8-liter, 5-valve per cylinder, four cylinder engine. Other performance upgrades include 16-inch alloys sporting 205/45 rubber, and a lowered suspension with standard ESP. Oh, yes, and red brake calipers, too! More pics after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/pologti00007.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/pologti00001.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/pologti00002.jpg

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http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/pologti00006.jpg

source:http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/volkswagen-launches-new-polo-gti/

[goku4658]

i know nothing about vw's..how is this different from the golf gti's?

[mikeyb]

i know nothing about vw's..how is this different from the golf gti's?

Polo is smaller then a Golf. It competes with the Ford Feista, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit/Jazz, and Opel Corsa in Europe. VW should really think about selling this here.

[smo0f]

Polo has always been an N/A car right?

[mikeyb]

Polo has always been an N/A car right?

I think so.

[smo0f]

Yeah, i never knew it was based off of a GTI, let alone that it was a VW. The backend of the car seems slightly smaller, but it's pretty much almost identical in every other aspect. German car interiors are so hot :(

[mikeyb]

Yeah, i never knew it was based off of a GTI, let alone that it was a VW. The backend of the car seems slightly smaller, but it's pretty much almost identical in every other aspect. German car interiors are so hot :(

Its not based on a GTi. Styling it looks like the Golf GTi. I don't know what it actually shares with it. This is a different engine and plateform. It is related to the Lupo/fox mini compacts.

[smo0f]

ah. I thought when it said 'borrowed heavily from the GTi' it meant that it borrowed heavily from the GTi :) Lupo, sounds like a diseased car

[mikeyb]

ah. I thought when it said 'borrowed heavily from the GTi' it meant that it borrowed heavily from the GTi :) Lupo, sounds like a diseased car

Diseased car? Thats funny. Its unpowered.

[dmitrik4]

VW should really think about selling this here.

agreed 100%.

[Kansei]

agreed 100%.

I second that. It looks really good, but I still can't get used to that plaid interior. The new GTI, the Mazda3, and all cars in that class are getting too big. I really don't even need a car the size of the Protege, a smaller 3 door hatchback would be great!

[mikeyb]

I like the plaid inserts in the seats. Its different.

[chuyler1]

turbocharged and intercooled and it only puts out 150hp? ...and only 25hp more from the previous model? Is it gas or desiel?

You could get that from one of those eBay electric leaf-blowers---er--i mean supercharger!