Volkswagen Polo GTI in Depth

Press Release

Exterior

• Attractive GTI styling distinguishes this Polo from the rest

Powerful and dynamic: Even when stationary, the new Polo GTI clearly shows off its sportiness. The compact sports car features numerous design attributes that already characterise its big brother, the Golf GTI. This includes, for example, the black shield-shaped radiator grille and the honeycomb mesh on the upper air intake. The headlights and the standard fog lights are also set against a dark background.

At the rear, the GTI styling continues with the wide track, the chrome end pipes of the twin exhaust system and a striking roof spoiler. The spoiler does not only look good, it also has real functional advantages. It generates a downforce on the rear axles at high speeds. This improves the straight-line stability of the 216km/h Volkswagen.

The 16-inch alloy wheels were also specially designed for the small GTI. Together with the chassis lowered by 15 millimetres, they ensure that the 205/45 tyres really fill out the wheel arches on the Polo GTI. The exclusive design of the rims deliberately cites the wheels on the Golf GTI. The five U-shaped openings create a kind of stroboscope effect on the road. As a result, the red brake callipers are still visible when the car is moving. The black side skirting also emphasises the low crouching position of the most powerful production Polo. The door handles and outside mirrors are painted in the body colour. The paintwork colours are, of course, based on the classic GTI range. Red, black, silver and white are available for the traditionalists. Volkswagen is also offering the Polo GTI in two other colours, however.

Interior

• Traditional GTI attributes and careful attention to detail shape the interior

The interior has a classic GTI feel. The height-adjustable sports seats are, of course, covered with the usual GTI checked cloth (“Interlagos” pattern). The seats provide safe side support on fast corners and offer refined comfort on long journeys. The well-designed, three-spoke sports steering wheel, which bears the GTI logo like the seats, has excellent grip. The red cross-stitching on the inside also makes it very appealing. One special GTI feature, the black three-point seat belts with red edging are another example of the attention to detail.

More sporty styling elements characterise the dynamic top model in this range. For example, special aluminium-look panels on the centre console and around the side vents give an elegant look and feel. The gearstick knob and gaiter (also featuring red cross-stitching) as well as the handbrake lever grip are covered in leather with a pleasant touch. The metal embossed shift pattern on the gearstick and the aluminium caps on the pedals also give an impression of high quality. GTI labelling on the door sills indicates the dynamic potential of this car as you climb in.

The five-seater Polo GTI is not just sporty, it is also suitable for everyday use. The boot has a volume of 270 litres and can be expanded in next to no time. The folding rear seat bench, which is split 60/40, expands the boot volume to up to 1,030 litres.

Safety

• Sporty – but with all-round safety

The extremely rigid structure and the high quality ­standard of the body enhance the sporty talents of the Polo GTI. This does not only have a positive effect on the stable handling, it can also be seen in the small gap measurements. The torsional stiffness also prevents annoying noises developing and contributes to the high passive safety for the passengers. Front and side airbags as well as belt tensioners on both front seats are included in the standard equipment of the GTI. A head airbag system is optionally available. A curtain-like airbag inflates as a protective cushion along the side windows to provide additional protection for both front and rear occupants in side collisions. The front passenger airbag can be deactivated in the glove compartment using the ignition key. This is necessary if you want to fit a reboard child seat on the front passenger seat. Two ISOFIX anchors allow child seats to be secured on the rear bench.

Standard Equipment

• Climatic and central locking with remote control standard as well as sports chassis and alloy wheels

Overview of most important Polo GTI equipment features:

SAFETY

• Driver and front passenger airbag, front passenger side can be deactivated

• Driver and front passenger side airbags

• Fog lights

• Three-point automatic seat belt for centre rear seat

• Tyre pressure monitor display (TPMD)

• Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) including brake assist, ABS, EDL and TCS

• 3 rear head restraints

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT

• Halogen main headlights with black housing

• Exclusive 6.5 J x 16 alloy wheels, 205/45 R 16 tyres

• Front and rear disc brakes with red brake callipers (Geomet)

• Colour package: Outside mirrors, door handles, bumper strips and side bump strips in body colour

• Widened black GTI sill panels

• Tailgate with spoiler and integrated 3rd brake light

• GTI badge on tailgate

• Special front and rear bumpers, twin exhaust tail pipes

• Honeycomb radiator grille with GTI badge

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT

• Boot light

• Dimmable instrument lighting

• Door sills with GTI label

• Anthracite interior trim (headliner, pillar panelling, fixtures)

• Exclusive 3D combi instrument

• 3-spoke, perforated leather sports steering wheel with red stitching and GTI logo incl. leather gearstick knob/handbrake lever grip with red stitching

• Aluminium-look pedals

• Folding, asymmetrically split rear seat bench and backrest

• Interior refinements (trim inserts)

• Illuminated vanity mirrors on left and right

• Black seat belts with red edging

• Top sports seats with raised side supports and special trim, seat height adjustment, incl. drawers (leather covers optional)

• Carpet mats in front and rear, anthracite

FUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT

• Exterior mirrors electrically adjusted and heated

• Climatic

• Central locking with remote control

• Front power windows (2-door only)

• Sports chassis, lowered approx. 15mm