VW Polo GTI breaks cover

It's been a long time coming, but the Volkswagen Polo finally gets what it rightly deserves after so long: LED driving lights.

In all seriousness, the brand new VW Polo GTI has emerged ahead of its Geneva motor show debut showing off a sporty new style sure to get boy racers slavering.

With the all-new Polo range set to launch in Australia in May, Karl Gehling, General Manager for Press and PR at Volkswagen Australia, told the Carsales Network the high performance Polo GTI has been penciled in for Australia, and will give the MINI Cooper S some added competition when it arrives later in 2010.

Tech specs for the new hot hatch include a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine developing 132kW/250Nm. The engine is twincharged -- engineered with both a turbocharger and a supercharger -- and will drive through a seven-speed twin-clutch DSG automatic transmission.

Tipping the scales at an impressive 1184kg, the VW Polo GTI is claimed to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, two tenths quicker than the MINI Cooper S fitted with a manual gearbox. Yet it is more efficient too, with a claimed economy figure of just 6L/100km, compared to the MINI Cooper S's 6.9L/100km.

That particular MINI starts at $39,990 (not including government and delivery charges) and though Volkswagen Australia says it's too early to talk about a price point for the Polo GTI, expect it to be in the vicinity of its rival, despite the superseded generation fetching around $27k.

An enhanced chassis will comprise upgraded suspension, Golf GTI-inspired 17-inch alloy wheels shod with performance rubber, an electronic differential and more powerful brakes (replete with red calipers).

The new generation Polo GTI will also get a sports bodykit, featuring new front and rear aprons, side skirts, a roof spoiler, honeycomb grille treatment, chrome exhaust pipes and a lower ride height. It will be offered in both three- and five-door body styles and will feature a sportier interior too, with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel showing exposed stitching, an updated instrument panel and tartan cloth sport seats like it's bigger brother, the Golf GTI.

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