Volkswagen to continue its GTI range with Golf, Polo and Up; no new cars to get the GTI badge
Volkswagen confirms that it won’t expand the GTI badge and continue with the Golf, Polo and Up. The announcement comes after rumors surfaced that f the German auto manufacturer is aiming to introduce more GTI badged models including a SUV as well. Volkswagen Boss Herbert Diess has dismissed the rumor and said the company will stick with three GTI models that it offers currently.
Volkswagen GTI badge is known for introducing sportiness to the regular models. As VW boss has said, GTI for the company is the hot hatch, a classless sporty car with potential for everyday use and affordable for many buyers. While it doesn’t have any plan to expand the GTI range, the company aims to increase the sporty hybrid range with GTE badge.
Also read: 2018 Volkswagen Polo Officially Revealed in Berlin
Volkswagen clears that electrification is the future of automobiles and considering that GTE has better prospect compared to GTI. But, it has been confirmed that the brand’s popular premium hatchback Polo won’t receive the GTE badge due to its market positioning and also to keep the pricing lower.
Focusing on the GTE badge could be an important part of Volkswagen’s strategy to roll out more environment friendly cars. Post Dieselgate scam, The German auto giant has cleared that it will focus on electric cars and hybrid models. It plans to launch 25 electric vehicles by 2025. Speaking about the GTI models, Volkswagen sells the Polo GTI in India. But, this performance based hatchback has been restricted to only 99 units for the domestic market.
Also read: Upcoming Cars in India Priced Between Rs. 10-15 Lakh
Interestingly, Volkswagen Polo GTI is the first three-door hot hatch of the country that makes it more distinctive. It gets power from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine coupled with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and it is capable of churning out 192 PS of peak power between 5,400 rpm and 6,200 rpm, while the torque output from this car is 250 Nm generated between 1,250 rpm and 5,300 rpm. It can accelerate to 100 kmph from standstill in just 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 233 kmph.
2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI Gallery
Source: Autocar