km : Automotive News

The new Polo GTI has arrived, and we want it bad. It uses Volkswagen's mind-boggling 1.4-liter twincharger, which means it has both a supercharger and a turbocharger for lots of boost and the low-end advantages of a supercharger coupled with the high-end qualities of the turbo. It makes an amazing 178 horsepower and an even more impressive 184 lb-ft from an engine that's barely larger than those in some sportbikes. The 0-60 mph dance comes in 6.9 seconds and fuel economy is claimed to be around 39 mpg on the European combined cycle. Wow, indeed.

Other high-tech drivetrain components include an optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and XDS, Volkswagen's electronic limited-slip differential. Those should both help the new Polo GTI scoot smoothly through corners, though a curb weight under 2700 pounds certainly doesn't hurt, either. It arrives in European dealers this August and at US dealers when we go home tonight and start dreaming.

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