Turbocharged four-cylinder power plant. The heart of a GTI is always the engine. Like all its predecessors, the new Polo GTI has front-wheel drive. The turbocharged direct petrol injection engine delivers 152 kW (207 PS) and permits a top speed of 240 km/h. Gear changes are performed as standard by a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). Since the Polo GTI from 2006, the engines have always been turbocharged, continuing the tradition of the Polo GT G40 from 1987. The current version permits outstanding performance – especially for a compact sports car like the Polo GTI. It completes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds. The maximum torque is 320 Nm at 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. The technical highlights of the 2.0 TSI front transverse engine (capacity: 1,984 cc) in the new Polo GTI include features such as a dual injection system with combined direct and manifold injection, an engine control unit with four core processors and an electronic valvelift system on the intake side. In spite of its high output, the engine impresses through its efficiency and moderate consumption, which is also a factor of the Polo GTI’s low DIN kerb weight of min. 1,286 kg.
Sport Select running gear and driving profile selection. The new Polo GTI can be optionally configured with Sport Select running gear. The driver can activate two different damping characteristics for the switchable shock absorbers. Driving profile selection comes as standard in the new Polo GTI and offers the four modes Eco, Individual, Normal and Sport. Within defined limits, the modes allow the driver to make individual settings that have a direct effect on vehicle handling. For example, the steering, engine characteristic and gearbox control system are adapted in addition to the Sport Select running gear, depending on the selected profile. In Sport mode, the sound of the exhaust system is automatically modified to make it sportier; this feature can also be selected in the configurable Individual driving profile. In addition to the switchable shock absorbers, the Sport Select running gear also includes a larger-size stabiliser on the front axle, more rigid coupling rods at the front and stiffer axle locating mounts at the rear. Here, too, the body is lowered by 15 mm. Compared with the Polo, this reduces the height of the Polo GTI to 1,439 mm with an identical length of 4,074 mm and width of 1,751 mm. In the Eco profile, the engine management system, air conditioning system and other ancillary equipment are controlled in order to achieve optimum fuel consumption. In addition, the DSG allows use of a coasting function in this mode: if the driver takes their foot off the accelerator – during downhill sections, for example – the DSG disengages and the engine runs at idling speed. This allows optimum use of the Polo GTI’s kinetic energy and consumption can be reduced further.