Volkswagen Polo GTI ( two thousand fifteen )
The fresh Volkswagen Polo GTI is clearly recognisable as the sporty flagship of the series, both in the 2-door and the 4-door version. Freshly designed bumpers and typical GTI insignia such as distinctive wheels and the crimson strips in the radiator grille and the H7 headlights or optional LED headlights give the car a dynamic appearance. The Polo GTI is also tooled with sports suspension as standard, lowering its stance on the road by fifteen mm. With an exterior length of Three,983 mm and a width of 1,682 mm (1,901 mm including wing mirrors) the Polo (height: 1,450 mm) is one of the most compact sports cars on the market.
The Polo GTI is available for the very first time with LED headlights (dipped and main slat), and daytime running lights also provided by LEDs. Hallmarks of the Polo GTI include the crimson unwrap framing the radiator grille with its characteristic GTI honeycomb structure; in the fresh GTI this de-robe proceeds into the headlights. The lower, much fatter air intake has also acquired a freshly designed honeycomb grille and is framed at each side by fog lights as standard (including cornering lights) and splitters, the kind of spoilers used in motor sports. Standard equipment for the GTI also includes front and rear ParkPilot, heated windscreen washer nozzles and a headlight cleaning system.
These LED dual headlights, with their very detailed avant-garde design, are unmistakable – even from a distance – due to their construction and prominent reflectors. The light of the LED headlights is even whiter and more similar to daylight than that of xenon headlights, and it is less tightening to the eyes of drivers while driving at dawn or dusk or at night.
2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI
The GTI silhouette and rear section
The silhouette and the rear also boast sporty design features. The door sills are distinctively flared, adding further to the Polo GTI’s sporty appeal, along with the fresh alloy wheels with GTI styling (size: 7.5J x 17) through which the gleaming crimson brake callipers are visible. At the rear, the GTI roof spoiler, prominent roof antenna, tail light clusters in ‘Dark Crimson’, the black grained diffuser and the chrome dual harass tailpipes located on the left of the vehicle all proceed the sporty theme. Last but by no means least comes the GTI lettering, which takes its decent place at the rear, in the radiator grille and on the wings of this Polo.
The fresh Polo GTI is available in a choice of seven colours – ‘Unspoiled White’, ‘Flash Crimson’ and ‘Black’ monochrome finishes, the metallic ‘Reflex Silver’, ‘Deep Black’, and ‘Blue Silk’, plus the mother of pearl effect ‘Oryx White’.
Interior design and features
The interior of the fresh Polo GTI is characterised by the freshly “mixed” GTI insignias, including the distinctive ‘Clark’ tartan pattern of the upholstery of the top-class sports seats (in the front) and the rear seat system, and also features a large number of general improvements which are appearing in the series in their latest updated versions. These include the fresh instrument cluster with its 3D tubular look (with GTI styling) and the redesigned layout of the controls on the redesigned centre console. On the upper control level, just underneath the air vents, is a control panel that has been expanded from seven to nine buttons; placed in the middle and effortless to reach, for example, is the hazard lights switch. The interior specialists have also optimised the controls for the air conditioning system that is standard in the Polo GTI (optionally ‘Climatronic’ automatic climate control). They are arranged below the infotainment system. Chrome accents on the door trim panels, the air vents and around the gear shift console round off the sophisticated ambience. And the Polo GTI also features a downright fresh generation of infotainment systems.
Characteristic GTI insignias
GTI crimson accentuates the sporty design of the interior, too. The leather sports steering wheel, adapted from the Golf GTI, has contrasting crimson stitching, as do the gear lever and handbrake lever; the floor mats also feature borders with crimson beading. Driver and passenger sit on top-class height-adjustable heated sports seats with centre panels upholstered in sensational sports-style ‘Clark’ cloth as mentioned above (the outer sections are in ‘Black’ and also have contrasting crimson stitching); sports seats with a tartan design have been a standard feature of this icon of high spectacle since the launch of the very very first GTI in 1976. The front centre armrest with storage compartment, the instrument cluster with GTI design, black headliner and aluminium-look pedal caps accomplish the dynamic and special interior ambience. Polo GTI seats can also be ordered in an ‘Alcantara / leather look’ version as an option. As far as functionality is worried, the extended range of standard equipment also includes footwell lighting, a sound actuator, Driver Alert System, multifunction display ‘Plus’, and the ‘Composition Touch’ infotainment system.
Dynamics and everyday practicality
The Polo GTI has not acquired its exceptional dynamics at the expense of everyday practicality. In fact, the opposite is true. On the inwards, the car has clarity, an ergonomic design and is very versatile. The 2-door version of the Polo GTI comes with the ‘Effortless Entry’ function, which permits the front seats to be moved forward in one effortless movement then returned to their original position. The Polo GTI is also optionally available with four doors, making access to the rear even lighter. In both versions of this 5-seater, the rear seat bench is split 60-40 and the backrests can be folded down. With five people on board, the Polo GTI offers a stream capacity of two hundred four litres; with the rear seat bench folded down the luggage compartment extends up to eight hundred eighty two litres.
Progressive infotainment world
The Polo GTI’s radio and radio-navigation systems have been re-conceptualised; indicating the 2nd generation of the modular infotainment system (MIB), they reflect state-of-the-art technology. Depending on the version, the systems suggest functions such as Bluetooth audio streaming (with a smartphone, including cover display and touchscreen control), a proximity sensor (other menu details are shown when arm approaches the screen), two-finger map zooming in navigation mode (as on a smartphone) and connection of the smartphone to the exterior antenna via the wireless ‘Convenience’ mobile phone interface. DAB+ digital radio can be added to all four systems – ‘Composition Touch’ (standard with the Polo GTI), ‘Composition Colour’, ‘Composition Media’ and ‘Detect Media’. In addition, special clever phone apps can be accessed on the touchscreen via MirrorLink™.
MirrorLink™ is suggested as an option in conjunction with the ‘Composition Media’ and ‘Detect Media’ infotainment systems in the Polo GTI. This makes it possible to display and control the contents and functions shown on compatible Android brainy phone on the touchscreen of the Polo infotainment system. To avoid distracting the driver, only specially configured apps are accessible while driving. For example, Volkswagen offers apps which can access vehicle data such as engine speed, car speed and the fuel tank level, in addition to geo-coordinates from the navigation unit. Apps may also be used that are not directly related to vehicle operation, such as internet radio and news services, provided that they support MirrorLink™. To improve reception quality and at the same time reduce radiated emissions from the mobile phone, the brainy phone may be wirelessly connected to the exterior antenna of the Polo GTI – via the ‘Convenience’ mobile phone interface. Simply place the phone in a storage compartment located in the centre console. The phone is charged via a USB connector.
The dynamic heart of the Polo GTI is a freshly developed four-cylinder EA888 engine. The Two.0 litre version of this engine family is used to power the Golf GTI and other vehicles. The fresh Polo GTI is tooled with the third generation EA888 with a displacement of 1,798 cm3. The turbocharged direct injection petrol engine develops one hundred forty one kW / one hundred ninety two PS of power. The 1.8 TSI provides this peak at inbetween Four,200 and 6,200 rpm (6-speed manual version); for the 7-speed DSG the range is from Five,400 to 6,200 rpm. These variations are due to technical differences in the design parameters of the gearboxes. The same applies to the torque values: the DSG variant supplies a maximum torque of two hundred fifty Nm inbetween 1,250 and Five,300 rpm whereas the figures for the manual gearbox version are three hundred twenty Nm inbetween 1,450 and Four,200 rpm. However, the differences in torque have no effect on the vehicle’s spectacle figures (top speed and acceleration from 0-100 km/h). Having said that, the manual version does pull away slightly more briskly, while the DSG version’s fuel consumption is even lower.
Direct and manifold injection
Whatever the transmission and associated maximum torque, the 1.8 TSI is a high-tech engine. A multiplicity of fresh technologies have found their way into this third generation of the engine, including the water-cooled harass gas routing to the turbocharger, which has been fully integrated into the cylinder head. This water-cooled integrated harass manifold makes a crucial contribution towards improving fuel consumption at utter explosion. In addition, the TSI has variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, valve lift on the harass side can be switched in two stages. This enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better spectacle, fuel economy and lower emissions. The four-cylinder engine also features a dual high-pressure injection system (200 bar) with direct and manifold injection. The loosely selectable injection type results in lower particle emissions and also reduces fuel consumption in broad spectacle ranges.
Intelligent thermal management
A further highlight is the very first use of a freshly developed rotary-slide control in this engine for implementing an intelligent thermal management system: for example, it is now possible to totally block the intake of coolant into the engine during the warm-up phase of the 1.8 TSI, or reduce it to a minimum, in order to get the engine up to operating temperature more quickly. Once the engine is running at normal temperature there is fully variable control of the coolant temperature, which can be quickly adjusted to the ideal level for the engine depending on the engine fountain and outward conditions.
Fresh turbocharger, less weight
It has also been possible to reduce the weight of the engine, which has a fresh single-scroll turbocharger. A large portion of the savings came from the fresh thin-wall crankcase (Trio mm thick), a weight-optimised crankshaft, the integrated harass manifold, a plastic oil pan and the use of aluminium screws. Total reduction: Five.Four kg.
All these measures paint an epic picture together: the basic revision of all function groups including the reduction of internal friction makes the 1.8 TSI in the Polo GTI one of the most efficient and agile engines in its class. As with all the latest generation Polo, the GTI obeys with the EU6 emission standard. Sustainability is the watchword where consumption and emissions figures are worried: Five.6 l/100 km (equivalent to one hundred twenty nine g/km CO2) in conjunction with the 7-speed DSG, and 6.0 litres (139 g/km CO2) with the 6-speed manual variant. But the car’s spectacle figures still speak for themselves: with either transmission variant the Polo GTI accelerates from zero to one hundred km/h in just 6.7 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of two hundred thirty six km/h.
The fresh Polo GTI is supplied as standard with a well graduated 6-speed gearbox that offers good shifting accuracy. A 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is also optionally available for maximum levels of efficiency, dynamics and convenience. The automatic transmission was specially configured to the one hundred ninety two PS GTI engine across a multiplicity of individual parameters, characteristic forms and engine mappings.
Chassis and assistance systems
The Polo GTI’s downright retuned sports suspension ensures exceptionally agile and secure treating. The technical basis for this comes from a set-up with a McPherson-type front axle and a torsion slat axle for the rear wheels. The chassis of the GTI is ten mm lower at the front and fifteen mm lower at the rear compared with the less powerful Polo models. The chassis engineers succeeded in reducing roll to a minimum in the exceptionally agile and responsive Polo GTI. One of the factors responsible for this is the stronger anti-roll bar on the front axle. Substituting the 7-inch with 7.5-inch broad alloy wheels has also contributed to the improved treating; the freshly designed 17-inch wheels come with 215/40 tyres. The vehicle’s treating is further refined through the addition of a fresh steering system. The Polo also has ESC (electronic stabilisation control) on board as standard, of course. Tyre pressure is monitored by the Tyre Monitoring Indicator (TMI), also included as standard. Safety on board the fresh Polo GTI is further enhanced by the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Driver Alert System, both of which are also standard equipment.
For the very first time the Polo GTI is available with electromechanical power steering, with characteristics configured to the dynamics of the top model in the series. The compact system has been integrated directly into the steering column. The fresh Polo steering system is distinguished by its very precise and agile response and steering properties, and it decouples roadway bumps very well. The steering moment applied by the driver is amplified by an electrical motor, which produces its torque to the steering column via a worm gear.
‘Sport Select’ suspension including ‘Sport Spectacle Kit’
For the very first time, Volkswagen is suggesting electronically adjustable dampers in the Polo GTI. These form the core technology basis of the fresh, optional ‘Sport Select’ suspension, which for the GTI is only available in conjunction with the ‘Sport Spectacle Kit’. The basic tuning of this suspension is already sporty, but more convenient than a conventional sports suspension. When the driver presses the ‘Sport’ button (in the upper area of the centre console) this activates an electro-mechanical switching valve in the dampers which alters their tuning from this sporty yet comfort-oriented basic setting to the stiffer characteristic of a true sports suspension. In addition, the ‘Sport Spectacle Kit’ lends the fresh electromechanical power steering an even sportier characteristic. The same is true for the accelerator pedal response. At the same time, the engine noise heard inwards the car also switches due to the sound actuator. And eventually, if the fresh Polo GTI is tooled with the 7-speed DSG, the transmission switches automatically from D to S mode.
The Polo GTI is tooled with a fade resistant 16-inch brake system. The front wheels have ventilated brake discs with a diameter of three hundred ten mm, and at the back two hundred thirty mm discs are used. The crimson brake callipers are a characteristic feature of the GTI.
As mentioned above, the Polo GTI is tooled with ESC, the electronic stability control system, as standard. This can be adapted for use on the racetrack. It works like this: pressing the ESC button shortly switches off traction control (ASR), whereas pressing the button for more than three seconds activates the ESC Sport mode. This raises the ESC control threshold; delaying the intervention of ESC has particular advantages where treating on the racetrack is worried. With XDS+ remaining in active mode it is possible to achieve outstanding racetrack spectacles, even with a very sporty driving style. In the suitable menu in the infotainment system, the driver has the option of directly selecting the ESC modes ‘ASR off’ and ‘ESC Sport’. Other components of ESC are the anti-lock braking system (Six pack), Hill Hold Assist, engine haul torque control (MSR), electronic differential lock (EDL) and, as outlined, the vehicle dynamics function XDS+ that is fresh in the Polo GTI. Combined with a chassis that is as neutral as it is sporty, and the fresh, precise electromechanical power steering, these electronic systems provide a high degree of active safety without compromising driving dynamics.
Technically, the XDS+ electronic differential lock is a functionality that is integrated in the electronic stabilisation programme (ESC) for improved vehicle dynamics. This system, a refinement of the XDS very first installed in the larger Golf, increases agility, using brake interventions on the inwards wheels on both axles when cornering to reduce the required steering angle. In addition, XDS+ is effective over all conceivable road friction values, resulting in more precise treating, even on snow. The familiar properties of XDS – such as significantly diminished understeer and improved traction – have also been further refined.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
A technological highlight of the fresh Polo GTI is the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. After a collision, it automatically brakes the vehicle to avoid secondary collisions or reduce their severity. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is triggered when a primary collision has been detected. It assures managed treating of the car by the driver, even in case of automatic braking. The driver can “override” the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System at any time, for example by noticeably accelerating. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is also deactivated if the driver initiates hard braking with greater deceleration than the system deceleration.
The Driver Alert System also comes as standard in the Polo GTI. It detects falls in the driver’s concentration levels and outputs an acoustic warning for a duration of five seconds, and a message emerges in the instrument cluster recommending a break from driving. If the driver does not take a break within the next fifteen minutes, the warning is repeated once.