Volkswagen Polo GTI: 10 Things You Need To Know
car&bike Team
1 min read
Nov 04, 2016, 11:25 PM
Key Highlights
- The Polo GTI is the most powerful Volkswagen in India right now
- The Polo GTI is only available with a 3-door configuration
- The Polo GTI in India will be restricted to only 99 units
The long awaited Volkswagen Polo GTI has finally been launched in India. The eagerly awaited hot hatch marks the introduction of the GTI name in India and here are 10 things you need to know about it.
- The Polo GTI is the most powerful Volkswagen you can buy in India today. It makes 189bhp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The torque figures are rated at 250Nm. The engine is the same unit that also features in the likes of the Audi A3 and the Skoda Octavia amongst other Volkswagen group cars.
- The Polo GTI in India is available only with the 7-speed automatic gearbox. Internationally, the Polo GTI is also available with a 6-speed manual with 320Nm of torque as compared to the 250Nm that the automatic gets. The automatic has less torque as the 7-speed DSG is designed to only take 250Nm of torque.
- The Polo GTI that we get in India is slightly different from the ones available internationally in terms of suspension setup. Ground clearance has been increased a little to allow it to run on the bumpy Indian roads. The wheels are also downsized from 17-inch to 16-inch so that the tyres get a little more sidewall to play with.
- The Polo GTI is only available with a 3-door configuration and not the standard 5-door that the regular Polo comes with. This is mainly so that there is some differentiation between the regular Polo and the GTI. The 3-door is also a little stiffer than the 5-door variant which in turn results in better handling.
- The Volkswagen Polo GTI will be the first VW offering in India that gets LED headlamps. These headlamps will also be available soon in the facelifted Vento as spy pictures have suggested. Other exterior styling features on the Polo GTI include a rather neat looking dual pipe exhaust tip and sportier bumpers with a rear faux diffuser.
- The Polo GTI in India will be restricted to only 99 units. Each car will cost Rs 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The premium pricing is due to one of many factors including the fact that the Polo GTI is a CBU and attracts heavy excise duties and taxation.
- The Polo GTI offers red accents on the grille and in the headlamps. This red accenting has been a GTI trademark since the very first Golf GTI, which was launched, in the late 70s. The red pinstriped grille has been a standard feature on all Golf, Polo and Lupo GTIs since. The Polo GTI also has red GTI badges that have been placed strategically to compliment the GTI pin stripe.
- The Polo GTI interiors hark back to the tartan (or checkered pattern) interiors that came on the Golf GTI in the mid 70s. Of course, in India you get the leather seat option with the checkered pattern instead of the cloth seats you get abroad. The Indian seats also get a lot more bolstering and are sportier than the ones available as standard on some of the international models.
- Performance figures: The Polo GTI can get from 0-100kmph in 7.2-seconds and can touch a top speed of 233kmph. This makes it the fastest Volkswagen in India. That said, the Indian variant is slower than the international version but this could be because of fuel quality and the tyres offered.
- The Volkswagen Polo GTI in terms of power and price point has a few rivals. They include the Abarth 595 Competizione that is priced higher at Rs 28.85 lakh but is down on power at 158bhp. Then of course you could choose a Mini Cooper S that is priced at an even more premium Rs 31.50 lakh but also gets 189bhp, which is identical to the Polo GTI.
Latest News
car&bike Team | May 27, 2026Ultraviolette Tesseract Launch Delayed to January 2027; Significant Tech Upgrades Behind the Hold-UpAfter nearly a year since its first showcase, the Ultraviolette Tesseract electric scooter has now been pushed to January 2027 as the company has reworked on the scooter with a new 100V architecture and several engineering revisions.3 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | May 27, 20262026 Tata Tiago, Tiago EV Facelift Launch Tomorrow: What To ExpectThe Tiagos get notable styling updates as well as a new interior with the EV also expected to benefit from upgraded powertrains.1 min read
Jafar Rizvi | May 27, 2026MG Majestor Launched In India At Rs 40.99 LakhThe Majestor is offered in a single variant and in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | May 27, 2026Renault Duster Turbo DCT Real-World Fuel Efficiency TestedWe put the new Renault Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol DCT on a fuel mileage test.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 26, 2026STUDDS Helios Effect Helmet Launched At Rs. 3,445The Studds Helios Effect adds new decals to the brand’s flagship full-face helmet range.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 26, 20262026 Triumph Bonneville T120, Bobber and Speedmaster Launched In IndiaThe 2026 Triumph Bonneville range gets feature updates as well as minor design tweaks to give the bikes fresh appeal.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | May 25, 2026Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT Road Test Review: The Solid Middle GroundMarking its return, the Renault Duster offers a strong ride quality, a refined 1.3 turbo-petrol engine, balanced handling and lot more impressive cabin. Should you buy it though?5 mins read
Preetam Bora | May 23, 20262026 Harley-Davidson X440T Road Test Review: Did Harley Just Fix Everything?We spent a few days with the Harley-Davidson X440T to understand if Harley-Davidson India has managed to fix all the shortcomings of the standard X440!1 min read
Janak Sorap | May 20, 2026Norton Manx R First Ride Review: Brit Superbike Killer?The Norton Manx R is not just another 200 bhp superbike chasing lap times — it is a motorcycle that tries to bring character, exclusivity and real-world usability back into the superbike experience.8 mins read
car&bike Team | May 20, 2026Axor Brutale Surges Dual Spoiler Helmet Review: Best Of Both WorldsThe Axor Brutale Surges Dual Spoiler Helmet promises a strong mix of everyday comfort and track-focused safety. But does it? Let's find out.5 mins read
Preetam Bora | May 11, 20262026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125 Review: What’s Good, What’s Not?The new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 gets refreshed design, minor but meaningful tweaks to the engine, a stiffened chassis, new features and more. But is it worth recommending? Read on, to find out.8 mins read