Geneva 2010: VW Polo GTI

Volkswagen is on a roll globally, with the company rolling out successful new products and successfully completing a purchase of Porsche.

The new Polo was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show last year, debuting with VW's new design theme. It's time to spice things up now with the GTI.

The way vehicle segments have grown with each passing generation, it seems as if the Polo is the de facto successor to the original, MK1 Golf. Small, sporty and lightweight

Styling changes aren't extreme , but they manage to provide a good effect. There is a new front bumper and airdam, along with the GTI staple honeycomb grille with horizontal red strips and GTI badge.

There are also new headlight units with the option of LED running lights that help to complete the look.

Changes out back are smaller still, with a sill extension that wraps around the body, as well as a new bumper with diffuser and chrome-tipped exhausts. The look is very clean, even the Polo badged is replaced with just the GTI moniker.

The Polo GTI's 17-inch wheels are identical to the ones on the Golf GTI says VW, and the red calipers fit in with the red and white color scheme.

Hot hatch looks are no good without hot hatch power, so lets move on to that. VW has dropped in a 1.4-liter TSI unit that is shared with the SEAT Ibiza Cupra.  The engine puts out 178 horsepower and makes 184 pound feet of torque. With a curb weight of only about 2505 pounds, the Polo GTI hits 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 142 mph.

To achieve those figures, VW says it uses a "supercharger from idle through to 3,000 rpm at which point the turbocharger cuts in to provide boost." To illustrate just how far VW has come since the original Golf, that power is routed through a seven-speed (!) dual-clutch gearbox.

We do a lot of complaining about European vehicles not coming here, and we'll do it again with the Polo GTI - hopefully VW brings it over. Pricing has yet to be announced; all we have now is three images released by VW and these details.