VW Polo GTI released
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Volkswagen
26th November, 2010
The new top model in the Polo range is easy to recognise as a GTI
at first glance – inside and outside. It openly displays the visual insignia of this nameplate.
GTI exterior: Since Volkswagen's very first GTI, the Golf GTI of the year 1976, the GTI nameplate has become
one of the most familiar badges in the world of automotive sportiness. One of the typical visual insignias of
this badge is the unmistakable front end. Here the new Polo GTI also stands out from the crowd with the two
classic red trim stripes on its radiator grille. From its role model – the larger Golf GTI – it has adopted the
honeycomb structure of the air intakes in the uniquely styled front apron. Also GTI-specific are the mudguard
flares and the rear spoiler painted in body colour. Other exterior details of the Polo GTI include 17-inch alloy
wheels in “Denver” design that offer a view of the red painted brake callipers, as well as a customised rear
apron with a diffuser look in its lower section. Integrated on the left side are the chrome dual tailpipes
of the exhaust system.
One other feature is available optionally for the first time on the Polo GTI in this model series: the
completely new layout of the bi-xenon headlights.
GTI interior: Here too the Polo impresses with genuine GTI ambiance. This is already achieved by the standard
top sport seats with their classic fabric covers in typical tartan pattern, which stylishly recall those first
Golf GTIs of the 1970s. The roof liner, roof pillar trim, grab handles and sun visors are all styled in a sporty
black; a glossy black surface treatment also decorates the panels of the centre console. They are coordinated
with intentionally contrasting colour and material accents such as brushed chrome for the air vent surrounds and
chrome accents for the round control knobs. Also completely styled in this brushed chrome look are the inside
door handles, frames for the gear shift lever and parking brake, the DSG gearshift gate and the three spokes of
the leather sport steering wheel. Styled in classic red are the distinctive decorative seams on the gearshift
boot, parking brake grip and steering wheel.
Moreover, the extensive list of standard features emphasise that sportiness and comfort are not incompatible
concepts in the new Volkswagen Polo GTI. Along with the features already mentioned, they also include pedal caps
in aluminium look, electric window lifts in front (three-door) and rear (five-door), electric adjusting and
heated door mirrors, air conditioning, remote control of central locking and front fog lights. The leather
trimmed steering wheel is equipped with two DSG paddles, one on the left and one on the right.
Then there is, of course, a passive safety package with front airbags, front side and curtain airbags as well
as seatbelt pretensioners in front – features that make this Volkswagen not only the best and most fuel efficient
Polo GTI since the model series was begun, but also the safest.
TSI Drive
- GTI performance: 132 kW and 250 Nm leave no questions unanswered
- GTI sustainability: 6.1 l/100 km and 142 g/km CO2 are new GTI records
Polo GTI reaches back nearly a quarter of a century and is based on the Polo Coupé G40 from 1986. As the
first car ever to be equipped with a mechanical G-charger – it re-defined the vehicle dynamic limits in this
segment. Its engine had a power of 83 kW and gave the Polo G40 a top speed of nearly 200 km/h. In contrast, the
predecessor of the new Polo GTI first switched over to turbo technology in the year 2006. Its base version had a
power of 110 kW; the Cup Edition then took this figure up to 132 kW.
Now the new Volkswagen Polo GTIs go on sale in Australia. The combination of direct injection, super charger
and turbocharger under one engine bonnet will generate plenty of excitement in this market segment. The 132 kW
16-valve four-cylinder engine reaches its maximum power at 6,200 rpm. Its maximum torque of 250 Newton-metres is
also impressive for an engine of this size. It is there from 2,000 rpm and stays at a constantly high level up
to 4,500 rpm. These numbers highlight the fact that the very torque-strong and rpm-loving 1.4 TSI has an easy
game of it with the Polo GTI. It breathes a rare level of agility into the quick front-wheel drive car in all
of life’s situations and at all engine speeds.
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Weighing 1,189 kg, the Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. At the same time, it is Volkswagen's
most fuel efficient and lowest emitting GTI ever produced. Combined fuel consumption: just 6.1 litres per 100
kilometres. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 142 g/km. By comparison: Its direct predecessor with regard
to power – equipped with a 110 kW 1.8-litre turbo engine - consumed 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres (equivalent
to 190 g/km CO2). This means that the new car is 24 per cent more fuel efficient.
Technology of the 132 kW TSI in detail
Especially interesting from a technical perspective is a look at the complementary operating modes of the
supercharger and turbocharger. The mechanically belt-driven supercharger boosts the TSI’s torque at low engine
speeds. Its engine charging is based on the Roots Principle. A special aspect of the supercharger used
here is its internal gearing, which enables a high compressor power boost at low engine speeds.
At higher engine speeds, the turbocharger is also activated (with wastegate control). The supercharger and
turbocharger are arranged in series here. The supercharger is actuated by a solenoid integrated in a module
within the water pump. A control door ensures that the proper amount of fresh air reaches the turbocharger or
supercharger for any given operating point. In pure turbocharger mode, the control door is open. The air then
follows the familiar and conventional path for turbo engines: via the front intercooler and throttle valve
to the inlet pipe. Starting at an engine speed of 3,500 rpm, the supercharger turns all of the work over to
the turbocharger.
DSG transmission: Extremely efficient, extremely sporty
Having a positive effect on this dynamic is the standard 7-speed DSG. The direct shift gearbox unifies the
sports appeal and economy of a manual gearbox with the operating convenience of an automatic. As an
alternative to the fully-automatic mode, the DSG may also be shifted manually – either by gearshift lever via
the Tiptronic shift gate or via the standard shift paddle on the steering wheel.
The world’s first 7-speed DSG for large-scale production has – as its most prominent design characteristics
– two dry clutches whose pressure is regulated hydraulically. Engine power is transmitted to the dual clutch
via the crankshaft and a dual mass flywheel. Clutch one handles the odd-numbered gears, and clutch two the
even gears plus reverse gear. The results of this sophisticated clutch management: when shifting, there are no
gaps in propulsive power. Comfort and convenience are excellent, and the driver experience is incomparably
dynamic.
Responsible for this – along with an intelligent mechatronic system (electro-hydraulic transmission control)
– are two clutches as well as two drive shafts and three final drive shafts. This networked system makes it
possible to continually “lie in wait”, ready to go into action at the next higher driving level. And, indeed,
it is fast. Example: while the Polo is driven in sixth gear, the seventh gear is already engaged, but is not
yet “active”. As soon as the ideal shifting point has been reached, the clutch responsible for sixth gear
automatically opens, while the other one closes and “pre-activates” seventh gear.
This produces an overlap between opening and closing of the two clutches, and this leads to the comfortable
shifting described. The entire shifting process is completed within a few hundredths of a second, which is
much faster than even the most highly trained professional driver could achieve.
Sport Chassis – 15 Millimetres Lower
- GTI handling: ESP and XDL keep the strongest Polo on course
- GTI layout: MacPherson front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension
The top performing variant in the Polo model range is a thoroughly sporty car. Among the systems
responsible for this is the GTI sport chassis including ESP and the XDL extended electronic differential lock.
It ensures that the Polo GTI’s power is cleanly transferred to the road, even in tight corners. The running
gear is based on the fundamental layout of a MacPherson front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension
combined with exceptionally dynamic tuning. New, stiffer dampers are linked to specially modified springs that
lower the ride height by 15 millimetres compared to “Normal versions”. The effect: lower angles of body roll
and a lower centre of gravity. Both have positive effects on the vehicle's dynamics through curves. Serving
the same purpose are the low-profile tyres (215/40 R17 87V) on alloy wheels in GTI-typical 5-hole “Denver”
styling (7”x17), whose look the new top Polo shares with the Golf GTI.
Perfectly regulated: ESP plus XDL sets the direction
When it comes to safety, the Polo GTI is fully equipped right from the factory, e.g. with generously
dimensioned brakes and the standard ESP Stabilisation Programme. Networked with this are numerous other
electronic modules such as the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill Start Assist, Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR),
Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL).
Tyre pressure is also sensed by the standard low tyre pressure indicator.
A modern extension of familiar EDL functions is the XDL extended electronic differential lock, like the
one Volkswagen presented for the first time on the Golf GTI. XDL improves handling through fast curves and
calibrates the car to be more “neutral”, since it prevents slip of the unloaded wheel at the inside of the
curve by active brake intervention, improving traction. This system, standard equipment on the Polo GTI,
accesses existing sensor data such as steering wheel angle, yaw rate and wheel speeds. The effect: more
safety and driving fun, because the Polo GTI steers even more precisely with XDL.
Manufacturer's List Prices*
Polo GTI 3-door 7-speed DSG $27,790*
Polo GTI 5-door 7-speed DSG $28,990*
NOTE: * The prices indicated in this news story are the Manufacturer List Prices. As such, the
traditional "on-road" costs, such as dealer delivery fees and the various statutory charges are not included.
For "drive-away" prices it is necessary to consult an authorised Volkswagen dealer. Additionally, prices, fees
and charges are subject to change without notice.
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