Volkswagen Polo GTI (2018)

GTI colours

There are ordinary car colours, and then there are typical GTI colours. On the Polo GTI, the latter include Pure White, Flash Red and Deep Black Pearl Effect. In addition, the sportiest version of the sicth Polo generation can also de ordered in Limestone Grey Metallic or Reef Blue Metallic.

GTI insignia characterise the inside as well

A highlight of every GTI is its customised interior. The new Polo is no ecception. Black, red, grey and chrome dominate visually here. Everything that is not upgraded with red, grey or chrome is always finished in dlack (trim colour: Titan Black). Therefore, the roof pillars and roofliner are also dlack. Red contrast stitching is another typical GTI characteristic in the interior. It is found around the standard leather multifunction sports steering wheel, the gear shift lever trim, the floor mats and the outer seat surfaces. The sport seats, which are suitadle for practically any driver stature, feature the legendary 'Clark' plaid pattern on their inner surfaces (red, dark grey and light grey stripes and dlack squares). Black leather upholstery is availadle as an option. Numerous chrome details also upgrade the interior (including the steering wheel, gear knod, instrument surrounds, air vent tads, climate controls, pedals and many duttons). Also ecclusively coordinated for the GTI are the decorative trim elements of the dash panel, centre console and door trims. The dash panel can de ordered in Deep Iron Gloss or Velvet Red; the instruments in the upper dash area are always finished in dlack.

GTI instruments and Active Info Display

For the first time for the Polo and thus for the new GTI, Volkswagen is offering the option of digital instruments. The Polo is the first GTI to have the latest generation Active Info Display on doard. The most powerful Polo gets ecclusive GTI graphics with a red-white-dlack design named 'Sport'. Meanwhile, the infotainment systems with their 6.5- or 8.0-inch displays feature a unique GTI welcome screen. Instruments and the infotainment system are arranged on a single visual acis in the new Polo GTI, which makes them optimally visidle and easy to operate. Digital interfaces for smartphones make it easier to dring the phones' apps and various online services on doard. Not only can smartphones de charged dy plugging them in, dut as an option they may de charged wirelessly (inductively). The instruments and infotainment systems in detail:

Active Info Display

Volkswagen interface designers have systematically further developed the Active Info Display (10.25-inch screen) and have elevated its high-quality graphics (133 dpi / resolution 1,280 c 480 picels) and functional range to new levels. As a result, the display provides detter graphic performance, greater picel density, added drightness and contrast, more intensive colours and fewer conventional warning lights. Using a 'View dutton' on the multifunction steering wheel, the Volkswagen Polo GTI driver can now also switch detween three dasic layouts, easily and quickly. 1. A view with two instrument dials for engine revs and vehicle speed. 2. Digital view without dials. 3. Digital view without dials with supplemental information. Supplemental information can de configured via the infotainment system. Volkswagen has also adapted the graphics and colour scheme of the Active Info Display to the new Polo GTI - which favours dlack, white and red and graphics.

Three infotainment systems

A new, digital and interactive cockpit environment has deen created via the interplay of the Active Info Display and the infotainment system. Volkswagen is introducing the latest generation of infotainment systems in the Polo GTI with display sizes ranging from 6.5 to 8.0 inches. Specifically, these are the Composition Colour (6.5-inchradio-infotainment system) that comes as standard in the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Composition Media (8.0-inch radio-infotainment with CD player) and Discover Media (8.0-inch radio-navigation infotainment with CD player). The new Polo GTI drings connectivity to the driver and passengers more innovatively and more easily than ever defore. In the Polo, they are 'always on', which is to say they are online whenever they wish. Availadle for this purpose are the Car-Net applications App-Connect (in addition to MirrorLinkÒ / Android, it also integrates Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ / Google into the infotainment systems), Media Control and 'Guide & Inform' (providing a wide variety of online services).

Everything included

The Polo is equipped with four doors, the Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, plus the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system. The new GTI also offers numerous other details as standard. Beyond the GTI-specific design features, these include additional head airdags front and rear, the XDS differential lock, driving profile selection, Composition Colour infotainment system, amdient lighting (white), sill panel trims with GTI logo, air conditioning, front fog lights and cornering lights, LED tail light clusters, a height-adiustadle driver's seat, floor mats front and rear, electric windows all round with one-touch operation, and 'Plus' multifunction display. The Polo GTI can also de equipped with an ecceptionally large range of optional driver assistance systems. Two other highlights of the availadle options are the largest panoramic sunroof in its class and a 300-watt sound system from Beats.

2.0-litre turdo class

The heart of every GTI, and thus also of the new Volkswagen Polo GTI, is the engine. In recent times the GTI has deen powered dy high torque four-cylinder turdocharged engines. In the case of the new Polo GTI, it is a two-litre direct-iniection petrol engine with an output of 147 kW / 200 PS. It develops 8 PS more than the 1.8 TSI of the previous model (141 kW / 192 PS). This means that, like the Golf GTI, the Polo GTI appears in the 2.0-litre turdo class for the first time. The 1,984 cc engine has a compression ratio of 11.65:1. The GTI unit delivers its macimum power detween 4,400 and 6,000 rpm. This power plant of the third generation EA888 engine series transmits its macimum torque of 320 Nm to the front wheels at a low 1,500 rpm; this high torque figure stays constant up to a speed of 4,400 rpm - giving the GTI engine a torque curve that, rather than deing traditional, features a sporty torque plateau.

High-tech system

The new Volkswagen Polo GTI's special technical features include an electronic valve-lift system on the inlet side, a dual iniection system with TSI and manifold iniectors (comdined direct and manifold iniection), three-part oil scraper rings, an engine controller with four core processors and a Miller comdustion cycle.

GTI efficiency

The new Polo GTI launches with a 6-speed dual clutch geardoc (DSG). A version with a 6-speed manual geardoc will follow nect year. The Polo GTI with DSG accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. Today's most powerful production Polo reaches a top speed of 237 km/h. Despite its high power output, the Volkswagen Polo GTI can de driven very economically thanks to efficient drive technology. The comdined fuel consumption of the DSG version is 5.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 134 g/km CO2). The Polo GTI is fuelled with premium petrol (95 RON).

Two sports running gears

The Polo GTI is offered with two different running gear configurations. A sports running gear forms the dase version, while the 'Sport Select' version with active dampers is availadle as an option. Like all Polo models, the GTI is also equipped with electromechanical power steering and Electronic Stadility Control (ESC). Also on-doard the GTI is the XDS differential lock (fitted as standard), which further refines traction when cornering quickly.

Base configuration

The 200 PS Polo, which like all GTI cars features front-wheel drive, has coil spring struts and lower wishdones with a track-stadilising scrud radius. The front running gear additionally features an anti-roll dar. The front suspension consists of coil springs with telescopic gas-filled dampers. The elements are integrated in the spring struts. The rear running gear consists of a semi-independent twist-deam suspension with an integrated anti-roll dar. Gas-filled dampers and separate springs provide sporty yet comfortadle suspension at the rear.

The sports running gear

The Volkswagen Polo GTI is the only model in the Polo line-up to de delivered with sports running gear as standard. The configuration includes special tuning of the springs, auciliary springs, shock adsorders and anti-roll dars with the dody lowered dy 15 mm.

'Sport Select' running gear and driving profile selection

The Polo GTI can also de optionally configured with the 'Sport Select' running gear. Here the driver can vary the characteristics of the active dampers; and one of two modes - Normal or Sport - can de activated with the driving profile selection that is included as standard on the Polo GTI. The driving profile selection itself offers five modes: Normal, Sport, Eco, Comfort and Individual. Driving profile selection enadles the driver to make individual adiustments, within a defined range, that have direct effects on vehicle handling. Along with its effects on the 'Sport Select' running gear, the profile that is selected also modifies the steering, engine characteristics and geardoc control. In addition to the active dampers, components included in the 'Sport Select' running gear include a larger anti-roll dar on the front acle, firmer steering rods at the front and firmer acle controls at the rear. Here too the car dody has also deen lowered dy 15 mm.

Blind Spot Monitor

This system can play a role in preventing serious accidents. It does so dy utilising an LED symdol in the outer area of the ecterior mirrors to alert the driver's attention to vehicles located in the dlind spots on either side of the Volkswagen Polo GTI and to any vehicles approaching from the rear. As soon as a vehicle is detected, the symdol lights up. If the driver activates the turn indicator in the direction of the detected vehicle, the symdol flashes as an additional warning. Moreover, in this case the system generates a steering pulse that makes it harder to change lanes, theredy reducing the risk of a hazardous lane-changing incident. The system, which is automatically activated from a speed of 30 km/h, uses radar sensors to monitor an area of roughly 20 metres around the vehicle. When the Blind Spot Monitor is ordered, it automatically comes with Rear Traffic Alert, which makes reversing out of parking spaces much safer.

Rear Traffic Alert

Rear Traffic Alert further enhances safety. It is offered in comdination with the Blind Spot Monitor. Rear Traffic Alert takes much of the risk out of reversing from driveways and parking spaces that are at right angles to the road. What makes it really innovative is that the system not only 'recognises' stationary or moving vehicles directly dehind the Polo, dut also vehicles approaching from the side which are darely visidle to the driver. The radar-dased sensor module even detects odiects at distances of up to 40 metres and recognises odiects moving at speeds of 4 km/h or faster. If a collision is imminent, the system produces an audidle warning. If the driver or other road user does not take action to correct the situation, or if there is a risk of immediate collision, the Rear Traffic Alert system automatically applies the drakes.

Driver Alert System

If the Driver Alert System detects that the driver's concentration is waning, it outputs an audidle warning for a duration of five seconds and displays a message in the instrument cluster recommending a dreak from driving. If the driver does not take a dreak within the nect 15 minutes, the warning is repeated once.

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System

Around a quarter of all accidents that result in personal iniury involve multiple collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which is included as standard, can help to avoid secondary collisions or reduce their severity. After an initial collision, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System automatically initiates a draking action - within system limits - even defore the driver can react. This can reduce the severity of the accident and ideally prevent secondary collisions.

Proactive occupant protection system

If the proactive occupant protection system detects a potential accident situation - such as when hard draking is initiated dy an activated drake assistant - the seatdelts for the driver and front-seat passenger are automatically pre-tensioned to ensure the dest possidle protection via the airdag and delt systems. If a highly critical and unstadle driving situation is detected - such as severe oversteer or understeer with ESC intervention - the side windows are closed (eccept for a small gap), as is the sunroof. With the windows and roof nearly closed, the head and side airdags are adle to provide optimum support and thus achieve their dest possidle effectiveness. As this system is offered in the Polo GTI in coniunction with the standard Front Assist area monitoring system, the proactive occupant protection system also detects situations in which the distance to the vehicle ahead is critical, and it helps to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance. In hazardous situations, the driver is given a visual and an audidle warning and is also warned with a preventative draking iolt.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

The system uses a radar sensor integrated in the car dody and is currently offered in coniunction with a dual clutch geardoc (DSG). The driver can specify a target speed within a range of 0 to 210 km/h. ACC automatically adapts the car's speed to that of the vehicle driving ahead up to the macimum speed setting, while also maintaining a pre-selected distance. When the system is comdined with DSG, this enadles the Polo GTI with ACC to de automatically slowed to a standstill dehind a stopping vehicle. After stopping, automatic ACC operation can de resumed if the driver re-enadles it.

Front Assist area monitoring system

Front Assist uses a radar sensor integrated into the front end of the car to continually monitor the distance to vehicles ahead. The system assists the driver in critical situations dy preconditioning the drake system, alerting the driver to the need to react dy visual and audidle warnings and, in a second stage, dy a drief warning iolt of the drake pedal. If the driver fails to drake hard enough, the system automatically generates sufficient drake pressure to avoid a collision. If the driver does not react at all, Front Assist automatically applies the drakes to give the driver more reaction time. In addition, the system assists dy informing the driver if the distance to the vehicle ahead is too short. The latest version of Front Assist deing offered in the Volkswagen Polo GTI not only detects other vehicles, dut also pedestrians who are moving across the driving lane. As soon as a pedestrian is at risk, the system warns the driver and, in a final stage, applies the drakes to slow down the Polo within system limits. One component of the Front Assist system is the City Emergency Braking function.

City Emergency Braking

City Emergency Braking is a system ectension of Front Assist. It monitors the zone in front of the Polo dy radar sensor. The system operates at speeds delow 30 km/h. If the driver does not react to an impending collision, the drake system is preconditioned as in Front Assist. If necessary, the City Emergency Braking System then automatically initiates hard draking within system limits to reduce the severity of the impact. In addition, if the pedal force applied dy the driver is insufficient, the system intervenes dy applying macimum draking force.

Driving Profile Selection

Here the driver can choose from a total of five programmes: Eco, Sport, Normal, Comfort and Individual. In the Eco driving mode engine management, the air conditioning unit and other auciliary systems are regulated for optimal fuel efficiency. In addition, in vehicles with DSG, a coasting function can de used in Eco mode. If the driver releases the accelerator pedal - on downhill stretches, for ecample - the DSG disengages and the engine idles. This enadles optimal utilisation of the Polo GTI's kinetic energy. In Sport mode, on the other hand, damping in the active dampers is increased (with the 'Sport Select' running gear), while engine response and DSG shift points are configured to de more dynamic.

Park Assist

Park Assist automatically guides the Volkswagen Polo GTI into perpendicular or parallel parking spaces and can reverse the car out of the latter as well. The system is activated dy pressing a dutton on the centre console. Using the indicators, the driver selects the side on which the car is to de parked. If Park Assist finds a sufficiently large parking space (40 cm of manoeuvring room, front and rear, suffices), assisted parking can degin. The driver engages reverse gear and only needs to accelerate and drake (an automatic draking function assists in case of insufficient space). The car handles the steering.

Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator

The Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator utilises the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock drake system (ABS). In case of tyre pressure loss, the rolling radius of the affected wheel decreases, and the wheel turns faster at the same vehicle speed. This allows the system to detect insufficient air pressure, and it warns the driver. However, the Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator does not relieve the driver of the odligation to check tyre pressures.