VW Polo GTI goes on sale in Britain
Volkswagen's baby GTI, based on the Polo supermini has just gone on sale in the UK. Boasting a force-fed 1.8-liter 20-valve four cylinder and a full compliment of creature comforts and safety features, the top-rung Polo rings up at £14,810 out-the-door (a stout $28,000 USD), but bearing in mind Britain's higher vehicle prices and taxes, the price is competitive. The plain-jane Polo has been on sale in Blightly since February.
With the arrival of a slew of new or revamped subcompacts with Asian bloodlines (Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, etc.) in American showrooms, can a small VW be far behind? If the Polo GTI is any indication of what's in the offing, we hope the company fast-tracks the whole works.
[Source: MotorTorque at AskAPrice.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben 3:11PM (5/15/2006)
I still don't understand what's stoping VW USA from bring Polo over to US
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Howard Kerr 3:22PM (5/15/2006)
When the British magazine CAR tested about 12-14 minicars a few months ago, the "plain jane" Polo was ranked behind the newer Japanese cars.
As far as price goes, well, VW prices in the U.S. never seem to have any relation to prices for the same models elsewhere...for good or bad. I have noticed, though, that prices for cars quoted in the U.K. in pounds, seem to be what we pay for the same car in dollars. (That would make this a $15,000 car here.)
Wasn't this car written up here or somewhere as having "only" 150 hp from it's 1.8 20 valve engine?
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Bill 3:30PM (5/15/2006)
Have seen the Polo abroad and I like it. A Polo GTI is more keeping in spirit with the original Rabbit GTI than the current Golf GTI is.
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Eric 3:48PM (5/15/2006)
This is really a side note to the comment about Asian bloodlines. Yes, the Chevrolet Aveo (Kalos) is built by GM DAT in Korea (amongst other places), but ultimately it was designed outside of Asia, is powered by a Holden built Opel powerplant.
My question is this, what is the determining factors as to what makes a bloodline for a specific vehicle and/or range?
As a side note, it would be great if the Polo (in several forms) was to be brought to the US market, it is a positively great car, I only wish that the last time I was in Europe that I could've brought one home (along with a Ford Puma, a Nissan Sunny-GTI and a Peugeot 206).
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T. 3:54PM (5/15/2006)
yeah, untill you read that its almost 2900lbs... *sigh* Maybe hold out hopes for a Lupo GTI?
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IndigoGTI 4:09PM (5/15/2006)
No way! A Polo at 2900 lbs?! My MkIV Golf GTI weighs that much (it's a strippy).For surem the new Golf GTI is a pig. 3300 pounds?
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Ferguson McSqueege 4:22PM (5/15/2006)
$28,000 for a Polo!!!
You've got to be kidding me.
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franke 4:39PM (5/15/2006)
"6. $28,000 for a Polo!!!
You've got to be kidding me."
Its not the USA!!!! PLZ!!!!!
All cars are cheaper in the US, ok? ...
That said I still think it is too expensive. The Ford Fiesta ST (150bhp) costs about 20k $ in Sweden. The Polo GTI will be around 27k $. Sure, u get a bit more in the VW. An extra gear, probably more comfort and safety features. I still dont think that is enough. The price difference is too big.
I wouldnt give that kind of money for it.
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Jonathan 5:01PM (5/15/2006)
#7
UK car prices are notoriously high. That $28,000 includes the 17.5% VAT so right off the bat that's an added $5000.
In Germany the Polo GTI is ?18,950 which translates to around $24,000. Were VW to sell it in the US I bet it'd be below $20k. Keep in mind how weak the dollar is right now. In Germany, the Golf GTI is ?24,550 which is roughly $31,400. In the US, the GTI is $21,990.
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Aki 7:18PM (5/15/2006)
To me the Polo is what the GTI should be: a smaller, affordable car with some zip. VW's trying to hard to go upscale when it already has Audi. Phaeton was the most notorious example, but they still try pulling that off with the $40k Passat.
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MikeW 8:39PM (5/15/2006)
What no twincharger?!?
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PJ 3:21AM (5/16/2006)
This is a class of car that I've been wishing would make its way to the States: the Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 206 GTI, Renault Clio Cup, etc...
Yes, size matters, but to the opposite effect with cars than with anatomy: mass is the enemy. I'm glad I'm not alone in seeing the appeal of cars that do 0-60 in the 6-second range yet still return 30-something MPG.
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Erik 10:08AM (5/16/2006)
Just for reference to you guys remarking about the car's weight,
The MKV GTI is around 3150 or so...
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Olaf 8:33PM (5/17/2006)
BTW - the new Rabbit will be offered in the US for just under $15k - the 2 door version mind you....
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