The GTI front section
The Polo GTI is available for the first time with LED headlights (dipped and main beam), and daytime running lights also provided by LEDs. Hallmarks of the Polo GTI include the red strip framing the radiator grille with its characteristic GTI honeycomb structure; in the new GTI this strip continues into the headlights. The lower, much bigger air intake has also acquired a newly designed honeycomb grille and is framed at each side by fog lights as standard (including cornering lights) and splitters, the kind of spoilers used in motor sports. Standard equipment for the GTI also includes front and rear ParkPilot, heated windscreen washer nozzles and a headlight cleaning system.
LED headlights
These LED dual headlights, with their highly detailed avant-garde design, are unmistakable - even from a distance - due to their construction and prominent reflectors. The light of the LED headlights is even whiter and more similar to daylight than that of xenon headlights, and it is less straining to the eyes of drivers while driving at dawn or dusk or at night.
The GTI silhouette and rear section
The silhouette and the rear also boast sporty design features. The door sills are distinctively flared, adding further to the Polo GTI's sporty appeal, along with the new alloy wheels with GTI styling (size: 7.5J x 17) through which the gleaming red brake callipers are visible. At the rear, the GTI roof spoiler, prominent roof antenna, tail light clusters in 'Dark Red', the black grained diffuser and the chrome dual exhaust tailpipes located on the left of the vehicle all continue the sporty theme. Last but by no means least comes the GTI lettering, which takes its proper place at the rear, in the radiator grille and on the wings of this Polo.
GTI colours
The new Polo GTI is available in a choice of seven colours - 'Pure White', 'Flash Red' and 'Black' monochrome finishes, the metallic 'Reflex Silver', 'Deep Black', and 'Blue Silk', plus the mother of pearl effect 'Oryx White'.
Interior design and features
The interior of the new Polo GTI is characterised by the newly "mixed" GTI insignias, including the distinctive 'Clark' tartan pattern of the upholstery of the top-class sports seats (in the front) and the rear seat system, and also features a large number of general improvements which are appearing in the series in their latest updated versions. These include the new instrument cluster with its 3D tubular look (with GTI styling) and the redesigned layout of the controls on the redesigned centre console. On the upper control level, just beneath the air vents, is a control panel that has been expanded from seven to nine buttons; positioned in the middle and easy to reach, for instance, is the hazard lights switch. The interior specialists have also optimised the controls for the air conditioning system that is standard in the Polo GTI (optionally 'Climatronic' automatic climate control). They are arranged below the infotainment system. Chrome accents on the door trim panels, the air vents and around the gear shift console round off the sophisticated ambience. And the Polo GTI also features a completely new generation of infotainment systems.
Engine and gearbox
The dynamic heart of the Polo GTI is a newly developed four-cylinder EA888 engine. The 2.0 litre version of this engine family is used to power the Golf GTI and other vehicles. The new Polo GTI is equipped with the third generation EA888 with a displacement of 1,798 cm3. The turbocharged direct injection petrol engine develops 141 kW / 192 PS of power. The 1.8 TSI provides this peak at between 4,200 and 6,200 rpm (6-speed manual version); for the 7-speed DSG the range is from 5,400 to 6,200 rpm. These variations are due to technical differences in the design parameters of the gearboxes. The same applies to the torque values: the DSG variant delivers a maximum torque of 250 Nm between 1,250 and 5,300 rpm whereas the figures for the manual gearbox version are 320 Nm between 1,450 and 4,200 rpm. However, the differences in torque have no effect on the vehicle's performance figures (top speed and acceleration from 0-100 km/h). Having said that, the manual version does pull away slightly more briskly, while the DSG version's fuel consumption is even lower.
Direct and manifold injection
Whatever the transmission and associated maximum torque, the 1.8 TSI is a high-tech engine. A variety of new technologies have found their way into this third generation of the engine, including the water-cooled exhaust gas routing to the turbocharger, which has been fully integrated into the cylinder head. This water-cooled integrated exhaust manifold makes a crucial contribution towards improving fuel consumption at full load. In addition, the TSI has variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, valve lift on the exhaust side can be switched in two stages. This enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy and lower emissions. The four-cylinder engine also features a dual high-pressure injection system (200 bar) with direct and manifold injection. The freely selectable injection type results in lower particle emissions and also reduces fuel consumption in broad performance ranges.
Intelligent thermal management
A further highlight is the first use of a newly developed rotary-slide control in this engine for implementing an intelligent thermal management system: for example, it is now possible to completely block the intake of coolant into the engine during the warm-up phase of the 1.8 TSI, or reduce it to a minimum, in order to get the engine up to operating temperature more quickly. Once the engine is running at normal temperature there is fully variable control of the coolant temperature, which can be quickly adjusted to the ideal level for the engine depending on the engine load and external conditions.
New turbocharger, less weight
It has also been possible to reduce the weight of the engine, which has a new single-scroll turbocharger. A large portion of the savings came from the new thin-wall crankcase (3 mm thick), a weight-optimised crankshaft, the integrated exhaust manifold, a plastic oil pan and the use of aluminium screws. Total reduction: 5.4 kg.
Efficient agility
All these measures paint an impressive picture together: the basic revision of all function groups including the reduction of internal friction makes the 1.8 TSI in the Polo GTI one of the most efficient and agile engines in its class. As with all the latest generation Polo, the GTI complies with the EU6 emission standard. Sustainability is the watchword where consumption and emissions figures are concerned: 5.6 l/100 km (equivalent to 129 g/km CO2) in conjunction with the 7-speed DSG, and 6.0 litres (139 g/km CO2) with the 6-speed manual variant. But the car's performance figures still speak for themselves: with either transmission variant the Polo GTI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 236 km/h.
Gearboxes
The new Polo GTI is supplied as standard with a well graduated 6-speed gearbox that offers good shifting accuracy. A 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is also optionally available for maximum levels of efficiency, dynamics and comfort. The automatic transmission was specially configured to the 192 PS GTI engine across a variety of individual parameters, characteristic curves and engine mappings.