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2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI: Manual Version Gets Good Review, First Acceleration Test

Just over a month after it made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, the new Polo GTI is making its way into the hands of German auto magazine Auto Bild. With the segment crowded by so many cool new cars, it's hard for the model to shine after only a minor facelift, but they say the powertrain is much improved.
Polo GTI 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
As you're probably all aware, Volkswagen has ditched the 1.4-liter twin-charged TSI engine in favor of a bigger 1.8 TSI that was originally developed by Audi to serve MQB compact cars. Not only is it more powerful, with 192 HP instead of 180 HP, but there's also more torque and it's delivered lower in the rev range.

Auto Bild got to test the new Polo GTI with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This hasn't been available until now, as Volkswagen offered the hot Polo as a DSG-only. In offering a conventional stick, the Germans have answered the requests of many fans. The video review you'll be able to watch below suggests the gearbox is precise and has short throws, perfect for a hot hatch.

They also highlight the fact that while the baby GTI has a drive mode selector, it's not as complex as the one on the Golf. You just get a "Sport" button on the upper dash that sharpens everything up. When it's not engaged, the Polo is a decent everyday car.

The 2015 Polo GTI continues to be offered with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as well, which is great for people who want a car that's easier to drive and requires less involvement. We found another video from a Youtube channel called Ausfahrt.tv which shows how quick and powerful the new car is. From around 40 km/h, the needle jumps to 80 as the front wheels are overpowered with 320 Nm of torque.

It's a huge improvement over the old model and a very competent little car. We just wished it was a little cheaper, since at €22,270, it's very close to the new MINI Cooper S, which starts at €23,800 and is considered by many to be a benchmark. Advance sales have already started in Germany and the European launch will begin in February 2015.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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