Price cut for new Polo GTI

Volkswagen's facelifted Polo GTI will be priced from under $28,000 when it goes on sale in Australia next April, making it more than $1500 cheaper than the outgoing automatic-only model (from $29,540).

The move is made possible by the availability of a six-speed manual transmission for the first time, in addition to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox (DSG) version, which is expected to command VW's usual $2500 price premium at around $30,000.

The new sub-$28,000 starting price – confirmed to motoring.com.au today as Volkswagen stages the Polo GTI international launch in Europe – will make the German giant's fourth-generation compact GTI more competitive with Ford's manual-only Fiesta ST ($25,990) and even cheaper than its two French rivals, the auto-only Renault Clio RS200 (from $29,290) and manual-only Peugeot 208 GTi ($29,990).

The latest Polo GTI will also be the first Volkswagen available with LED headlights (main and low-beam) in Australia, as well as the first Polo with satellite-navigation, plus front/rear parking sensors and, as with the rest of the facelifted mainstream Polo range released in August, a reversing camera.

However, the 2015 Polo GTI won't be offered here with the optional new Sport Select two-stage variable damping system, as it is in Europe. Nor, as we've reported, will the upgraded Polo GTI become available locally in three-door form.

And while the headline act of the 2015 upgrade is the switch to a more powerful new 141kW/320Nm 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder (up 9Nm and 70Nm), the DSG version will be restricted to the same 250Nm as the outgoing 1.4-litre 'twin-charger' model.

Nevertheless, all Polo GTIs will still offer more power and torque than the Fiesta ST's 134kW/240Nm 1.6 turbo-petrol engine, although a similar engine configuration sees both the 208 GTi and Clio RS develop more power (147kW) but less torque than the manual Polo GTI – at 275 and 240Nm respectively.

If anyone cares, the hottest Polo – at least until the Polo R 4MOTION arrives later next year – is more efficient than all of its direct competitors, at just 5.6L/100km (DSG) and 6.0L/100km (manual).

Other key data now confirmed by Volkswagen includes a claimed 0-100km sprint time of 6.7 seconds for both versions and a 236km/h top speed.

Wrapped in an updated sports bodykit comprising red-accented bumpers (with LED daytime running lights), headlights and grille, VW's smallest GTI will come standard with more aggressive side skirts, unique 17x7.5-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, a specific rear hatch spoiler, 'Dark Red' tail-lights, black rear diffuser, chromed dual exhaust outlets, 'Clark' tartan upholstery, black headlining, aluminium-look pedal caps, a leather-clad steering wheel from the Golf GTI, and a GTI-spec instrument cluster and sports front seats.

This is in addition to new standard features across the facelifted Polo range, including the Golf's classy colour touch-screen and infotainment system with Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming.