Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Polo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Volkswagen-VW Polo has a 1272cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Polo shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Polo's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 720 kgs (1587 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2007 KTM X-Bow 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Polo shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1272cc 8V St4 engine produces 116 bhp (86 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Supercharged St4 throws out 107 lb-ft (145.0 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Polo you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (186.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Polo.

The Volkswagen-VW Polo has a Power to weight ratio of 161.1 bhp per ton and 148.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Polo competing with the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (186.1 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Audi A3 S3 Saloon 2.0 Turbo (185.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Polo generating around 148.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (173.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (173.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Polo and the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Polo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.99 secs @ 91.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (14.92 secs), the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (14.92 secs), and the 2013 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Diesel Turbo (14.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Polo equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph), or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Polo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison