VW Polo GTI Mk6 makes show debut – 0-100 km/h 6.7s

VW Polo GTI Mk6 makes show debut – 0-100 km/h 6.7s

The new Mk6 Volkswagen Polo GTI has made its motor show debut at the ongoing IAA 2017 in Frankfurt. The latest Polo GTI is the performance flagship of the sixth-generation Polo range that surfaced in June this year. This time, the hot hatch is five-door only, with the three-door variant dropped.

We already know that the new Polo GTI comes with a bigger and brawnier 2.0 litre TSI engine with 200 PS (outgoing car had 192 PS from a 1.8 TSI) – now we know that it also has 320 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm, and that it does 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Top speed is 237 km/h. A six-speed manual will be available next year.

To compare, the latest Fiesta ST pumps out 200 PS and 290 Nm of torque, but from a downsized 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo engine. With a six-speed manual gearbox, it also races from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The fast Fiesta is three-door and much smaller in size, though.

VW Polo GTI Mk6 makes show debut – 0-100 km/h 6.7s

Compared to the previous Polo GTI, this new one is lower and longer, wider and lower, with its wheelbase getting a significant 94 mm bump. For the first time, the Polo GTI, which sits on a shortened MQB modular platform, gets optional Sport Select active dampers. The standard fixed sports suspension sits 15 mm lower than the non-GTI spec items.

The hot Polo gets the usual GTI add-ons, including a unique front bumper design with honeycomb elements, a red stripe that extends from the grille into the LED headlights, large rear spoiler and dual tail pipes. 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers and plenty of GTI badging complete the exterior makeover.

Inside, it gets GTI trademark Clark tartan seats, a sports steering wheel with red contrast stitching, black rooflining and a GTI gear knob. A second-generation Active Info Display, Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Active Cruise Control are also available, among others tech.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Well... on Sep 14, 2017 at 10:52 am

    The performance is close to those of Golf GTi’s. VW ever wonder that buyers would choose the cheaper Polo over the Golf instead?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
    • Polo GTi is small compared with Golf GTi, more like a weekend fun toy car. I am happy they dumped the famously unreliable 1.4 fancy TSi engine to the 1.8 engine. May get one if it becomes available here.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • VW Owner Since 2010 on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:44 pm

      Cause a new VW Golf is coming soon

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • BetterbuyBoy on Sep 14, 2017 at 10:53 am

    Optima GT 250hp. Fullstop

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 26
    • Bob_B78 on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Different category and polo gti likely to be cheaper than kia

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Manual transmission please….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • VW just killed their own Golf GTI..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 22
    • darkerthangrey on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:47 pm

      Does it matter if the Polo sells more? Its called progressive planning ahead of the new VW Golf launch in 2019. So you will have steady stream of income from 2017 till 2011 at least, based on sales in first two years from launch

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • liang on Sep 15, 2017 at 10:21 am

      VW always launch their Polo’s two years apart from the Golf, since the 70’s. Its their strategy. It works.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:09 am

    if the polo is as fast as the golf, why should one get a golf?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 10
  • Henry on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:23 am

    Wait for the manual. Lower tech but less troublesome in the long run.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • I doubt it. Last polo gti with 1.8 lt engine n 6 speed manual tranny did not make it to Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • 12yrsold on Sep 14, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Any VW with the “GTi” insignia is a welcome addition. If VW can sell it below RM 150k, there will many Polo GTi running around.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Last batch polo gti selling for RM120k. Clearance sale. All sold out

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Mr. Octopus on Sep 14, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    If this is what they did with the Polo GTI, can’t wait to see what the next Golf GTI is gonna be like!…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Car lover on Sep 14, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    Not surprised , and disappointed, 2.0 turbo for Polo too much( should be in golf) , too wasted , heavy and too big to fit inside, Honda got good down size engine like 1.0 liter and 1.5 liter turbo engine and BMW 1.5 liter turbo engine at 2++ horse power . Hope VW bring back the 1.4 twin charger engine even thought alot problem and hope they refined it .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 14
    • taklimat awam on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:53 pm

      VW was doing forced induction (downsized turbos) since several years ago. They stopped it to reduce cost and maintenance cost for owners as well. Ford learned the costly after effects of downsizing when they launched their Focus 1.0. It was too costly for owners to maintain the engine.

      So now while the Japanese are finally getting into downsizing, the Europeans (pioneers in motorvehicles technologies) are leaving it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Nordin on Sep 14, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    In Europe it is considered as a normal car. In Europe it is considered like the Proton in Malaysia.

    But come here, it is priced like BMW or Mecedes.

    VGM and VPCM syiok sendiri thinking their cars are like Bentley category

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 18
    • for the same price, you can get Jetta 1.4 Turbo or Civic 1.8 NA wor… got mercedes price meh?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
    • forza on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:55 pm

      Have you been to Europe? GTI’s are expensive models everywhere..even in Europe.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Speedos not kill but speeding does ! on Sep 14, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    My proton does 6.5s…damn must improve further

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 9
  • Sweet BlackTayar on Sep 14, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    My modded classic mini did 6 sec to the century…..Cost barely 20k in all. Celok celok was very fun. I bet gti cant do what I could do….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 11
    • ..but the GTI is a proper 4 doors family hatchback…comfy, refine & good boots space too!. I bet your modded classic mini cant do that…Its a family hatch back which is practical & sporty too!..thats what a VW gti is…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
      • Mini definitely! on Sep 14, 2017 at 6:28 pm

        There is a mini cooper s 5 door dude. Go sit in a current mini s, interior quality is on par if not surpass the 3 series. Surprisingly practical. With 2 kids we could pack everything for a 5d4n trip to penang. Its a good hobby car with prestige. Other kids love n drag their parent to see. Girls and OL come n ask permission to take pics. Security guard reserve a space for me without me asking. Wow..didnt thought the price come with such prestige. Even my 2017 530i could not achieve that.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 10
  • faizal on Sep 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    this version release mainly for WRC i think…. the rivals are Fold Fiesta

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

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