The 2022 Volkswagen Polo GTI junior hot hatch has been revealed, with an Australian launch slated for the first half of 2022.
Volkswagen Australia has indicated we can expect the facelifted hot hatch around May next year with a carryover drivetrain, shortly after core models arrive early in the second quarter of 2022.
In Europe, the Polo GTI is now powered by a 152kW/320Nm 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, paired to a seven-speed DSG automatic and featuring a petrol particulate filter (PPF).
Volkswagen Australia has already indicated those changes won’t be reflected Down Under, due to our average fuel quality. So, the current 147kW/320Nm tune should soldier on with the existing six-speed DSG.
There is also a six-speed manual option available in Europe too, though again it’s produced exclusively with a PPF, ruling it out for our market.
Pricing and specifications for our market will be detailed in due course, but the majority of the design and feature enhancements available overseas are expected to be offered here.
The German brand’s rival to the Ford Fiesta ST picks up a slew of styling revisions, as well as an enhanced suite of technologies usually reserved for premium segments.
There’s new front and rear looks, headlined by revised headlights with available IQ.Light Matrix LED technology which also bundles a new LED light bar up front, as well as new LED tail lights.
New wheel designs also debut. The vehicle shown in press images wears the optional 18-inch design, though 17-inch rims will be standard in Europe.
Also new for the 2022 model is the IQ.Drive suite of assistance technologies, including Travel Assist – a semi-autonomous drive mode combining adaptive cruise and lane centring functions up to 210km/h.
The cabin gets an upgrade too, with a new sports steering wheel with VW’s new touch-capacitive controls, the latest MIB3.1 infotainment interface with 9.2-inch central touchscreen, and the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro virtual instrument cluster.
A new plaid/tartan cloth trim adorns the GTI sports seats, similar to the patterns used on the latest Golf GTI and R models, while red accents and contrast stitching are once again scattered throughout the cockpit.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest, and let us know your thoughts on the updated design in the comments below.
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