The current Volkswagen Polo GTI is a slightly underwhelming hot hatch, but rumours are now circulating that there will be a 2010 Polo GTI that will correct some of the shortcomings of the current model.
With a new Polo due this year there should be a GTI model following in 2010. If rumours are correct the old 148bhp 1.8-litre turbo will be dropped in favour of a new 1.4 TSI, with turbo and supercharger pushing the output to around 180bhp. This may then be connected to the new seven-speed DSG gearbox, so acceleration should be much improved over the old model and fuel consumption and emissions should be pushed down, making it cheaper to run.
As before the styling queues will be borrowed from the new 2009 Golf GTI, so expect more honeycomb grills and tartan seats. Externally we should see an understated transformation of the standard Polo with subtly flared wheelarches, larger air intakes to feed the TSI engine, smart 16-inch alloys and maybe some sideskirts and a rear spoiler.
The 2009 Polo will actually be smaller than the current model, but clever design will actually release more internal space. Hopefully this will help the Polo reduce its kerb weight in the same way as the 2008 Ford Fiesta. If it does manage to do this then the performance and handling of the whole range will benefit as a result, and maybe the new Polo GTI will be a serious hot hatch rather than a GTI wannabe.
Source: Auto Express
