The new Volkswagen Polo wearing the legendary GTI badge will arrive on New Zealand shores in February.
The 1194kg Volkswagen sports car reportedly accelerates to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 229km/h. And with a twincharged 1.4-litre TSI engine (turbo plus supercharging) and 250Nm torque, its pulling power is impressive for this lightweight four-door. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG gear box.
Volkswagen says the new model is 25% more fuel efficient with a 5.9L/km consumption figure.
Comfort features include electro-hydraulic power steering, electric windows in front and rear, central locking, driver seat height adjustment, climatronic air conditioning, cruise control, green tinted insulated glass and privacy glass in rear window and rear side windows with 65% light absorption. And, multimedia includes RCD 510 radio CD system with large high resolution, colour touch screen, 6-disc CD changer, MP3 and MWA file compatible and AUX-IN multimedia socket, iPod adapter cable and Bluetooth phone preparation.
The GTI will be the first Polo to be available with optional bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights, LED daytime running lights and corner marker lights.
GTI-specific features as standard are red trim on the radiator grill and honeycomb on air intakes and front fog lights, as well as a sport seat system, leather covered multi-function steering-wheel with GTI design DSG paddles, sports suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Safety features consist of airbags, belt tensioners, front head restraints as well as Isofix points on the rear seat for suitably fitted child seats. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reportedly reduces the tendency to understeer and improves handling. Like all versions of the model series, the Polo GTI also comes equipped with the standard ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) including hill hold control.
