A tiny supercharged Polo quietly set world records: the limited GT G40 used VW's G-Lader supercharger for 1300cc-class endurance records, years before the same tech reached the Golf G60.
Median 64 hp across 259 similar cars
Lead trim: 1.3 Coupé S / GT (55 hp) · up to 113 hp
Volkswagen Polo Mk21981–1994
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Volkswagen Polo Mk2 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactA tiny supercharged Polo quietly set world records: the limited GT G40 used VW's G-Lader supercharger for 1300cc-class endurance records, years before the same tech reached the Golf G60.
The Volkswagen Polo Mk2 (Typ 86C) was introduced in October 1981 and produced until 1994, with a major facelift in October 1990 for the 1991 model year that brought square headlights, bigger bumpers and a new interior. The hatchback got a steep, almost vertical rear window (Steilheck, nicknamed the "breadvan" in the UK), a sedan was badged in most markets as the Derby and became the Polo Classic in all markets from 1984, and a "Coupé" resembling the Mk1 was added in 1983. Production began in Spain at Pamplona on April 27, 1984 following Volkswagen's collaboration with SEAT. A new 1043 cc unit replaced the previous 895 cc engine and was the first Polo engine with a Heron cylinder head, and Volkswagen used the Mk2 to develop supercharging, with a 40 mm G-Lader in the GT G40 version. The high-fuel-efficiency Formel E was introduced with a 1.1-litre engine at launch and a 1.3-litre from 1983.
Collectors Spotted in the Volkswagen Polo Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Volkswagen Polo yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
8 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 (1,043 cc) | 1981–1994 | 1.0 L Inline-4 | 55 hp | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.1 (1,093 cc) | 1981–1983 | 1.1 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.3 (1,272 cc) | 1981–1994 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.3 Coupé S / GT (55 hp) | 1983–1990 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | 55 hp | 70 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.3 GT G40 supercharged (113 hp) | 1987–1987 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | 113 hp | 109 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.3 GT injected, catalyst (75 hp) | 1991–1994 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | 75 hp | 72 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.3 diesel | 1986–1990 | 1.3 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| 1.4 diesel | 1990–1994 | 1.4 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | FWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
This is the first Polo generation Volkswagen refused to build with three doors at all.
The GTI's twincharged 1.4 made 180 PS by stacking a supercharger and turbo on the same engine.
A 130 PS diesel wore the badge GT, built alongside a sedan version made in Brazil, South Africa and China.
This was the first Polo ever offered with a turbodiesel, a 1.9-litre, though only in 6K models before the 2000 facelift.
A tiny supercharged Polo quietly set world records: the limited GT G40 used VW's G-Lader supercharger for 1300cc-class endurance records, years before the same tech reached the Golf G60.
It was the cheaper twin of the Audi 50, which sold so poorly Audi killed its own car off in 1978.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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