Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI Clubsport could have fake gear changes, engine noise

Although the ID. Polo GTI has yet to be officially unveiled, Volkswagen is reportedly working on a hotter Clubsport variant, which could feature fake engine sounds and simulated gear changes.

Speaking to Autocar, Florian Umbach, Volkswagen’s head of driving dynamics, revealed “we are working on something” with more power and torque to sit above the GTI in the ID. Polo range, which if history is any guide could wear the Clubsport badge.

Mr Umbach said the team is also working on “a similar kind of paddle shift power delivery [to that present on the electric] Hyundai N cars”. He added this feature was mainly about software for the motor control unit and building a suitable soundtrack.

A note of caution, though, as Mr Umbach said the Clubsport would only be greenlit by the board “if the GTI is a commercial success”.

Although the regular ID. Polo hasn’t been launched yet, we know it will have a 166kW/290Nm motor driving the front wheels. To help get all the mumbo to the ground there’s a torque vectoring front axle, and 19-inch wheels shod with 235-section tyres.

The ride height has been reduced by 15mm, and progressive steering assistance is standard. There will also be adaptive dampers, and stiffer anti-roll bars and suspension.

When it’s launched later this year, it will be Volkswagen’s first electric GTI. Up until now the company has resisted putting the hallowed badge on its lightly heated up electrified models, with GTE being used for plug-in hybrid cars and GTX on pure electric models.

According to the British magazine, the first shipments of the ID. Polo GTI are expected to land in German showrooms at the end of the year, with the rest of Europe to follow in 2027.

Availability of the ID. Polo, as well as any GTI variants, has yet to be confirmed for Australia.

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