VW has revealed the South African pricing and specifications for the upcoming Polo range – with the range-topping GTI getting a starting price of R489,400.
Unfortunately, the company confirmed that the GTI in the local market will not be fitted with the more powerful (152kW) engine and seven-speed automatic gearbox of its German counterpart.
While both versions of the GTI are equipped with a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine, those in South Africa put out a slightly lower 147kW and 320Nm – and drive the front wheels via a six-speed transmission.
This causes the local models to reach 100km/h in 6.7 seconds – which is 0.2 seconds slower than the German variants.
Top speed for the updated Polo GTI in South Africa is rated 3km/h lower, too, at 237km/h.
Luckily, however, each Polo GTI features sports suspension and an electronic differential as standard.
Inside, the new Polo GTI boasts a myriad of equipment as standard – including LED Matrix headlights, an 8-inch infotainment display, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, and dual-zone climate control.
The market
The market for “affordable” hot hatches has shrunk dramatically in the past decade, as more manufacturers trimmed down their available offerings.
This led to the Polo GTI not really competing against “hot” hatches – but rather against sporty-looking hatches that aren’t always as powerful.
Below, we detail the cars the new VW Polo GTI will go up against when it launches in January 2022.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Suzuki Swift 1.4T Sport Auto
- Price – R382,900
- Power – 103kW/230Nm
- 0-100km/h – 8.0 seconds
- Top speed – 205km/h
Peugeot 208 1.2T GT
- Price – R432,900
- Power – 96kW/230Nm
- 0-100km/h – 8.8 seconds
- Top speed – 198km/h
Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4T
- Price – R479,900
- Power – 132kW/250Nm
- 0-100km/h – 6.7 seconds
- Top speed – 225km/h
Mini Cooper Hatch 3-door
- Price – R489,654
- Power – 100kW/220Nm
- 0-100km/h – 8.1 seconds
- Top speed – 210km/h
Mazda 3 Astina
- Price – R509,700
- Power – 121kW/213Nm
- 0-100km/h – 9.0 seconds (estimate)
- Top speed – 200km/h (estimate)
Audi A1 Sportback 35TFSI
- Price – R517,000
- Power – 110kW/250Nm
- 0-100km/h – 7.7 seconds
- Top speed – 222km/h
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