More of the Same: Volkswagen Polo GTI rumormill swirls
Click above to view the current Volkswagen Polo GTI in our hi-res image gallery
The interwebs were all alight like Times Square last night with reports of a new Polo GTI on the way. According to Auto Express, the mini-GTI will upgrade on the upcoming replacement for the current Polo with all manner of GTI-trademarked upgrades, from sport seats to the black grille with red stripe, with power provided by the same 1.4-liter twin-charged TSI four as the upcoming SEAT Ibiza Cupra and driving 178hp through a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG to reach sixty in about seven seconds.
Sounds good, though we're not likely to get the Polo in the American market, in regular or sport versions, for the foreseeable future. What the reports apparently neglect to mention, however, in their enthusiasm for a revived Polo GTI, is that Volkswagen already makes one. The current Polo GTI revived the model in late 2005 with a 1.8-liter turbo four offering up 148hp. Because that didn't measure up against the competition, VW came out with the Cup Edition that boosted output up to 178hp, the same output which Auto Express pegs for the new version. If the new Polo GTI does indeed bow this year in Frankfurt, we'll be on hand to bring it to you live, but one thing's for sure: Wolfsburg will hardly be reinventing the wheel if and when it does.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mitch 7:20PM (1/01/2009)
I agree that the current gen polo gti didn't measure up in stock form, the thing is, it actually used quite a large displacement engine for its class, and that meant that with a simple tune it's power output could easily be over 200hp. And that made a difference, a big difference in such a small car.
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mmstowes 7:21PM (1/01/2009)
Makes sense. The next GTI won't differ much in terms of engine output from the current GTI. People seem to get hung up on horsepower numbers these days. If you don't make Mazdaspeed 3 numbers you're apparently a nobody...*smh*
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Mobius_1 7:41PM (1/01/2009)
Or you could buy a SEAT... Maybe VW has taken this a little bit too far when one company offers essentially the same car for less money. (As is the case with the Golf MkV GTI vs Scirocco vs some kinda SEAT)
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Noidor 1:15AM (1/02/2009)
SEAT isn't as nice inside as a VW counterpart - a bit less refined overall.
pmiddle5 7:59PM (1/01/2009)
May I order one now?
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Gary 12:10AM (1/02/2009)
I thought there was supposed to be huge demand for tiny cars in America?
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Sandok 4:54AM (1/02/2009)
Yes... That is, until the gas prices dropped and people started buying more SUVs than cars again *sigh*
Aki 1:48AM (1/02/2009)
I swear if the Polo came out in the US it'd sell like hot cakes--well maybe not with this economic climate. Either way, nother numb-skulled move by VW.
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Used cars 2:24AM (1/02/2009)
Wow what a car I think volkswagen is the popular for the sober cars. And polo is the perfect model. I like in polo is Classy image, a wide engine range and cushy ride.
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Falcom 2:13PM (1/16/2009)
can somone translate?
andy 4:58AM (1/02/2009)
I like it, reminds me of the the Golf III which is still my favorite GTI. With all this talk about making cars more efficient why are new models almost always bigger the the outgoing one?
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taipeileviathan 9:50AM (1/02/2009)
i never knew that rumormills could swirl...
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