Sneak Peek The New Polo GTI

When it comes down to a hatchback popularity contest, Volkswagen surely takes the crown in Namibia.

Both Golf and Polo are amongst the most seen around hatchbacks in the streets in Windhoek. Whether they’re stock, rimmed up or fully customised, there’s just something about a Polo that entices me.

So it was no wonder that it was love at first sight with the all new Polo GTI. Boasting a similar design as the Trendline and Comfortline models, new sleek and modern contours give the new Polo’s design an edge that wasn’t there before. While coming off both sporty and executive, the GTI is simply a versatile manufacturing marvel.

The front end features include an independent bumper with integrated spoiler lip and fog lights as standard and the red stripe in the radiator grille is a classic GTI feature. Another exclusive feature in the GTI is optional LED headlights with a red winglet – stylistically these are extensions of the red stripe of the radiator grille. Naturally, its other insignia include the GTI logo as well as the air intakes with a honeycomb structure – at the top in the radiator grille and below this in the bumper. At the bottom, the new Polo GTI is also differentiated from the less powerful Polo versions by C-shaped black high-gloss air curtains in the bumper.

Other GTI characteristics at the rear include a high-gloss black diffuser and the chrome dual tailpipes of the exhaust system integrated on the left-hand side. Located in a direct line above the tailpipes is the GTI signature on the boot lid. Another standard feature of the Polo GTI is its LED tail light clusters that provide for a very distinctive light signature at night.

In true Volkswagen fashion, the interior of the vehicle has to be aesthetically attractive. The body colours include Pure White, Flash Red and Deep Black Pearl Effect, while the edgy and outgoing driver can order in Reef Blue Metallic for a sporty look.

The devil is in the details. As such, a highlight of every GTI is its customised interior. Black, red, grey and chrome dominate this area. VW incorporates red contrast stitching as another typical GTI characteristic for the interior. It is found around the standard leather multifunction sport steering wheel, the gear shift lever trim, the floor mats and the outer seat surfaces.

In the case of the new Polo GTI, it is a two-litre direct-injection petrol engine with an output of 147 kW as opposed to the usual high torque turbocharged engines. Like the Golf GTI, the new Polo GTI will be represented in the two-litre turbo class for the first time.

The 147kW Polo, which like all GTI cars features front-wheel drive, has coil spring struts and lower wishbones with a track-stabilising scrub radius. The front running gear additionally features an anti-roll bar.

The Polo GTI also offers numerous details as standard such as GTI-specific design features, these include additional curtain front and rear, the XDS differential lock, driving profile selection, composition media infotainment system, ambient lighting (white), door sill trims with GTI logo, air conditioning, front fog lights and cornering lights, LED tail light clusters, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, floor mats in the front and rear, electric windows all around with convenience switching, and multifunction display.

As the features of the Polo GTI seem to promise an exciting and riveting driving experience, keep an eye out for the Polo GTI test drive in Top Revs in upcoming weeks as we’ll find whether it lives up to the brand’s status.

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