Two race-quailty boost hose kits for the Polo GTI 6R have recently been added to Forge Motorsport’s tuning parts catalogue. Based on the original specification items, Forge’s silicone woven fabric reinforcement hoses are easy and direct replacements over Volkswagen’s official parts, and can tolerate higher boost pressures and temperatures, as well as a longer life. They can be ordered black, blue, or red, and will also fit the 1.4 TSI Audi A1 TFSI, SEAT Ibiza Cupra/Cupra Bocanegra and Skoda Fabia vRS (twin-charged models only). Prices start at £111.30 excluding VAT for the four-hose kit, while the complete kit retails at £160.97 excluding VAT. For more information, visit the Forge Motorsport website.

In the latest issue of Volkswagen’s digital magazine ‘Das.’ the Polo GTI is captured on camera by German photographer Uwe Breitkopf. The seven stunning images feature a Shadow Blue three-door out on the streets, and the dynamic angles really catch the spirit of the small tearaway Volkswagen. With CGI used to complement the car, Breitkopf sates that, ‘Instead of revealing every detail, high contrast and a reduced colour code gives the images a strong and powerful graphic composition, inspiring the imagination.’ See the set of fantastic images for yourself at www.volkswagen-das.co.uk/#/spectacularview where you can also subscribe for future issues of the interactive magazine.

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI by Uwe Breitkopf

I still can’t quite believe that I’m driving something so much newer than the small 18 year-old hatchback (despite what VW say, the Mk 2 Polo coupé is a decidely usual hatchback shape) that has been part of my life for the last 12 years. The first three months with Y464 GHJ have largely been spent getting to know the car, and, as a freelance graphic designer, have been spent on the UK’s A-road and motorway network. Buying the car must have been an omen; little did I know at the time of purchase that I’d be regularly spending time driving to jobs. Something which in the elderly coupé, while enjoyable, would have been much less relaxing.

In my first report I asked if I’d made the right choice with VW’s baby hot hatch. More fun than the contemporary Golf GTI, but not quite as much of a tearaway as the smaller Lupo GTI with which the Polo shared its engine, I would answer that question with an emphatic ‘yes’. Three months on (to the calendar date) from the point of purchase, I’m still looking for any opportunity to take the GTI out, and every time I do, I enjoy it. A lot…

Part of that must come from the modernity. A well-specified car when new, the climate control, xenon headlights, CD multichanger (paired to a cassette deck head unit), electric mirrors and windows are a world away from the basic-equipped coupé. Of course, kit count is much higher these days, but to a driver used to winding his own windows and unlocking all the doors with a key, the GTI’s added level of usability is impressive.

Extra kit means extra things to go wrong, though. Around a month ago, the driver’s door window stuck in the (thankfully) up position. Booked into the independent VW specialist not far from home revealed that VW has changed the regulator since the car was new, and it now has to be mounted to the corresponding motor. £300 for a repair dismayed my fix-it man, so after wobbling the window free, and a liberal dose of oil and grease, the window was once again back to its sliding self. Bodge-it cost? £39.00 or thereabouts.

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI – old wheel cap

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI – new wheel caps

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI – new wheel cap

2001 Volkswagen Polo GTI: service indicator

Our cars: 2001 Polo GTI

Another impressive quality of a 10 year-old Polo GTI is the engine. A 16V 125bhp unit with variable valve timing, it really does propel the 1084kg car quite quickly, and I can quite believe Volkswagen’s quoted 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds and 127mph top speed. While not as effortless as Volkswagen’s latest twincharged Polo GTI 1.4 TSI, the driver is rewarded with a sporty growl on acceleration, and it’s all handled in an accomplished manner.

Equally accomplished is the refinement. Some would say that the best small fast cars aren’t about refinement, and while I’d be inclined to agree, it does help life with the car from time to time. Here the Polo GTI doesn’t miss either, with a good ride and general air of calmness. True, it’s not the definitive word in sharp handling, but it’s competent enough, the steering well-weighted and the body roll well contained. Ultimately it will still be too much of an understeerer for some, but overall, it’s on the right side of sporty.

So, 2000 miles in and I’m pleased to report that Y464 and I are getting along just fine. Yes, I’ve still got to fathom out the best setting for the air-conditioning to work at its optimum, and have to learn to look past the peeling plastic interior door handles, but they’re hardly faults of the car itself. As the 70,000-mile mark approaches, I’m hoping Christmas will bring some cosmetic improvements (I’ve already fitted a new ‘bee-sting’ aerial mast and seal, as well as wheel centre caps), with wheel nut covers, new badges and floor mats some of the items on my wish list to the big man in the red and white suit. As the GTI’s been good to me over the past three months, the least I can do is be seasonally nice (and not naughty) to reward it.

Want to know more? Head over to the excellent Petrolblog.com to read how and why Rich bought his 2001 VW Polo GTI

Performance braking systems manufacturer Tarox has released details of its ‘Motorsport’ kit for the 6R Polo GTI, which will also fit SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Skoda Fabia vRS models from 2010 onwards. The company states that each kit is manufactured in the company’s Italian factory, and is based around race-proven B30 six-piston billet calipers, and uses two 323mm heat-drilled discs which come in either ‘F2000’ (grooved) or ‘Sport Japan’ (drilled and grooved) options. The rotors are made from European high carbon casts, meaning the disc will withstand much greater heat without distortion.

All the Tarox kit’s components bolt onto Volkswagen’s OEM mounting points, and also integrate with the car’s original ABS system. The Tarox conversion also has a weight saving of over 1kg per corner, and ‘Strada’ street, or ‘Corsa’ circuit pads can be specified. Everything is included in the B30 6 550×366 kit, which comprises of all fittings, all-braided stainless steel race-quality lines and fluids. All are covered under a lifetime guarantee. For more information on the Tarox range, visit http://en.tarox.com/.

Leading performance exhaust supplier Jetex now offers a cat-back system for the latest 6R Polo GTI 1.4 TSI (2010 onwards). Costing £460 including VAT, the half-system is made from 2.5-inch (63mm) T304 stainless steel with twin 80mm round pipes, providing an enchanced, but not intrusive, exhaust note. The 6R GTI performance system also features reduced back pressure to complement the supercharged and turbocharged TSI engine’s performance. Interested? Contact Jetex on 01789 298989 (quoting part number 27-HADR) or visit the company’s website for more details and to find out about its products for older Polo models.

In late summer, one of Volkswagen UK’s press fleet Polo GTIs came to rural Dorset with us for a 1000-mile test. J6 VWW experienced country lanes, motorways, and town roads in its time with us, and today, we’ve published a 14-page digital mini-magazine of our 14-day findings with the car. We first drove the latest performance Polo back in June, but the lanes in and around and south coast really gave us a chance to stretch its legs. As a cut-price Golf GTI, it’s an enticing proposition. Read what we thought of the controversial DSG gearbox, the searing performance, and how the car marries performance and refinement. Click the magazine graphic below, or if you can’t see the preview, visit this link. The sixth of our special digital mini-magazines, check out the PoloDriver bookshelf for our previous five titles. The first issue features mini-tests of the current Polo range in general, while the third is an account of our first drives of the SEL 1.2 TSI and 1.2 BlueMotion TDI.

On 26 August, Volkswagen Group Malaysia launched the Polo GTI 6R at the Sepang International Circuit. Launched in Europe in May 2010, the Malaysian model appears the same as the European variant, but there are however, some key differences, especially when compared to UK cars. Engine and transmission choice is the same (178bhp/132kW, 1.4-litre TSI unit with seven-speed DSG gearbox), but Malaysian cars are equipped with a multifunction steering wheel, parking sensors, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and an electric panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, all of which are optional extra-cost items in the UK. As in South Africa, Malaysia Polo GTIs come with alcantara seat coverings (optional on UK SEL models) as opposed to the ‘Jacara’ cloth in Europe.

Despite having more power than its direct predecessor, the 148bhp Polo GTI 9N3, the GTI 6R is 24% more fuel efficient, and has CO2 emissions of 139g/km compared to 188g/km of its ancestor. Weight is unchanged to the European cars at 1194kg, and performance is the same as in other markets. Top speed is 142mph/229km/h, and the 0-62mph/0-100km/h dash is dispensed with in 6.9 seconds. Power is transferred to the front wheels via the DSG gearbox, and an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces the tendency to understeer. Prices start at RM132, 888.00 for the three-door version while the five-door is priced at RM135,888.00. The Polo GTI comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty plus a five-year roadside assistance package. Visit www.volkswagen.com.my for details.

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI (Malaysia)

While the report on our 1000 miles with J6 VWW, one of Volkswagen UK’s press fleet Polo GTIs is still forthcoming, here’s a wallpaper to whet some appetitites in the meantime. Pictured outside the ultra-modern Salvation Army Citadel in Chelmsford, the smaller Volkswagen GTI looks just the compact yet sporty part. We’ll post more pictures as we process them – along with the full written report for our digital magazine bookshelf – but for now, here’s a very bright wallpaper in 1024x768px, 1280x800px, and 1920x1080px sizes.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. In the space of four days, I thought about getting a car, went and saw two locally, and ended up buying the first one I saw. Little over a month ago, I hadn’t even considered driving anything other than my 18 year-old Polo GT Coupé. But that was before the Volkswagen UK 2011 Polo GTI arrived, and unwittingly – and starkly – pointed out that even a 1993 car is now an antique. Lovingly referred to by family members as ‘the classic car’, the coop has covered 164,000 mies, 116,000 of those in my 12-year ownership. But, surprisingly (both to me and those that know me), it now has a new driveway mate.

As I hadn’t considered buying another, newer, car, I hadn’t really thought about what form that more modern, refined, yet cheap fun potential purchase would take. Being a lifelong fan, I guess it was always going to be a Volkswagen, although when I started looking at my £3000 limit, all sorts of machinery presented itself. From early Renaultsport Clio 172s (I’ve always liked the look of the first-generation cars) through to first-year, high-mileage Audi A2s, the search was quite an eye-opener. But as you can see from the picture above, I again plumped for a Polo, my fifth. Was it really going to be anything else?

A 2001-model GTI, it has a 1.6-litre, 125bhp VVT engine, and is seemingly a lot of car for the money. With ABS, CD player, digital air-conditioning/climate control, EDL, headlamp washers, power-steering, remote central locking, sport seats and xenon headlights, it ticks all the equipment boxes, and the fact that it looks natty with its 15-inch BBS alloys and Reflex Silver paintwork sealed the deal. It’s only covered 67,000 miles, too and comes with an almost solely Volkswagen Retailer stamped up service book. There are some little bits and pieces that need sorting naturally (it is a 10 year-old car after all), but that’s half the fun. The interior needs a good clean, too , but it’s nothing an afternoon of elbow grease shouldn’t sort out.

I’ve got no plans for the car apart from the initial tidy up, as I’d like to keep it standard. The first parts have been bought – a set of mudflaps to protect the paintwork, and also a replacement whip aerial mast to replace the corroded chrome one that’s on the car at the moment. There were things to look out for, though. Volkswagen issued a pedal box recall around seven years ago, and this car’s been done, and it’s also had a recent cambelt change. The gearbox feels fine too, as these can cause problems.

At 38, is it my ‘mid-life crisis’ car? I don’t think so, it’s just a much more sensible option for these modern times we live in (although not as sensible as a three-cylinder TDI might have been, of which I only saw three advertised at a 2000-2002 vintage). Yes the Clio 172 would have been more fun in an enthusiast sense, but the possibly flaky build and cheap-looking interior did it no favours. Have I made the right choice? I’m hoping my first foray into GTI ownership will be as much of a pleasure to own as its driveway predecessors, but only time will tell. But, when your other half tells you it’s a good-looking car, you know you could be onto a winner.

Look at that. Two silver ‘sports’ Polos on the drive. Only 18 years and 103bhp separate them. Whereas our long-term 75bhp Polo GT coupé relies on simple mechanical make-up and charm to make up for its lack of electric fripperies, Volkswagen UK’s 178bhp Polo GTI press car is packed with tech. Top of the technological spec sheet must be the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine, which features both a turbocharger and a supercharger. Then there’s XDS, an electronic differential lock, and electric everything. We’ve got J6 VWW for two whole weeks and we’ve got lots of miles planned. We hope to exploit its performance, test its dynamic polish, and see if it’s as all-round a package as its bigger brother, the Golf GTI. Follow the updates on our Twitter feed at @polodrivercom, and if you’ve had experience of Volkswagen’s latest pocket rocket (or its closely related SEAT or Škoda cousins), tell us what you think.

It might have taken a while to come on stream, but the smallest VW GTI seems to be impressing folk. Our Twitter feed has been littered with Polo GTI-related tweets over the last few weeks, so here’s a quick round-up of our content that you may have missed if you don’t follow us. And if you don’t, why not?

Polo GTI awarded Motor magazine’s ‘Bang For Your Bucks’ prize: http://goo.gl/fb/4fk54

The Volkswagen South Africa Date Drive results are in. And, a Polo GTI can make you sexier! Check out the infographic to see the evidence: http://twitpic.com/5melk6

Sam Wollaston of The Guardian newspaper in the UK writes about his all too brief encounter with the Polo GTI: http://t.co/kPEZ78a

Two Polo GTIs are also featuring in long-term test experiences. Ian Dickson, cars editor of MSN is running a five-door red model, and Stephen Dobie of evo magazine is running a three-door white car. Find out how they are doing by following @the_roadtester and @evoStephenDobie on Twitter respectively.

Finally, don’t forget you can read about our first drive of the 178bhp performance Polo here: http://ow.ly/5G2vc

For extra PoloDriver.com content, conversations and links that aren’t on the main website, remember to follow us at www.twitter.com/@polodrivercom

The latest version of the Volkswagen Polo GTI has scooped Australian car magazine Motor’s fiercely-fought ‘Bang For Your Bucks’ award. According to Motor, the performance Polo was the ‘hands-down performance bargain of the year. We pumped its Bang and Buck scores into our formula for the last five years and it won, every time,’ the judges wrote. ‘When we set up our formula, you were never supposed to be able to buy this much performance for just $27,990,’ the judging team continued.

The annual ‘Bang For Your Bucks’ winner is decided by the competitor’s ability over categories such as dynamics, handling, performance and speed. One of the key attributes in the Polo GTI’s success is the clever 1.4-litre, 178bhp/132kW engine which uses a supercharger to provide boost at lower revs, before a turbocharger kicks in at higher engine speeds. Add a trick seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox to the package, and Volkswagen have clearly created a technology-packed winner.

‘We are pleased the judging team at Motor magazine appreciated the Polo GTI’s all-round potential and obviously its affordable performance,’ said Anke Koeckler, Volkswagen Group Australia’s Managing Director. ‘With the larger Golf GTI winning last year’s Motor “Bang for Your Bucks Award”, the 2011 Polo GTI definitely lives up to the legendary badge with its superior handling properties combined with uncompromising engine responsiveness and impressive safety and economy figures’.

[Image: Motor magazine]

Fresh from day of driving the latest Volkswagens last Wednesday, here is our first drive report of the 2011 Polo GTI. We tested both three and five-door versions, and can report that the 178bhp performance Polo is a real firecracker and a lot of fun. Yes, it costs £18,795 (which is twice as much as our Polo GT Coupé did in 1994), but as a cut-price Golf GTI, it’s an enticing proposition. See how we got on driving around the leafy lanes of Berkshire by clicking on the magazine graphic below, or if you can’t see the preview, visit this link. The fifth of our special digital ‘mini-magazines’, check out the PoloDriver bookshelf for our previous four titles. The first issue features mini-tests of the current Polo range in general, while the third is an account of our first drives of the SEL 1.2 TSI and 1.2 BlueMotion TDI.

We spent yesterday at Cliveden, driving the latest additions to Volkswagen UK’s ever-expanding range around the sunny and leafy lanes of Berkshire. The star attraction of the press office event was the Polo GTI, which although having been on sale for almost a year, we still haven’t yet driven. Thankfully – at last – that has now been rectified, and it exceeded our expectations. Proving that the Polo can wear trainers when it wants to, it felt performance-focused, out-and-out sporty, but with a comfortable and mature edge. Come back in a few days when we’ll post about our findings proper (and also report on the other cars that we drove), but in the meantime, here’s a snapshot from the day’s fun activities.

We can exclusively reveal that Milltek Sport is currently in the final stages of testing a full turbo-back exhaust system for the new Polo GTI. Although it’s still in testing, Milltek confirms it sounds fantastic and really suits the mini-Golf GTI character of the car perfectly.

While the Polo GTI is closely related to the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Bocanegra 1.4 TSI, the exhaust design still required some subtle changes to suit the slightly different aesthetics of the Volkswagen variant. As you can see from the photos, the tailpipes really add a bit of glamour to the rear of the car and let other drivers know the GTI in front is a little bit special. Not that they won’t be able to tell that from new sound coming from the enlarged twin tailpipes.

The Milltek exhaust system will be available in cat-back form (which does not require ECU tuning), or for those wishing to take full advantage of the engine’s tuning potential, a full turbo-back option featuring a large-bore downpipe and hi-flow sports catalyst. Milltek only uses the highest quality German HJS catalysts to ensure that the car will remain emission-legal and pass the UK MOT test – even with an ECU remap and a full exhaust system. Through an extensive development process, Milltek engineers have been able to develop an exhaust that is rich in its depth of sound with an aggressive undertone but have also been able to ensure that the Polo GTI’s everyday cruising integrity within the cabin is preserved intact.

The Milltek performance exhaust packages for the Polo GTI will be available from your nearest Milltek stockist very soon. Visit www.millteksport.com/dealers to find your nearest Milltek dealer or contact Milltek Sport for further details on +44 1332 227 280. We’ll bring you more details on the performance exhaust packages available and pricing when they are released.

Contrasting with Volkswagen South Africa’s ‘Date Drive’ campaign, Volkswagen Singapore are launching the latest Polo GTI with the help of international beat-boxer Dharni Ng, and just like the South African campaign, the multimedia activities are aimed to get at younger drivers into the performance Polo. The one-minute commercial produced by advertising agency Tribal DDB Singapore – that accompanies an online game – sees noises from the car mixed into Ng’s beat-box soundtrack. The online game meanwhile, tests potential beat-boxer’s skills, with the winner getting the use of a Polo GTI for a weekend (a similar tactic to the South African campaign, where Polo GTIs are delivered when two Twitter users agree to a date) and runs until 8 May. More information on the Singaporean Polo GTI can be found here.

[Source: Adweek.com]

First Europe, then the UK, Australia and Singapore. Now the next launch pad for the Polo GTI (6R) is South Africa. Building demand and teasing prospective buyers is this Ogilvy Cape Town-produced ‘Coming Soon’ 40-second preview film, which shows scant details about the car itself. With a nod to the ‘light’ campaign which heralded the fifth-generation Polo’s arrival in 2009, this clip directs would-be GTI drivers to the preview website – http://www.datedrive.co.za/ – where they can submit their details to Volkswagen South Africa in order to learn more about the car. Eager South African hot Polo fans can also catch up with the drip-feed information by following an active and dedicated Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/DateDrive. Facebook users can also share the video with their friends.

At last, a positive verdict! Sorry, we had to give away the the result of this new Internet film, as for once, it was a thumbs up one. And what is said Internet film? UK motoring television show Fifth Gear tests the latest Polo GTI in its latest Web TV episode, and over a three-minute video, ‘Graham from the office’ takes the tiny tearaway to the roads of Wales to see if it has the legs on its in-house competition, the Škoda Fabia vRS and the SEAT Ibiza Cupra. Graham seems to genuinely like the performance Polo, and while he (and we) know it would lose a handling punch-up with a Renaultsport Clio 200, it’s pleasing to confirm that some of the new Polo GTI’s ‘softer’ qualities are, in the majority, benefits that the Clio doesn’t offer. Watch the film above to see Graham’s quick, but full verdict.

The firecracking GTI version of the fifth-generation Polo has been let loose on South African streets. The same as European and Australian versions, the latest performance Polo is powered by a 178bhp, 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged (‘twincharger’ in Volkswagen speak) engine, and scrabbles to 62mph in 6.9 seconds. Standard equipment includes a twin-clutch DSG gearbox with steering wheel paddles, 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels and a styling pack borrowed from the Golf GTI. Optional kit includes a panoramic sunroof (now sadly deleted from the UK options list). Prices of the four-door new Polo GTI start at R259,000. For more information, visit the Volkswagen South Africa website. The full Volkswagen South Africa press release and photo gallery follows.

The Polo GTI is back. A powerful 132 kW comeback!
The new Polo GTI lives up to its legendary name with superior handling properties combined with uncompromising engine dynamics and a maximum of safety. The list of high-tech features runs through the new Polo GTI like a common theme. Take the engine: This Polo is powered by a new 1.4-litre TSI with petrol direct injection plus turbo and supercharging. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces understeer and improves handling in fast driving through curves.

The Polo GTI is extremely agile and super efficient. Weighing 1,269kg, the Polo GTI accelerates to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 229km/h. At the same time, it is the most fuel efficient and lowest emitting GTI of all time. Combined fuel consumption is just 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres*. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 139g/km.

TSI drive: more power by engine charging
The combination of direct injection, supercharger and turbocharger will generate plenty of excitement in this segment. The 132 kW 16-valve four-cylinder engine reaches its maximum power at 6200 rpm. Its maximum torque of 250 Newton metres is also impressive for an engine of this size. This torque is achieved from 2000rpm and stays at a constantly high level up to 4500 rpm.

DSG transmission: extremely efficient and 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.

Sport chassis: 15 millimetres lower and 17-inch tyres
The top performing model in the Polo range is a thoroughly sporty and safe car. Among the systems responsible for this is the GTI sport chassis including ESP and the XDS electronic transverse differential lock. It ensures that the Polo GTI’s power is cleanly transferred to the road, even in tight serpentine curves. The running gear is based on the fundamental layout of a McPherson front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension combined with exceptional 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. Serving the same purpose are the low-profile tyres (215/40 R17 87V) on alloy wheels in GTI-typical 5-hole ‘Denver’ styling (7J x 17).

Perfectly regulated: ESP plus XDS sets the direction
When it comes to safety, the Polo GTI is fully equipped with generously dimensioned brakes and ESP. Networked with this are numerous other electronic modules such as the anti-lock braking (ABS), hill hold control, anti-slip regulation (ASR), engine drag torque control (MSR) and electronic differential locks (EDL). Tyre pressure is also sensed by the standard tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

A modern extension of familiar EDL function is the XDS electronic transverse differential lock, which was introduced for the first time on the Golf GTI. XDS 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, which is standard feature on the Polo GTI, accesses existing sensor data such as steering wheel angle, yaw rate and wheel speeds.

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: South Africa

Exterior: Here the sportiest Polo stands out from the crowd with the two classic red trim strips on its radiator grille. It sports the honeycomb structure of the air inlets inserts in the uniquely styled front apron. Also GTI-specific are the fender flares and the rear spoiler painted in body colour. Other exterior details of the Polo GTI include the 17-inch alloy wheels in ‘Denver’ styling that offer a clear 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. Another feature available for the first time on the new Polo GTI is the optional panoramic sunroof extending back to the B-pillars.

Interior: Here too the 132 kW Polo impresses with genuine GTI ambience. This is already achieved by the standard sport seats in Alcantara/Vienna leather trim combination. 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 styled in this brushed chrome look are door handles, frames for the gearshift lever and parking brake, the DSG gearshift gate and the three spokes of the leather sport steering wheel. The distinctive decorative seams on the gearshift boot, parking brake grip and steering wheel are styled in classic red.

The extensive list of standard features emphasises that sportiness and comfort are not incompatible concepts in the new Polo GTI. Other standard features include aluminium look pedals, all round electric windows, electric adjusting and heated side mirrors, ‘Climatic’ air conditioning and front fog lights. Then there is of course a passive safety package with driver and front passenger airbags, head-thorax side airbags and belt tensioners in front, as well as Isofix points on the rear bench seat for suitably fitted child seats.

Optional features
The following optional features are available with new Polo GTI:

• panoramic sunroof
• park distance control (rear)
• curtain airbags.

Exterior colours
Volkswagen will offer the new Polo GTI in six colours, namely Candy White, Flash Red, Black, Reflex Silver, Shadow Blue and Deep Black.

Retail price (VAT & Emissions Tax included)
1.4 TSI Polo GTI 132 kW DSG: R259,000

Service and Warranty
The new Volkswagen Polo GTI comes standard with a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. A 5-year/60,000km Volkswagen Automotion Maintenance Plan as well as a 5-year/60,000km Service Plan are optional. The service interval is 15,000 km.

* All claimed figures for fuel consumption and C02 emissions have been calculated using the prescribed and controlled methods of measurement. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on vehicle load, climatic and traffic conditions as well as driving style.

Anthony Ket, a photographer based in Melbourne, Australia, took these stunning sunset shots of his wife Shara’s new 2011 Polo GTI. He takes up the story of how a hotshot Polo ended up on the Ket driveway: ‘Shara has never actually owned a new car before, having always borrowed her parents car for 12 years! One night she was flipping through my many car magazines and noticed the specs on the VW Polo GTI, and instantly said, “I want this car.” 1.4-litres, twincharged, 132kw, five doors, DSG and more importantly, a base price of AUS$28,990! The hardest part was finding one, as in Australia at the moment supply is so limited that there is a 8-12 month waiting list for a vehicle to be produced and then delivered! (It’s exactly the same quotes elsewhere, especially in the UK, Anthony – PD.)

‘This wasn’t good news as Shara needed a new car quite urgently, and we were given the runaround with many Volkswagen dealers listing a Polo GTI for sale but after having contacted them and being told that they only had one demonstrator and none actually for sale, we were bitterly disappointed. Luckily, after trawling through the many fake online car adverts, we found our Flash Red Polo GTI located three hours drive away. We called the dealer, made sure it was definitely for sale and then took off the next morning on a six-hour return trip to secure the purchase. Next you know we have a shiny new VW Polo GTI siting in the driveway!’. And now you’ve got a fantastic set of pictures to go with it, Anthony.

[Images: Anthony Ket – www.anthonyket.com]

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI – www.anthonyket.com