Volkswagen has taken the wraps off two new concepts at the São Paulo International Motor Show, applying the GTS badge – and generous dollops of GTI styling cues – to both its Polo hatchback and its Virtus sedan.
The concepts preview production models that are set to hit the Brazilian market in 2019. No word yet on whether there are plans to offer these derivatives in other markets.
Both the Polo GTS and Virtus (what we’d call a Polo sedan) GTS concepts feature exterior styling clearly inspired by the Polo GTI … right down to those familiar “Brescia” 18-inch alloys wrapped in 215/40 R18 rubber and the red accent line running through the grille and headlamps. Black finishes have been applied to certain exterior parts, such as the side-mirror caps (interestingly, something not depicted in the original sketches below).
Inside, you’ll find the a digital instrument cluster as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel with a “GTS” logo (one of many scattered round the vehicle), plus a few pieces of red trim. The front seats, meanwhile, feature integrated headrests.
Under the bonnet, though, the new GTS concepts don’t take after the 147 kW/320 N.m Polo GTI. Nope, these derivatives instead employ the Wolfsburg-based brand’s 1,4-litre, four-cylinder TSI unit linked to the front wheels by a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. In this guise, the turbocharged petrol engine is worth 110 kW and 250 N.m, although performance figures have yet to be revealed.
