Volkswagen has opened the order books for the new limited edition Polo GTI. Limited to just 2,500 models worldwide, the new version celebrates a quarter of a century since Volkswagen added the ‘GTI’ letters to a Polo.

Of the 2,500 models available, 350 will be coming to the UK and the car has all the features that you’d associate with a GTI including red brake callipers and trim strips, a honeycomb design on the radiator grille and chrome plated tailpipes. The Polo GTI Edition 25 also comes with 18-inch black gloss Adelaide alloy wheels, a black roof and black exterior mirrors exclusively for the anniversary edition and reaffirming its sporty appearance. For night time driving , dazzling IQ.Light LED matrix headlights are also included on the car.

On the inside, premium sport seats in perforated black red leather, finished with stitched GTI logos and black gloss decorative trim with red GTI lettering come as standard. The exclusivity of the car will be hammered home with a ‘One of 2,500’ logo on the sill panel trim, reminding owners just in case they forgot. The 350 UK models also have keyless locking, heated front seats and a rear view camera.

The original Polo GTI a quarter of a century ago used the Mk3 Polo from 1994-2001 and gave it a much sought after boost. Breakthrough technologies for its class saw features like sat-nav and xenon headlights added as well as more edgy styling. This is something that has continued across the five generations of Polo GTI, with the GTI lettering being indicative of a true hot hatch and something seen on Volkswagens since the Golf GTI in 1976.

In the front wheel drive Polo GTI Edition 25, a 2.0-litre 207 PS TSI engine gives a 0-62mph time of just 6.5 seconds, with cornering not an issue either thanks to improved traction and handling precision typical of GTI models in general.

Available in Ascot Grey, Pure White, Kings Red Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic and Smoke Grey Metallic, there is a variety of colours for fans to choose from. Priced at £31,295 including VAT, this may be seen as a hefty sum for a hatchback, however, its limited availability may negate that.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Volkswagen