Volkswagen has released a teaser image of its facelifted Polo GTI performance hatch ahead of its reveal that’s scheduled for late June.
Following hot on the heels of the updated (regular) Polo range that was unveiled last month, the new Polo GTI will boast an even more distinctive design than its predecessor.
The new Polo GTI takes inspiration from the eighth-generation Golf GTI with a unique honeycomb lower bumper design that incorporates matching foglights. It also borrows from the GTI Clubsport style book with a blade-like accent that intersects the lower air dam. Further up we see a red trim strip that runs across the redesigned grille and into the headlights.
Volkswagen isn’t showing us the tail end just yet, but expect it to mirror the regular Polo with lengthened taillights that now extend into the tailgate.
The new Polo GTI is likely to soldier on with the current EA888 2,0-litre turbopetrol engine, which pushes 147 kW and 320 N.m through the front wheels. It is possible, however, that the current six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox will be replaced by a seven-speed unit.
Judging by what we saw with the rest of the Polo range, the cabin updates are likely to be subtle, albeit with new tech features such as the IQ.Drive Travel Assist system that combines Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Assist to allow for semi-automated driving. The Polo range in Europe now comes with an 8,0-inch digital instrument cluster as standard.
As with the current Volkswagen Polo, the facelifted model will be built in South Africa and exported. Buyers can expect the updated range to arrive during the first quarter of 2022, with the GTI version in hot pursuit. But that’s assuming there are no Covid-related delays, which have pushed the Golf 8 GTI back until the third quarter of this year.
VWSA says pricing and local specifications for the new Polo line-up will be released later in 2021.
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