Volkswagen GTI

Summary

The GTI is a global icon. Volkswagen packs a crazy amount of horsepower in tiny hatchbacks that you would use for running errands otherwise and calls them GTI. These pocket rockets are good enough to give many a sportscars a run for their money while saving you a few quid when you bought it. The Volkswagen GTI is now in India after the showcase at the Auto Expo 2016.

The Polo GTI will be imported as a CBU. The performance hatch competes with the likes of the Abarth 595 and the Mercedes A-Class globally and in India it also has the Mini Cooper S to fight with.

Exterior

The Polo GTi will be imported as a CBU and will be a three-door hatchback unlike the five-door Polo we have here. The front grille gets a red highlight on the lowest slat and a GTI badge to do the talking. The front fascia will be almost the same except for the aggressive mesh grille design on the air dam. The only thing that will give away the GTI from the standard Polo from behind is the twin pod exhaust tip.

Interior

Inside, the GTI will probably get an all-black treatment unlike the beige and black in the standard Polo. Based on the top-spec Highline variant of the Polo, it gets manual height adjustable driver seat, electrically adjustable and folding mirrors and cruise control. The 2-DIN music system has USB, AUX and Bluetooth compatibility. The interiors are in black with a flat bottom sporty steering wheel with steering mounted audio controls. It gets a driver armrest as well as a pull-out armrest for the rear passengers. The rear seats are foldable to increase the stowage capability of the hatchback.

For safety, the GTI gets dual front airbags along with side and curtain airbags. It gets electronic stability control with ABS, anti-skid control and traction control.

Engine and Transmission

The thing beneath the hood is the most interesting part in the GTI. The Polo GTI gets the 1.8-litre petrol engine from its Czech cousin, the Octavia. The four cylinder petrol turbocharged TSI engine develops a whopping 190bhp of power. The word is out that Volkswagen may also offer a manual option along with the expected automatic DSG, both of which are capable of pushing the Polo past 100kmph form rest in less than seven seconds.

Mileage

The 1798 cc Petrol - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 14 kmpl in city and 16 kmpl on highways