2018 VW Polo Grows Up And Gets 200-hp GTI From Day One

VW has unveiled its 2018 Polo model, the sixth generation of its lucrative supermini. 

The new car has grown in almost every direction and is bigger than ever before, with luggage space increased by 25% over the outgoing model to 351 liters.

VW has also made full use of its MQB platform to cut engineering costs and leave room for technology you’d normally expect to see on much bigger cars. 

The new Polo is available with automatic cruise control, emergency brake assist, LED headlights and blind spot detection, as well as a digital instrument display panel and 8-inch infotainment screen. For the first time in the Polo you’ve also got the option of keyless entry and starting. 

The Polo will launch with nine emissions-friendly Euro 6-compatible engines ranging from a 1.0-liter gasoline producing 65 horsepower to the company's brand new 1.5-liter gasoline with cylinder deactivation and 150 hp. Two 1.6-liter diesel engines produce 80 hp and 95 hp.

Excitingly for performance fans, the new GTi model arrives straight away at launch and comes with a mind-boggling 200 hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine – we can’t wait to get our hands on that one. 

Design-wise, the Polo remains recognizable but has upped its game in the style stakes, though it's more of a subtle facelift rather than an entirely new look. A surefire talking point will be the so-called ‘tornado line’ that cuts quite the dash along the side of the car from the indicator repeaters all the way to the rear lights. 

The new Polo looks much wider and more grown-up at the front – partly thanks to a growth spurt that’s added 7 centimeters (2.7 inches) to its width, but also thanks to styling lines that emphasize and accentuate the width of the car, particularly the chrome in the grille that bleeds into the LED headlights. 

Inside the car is much more stylish, with a dashboard you wouldn’t be ashamed to invite your friends round to. Volkswagen is joining the personalization party a few years late, but is enthusiastic about the opportunities afforded by 14 exterior colors, 12 wheels, 13 different dashboard decorations, two interior trim options and 11 different seat covers. 

Not only that, but the Polo Beats is down with the kids thanks to its 16-inch alloys, sports seats, stickers and 300-watt sound system approved by Dr Dre himself. 

Orders in Europe will open later this year and the car is expected to be in the first customers’ hands by January 2018. Pricing at home in Germany kicks off from €12,975.