Volkswagen Polo GTI officially unveiled

Volkswagen India has unveiled the high performance Polo GTI hatchback at the 2016 Auto Expo. The car will be launched in a few months from now as a range topping variant in the Polo line up. It won’t really compete with the Fiat Punto Abarth due to two reasons. One, it’s much faster and more powerful. Two, it’s a CBU, which means that it’ll be quite pricey. So, why is VW launching a hatchback under the Polo brand, at a price that could easily nudge the 20 lakh mark? Well, that’s what brand builders are all about.

The 3 door Polo GTI will give enthusiasts the opportunity of experiencing a “true” hot hatchback, the likes of which are scarce in India. The only other car that’s comparable to the kind of performance the Polo GTI offers is the Mini Cooper S, and that car nearly costs 40 lakh rupees. So, the Polo GTI, at nearly half the money, will get you to 100 Kph from standstill faster than BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 sedans, and let you hit a top speed of 236 Kph when you find the road to do so.

The 1.8 turbo petrol engine of this car makes 189 Bhp-250 Nm, and drives the front wheels by means of a 7 speed, twin clutch automatic gearbox. ESP, ABS, EBD, traction control, 6 airbags and hill hold assist are standard safety features. The suspension in this car is tauter than the regular Polos you see on the road, while the three door body style is another major differentiator. The interiors are plusher than those on the regular Polos. VW, please do a CKD and keep it affordable!