The Volkswagen Polo suffered very minimal changes in the recent facelift it received, though, the mechanical upgrades are more important than the cosmetic ones. It seems that VW employees do have an ear turned towards the scene and have heard the complaints over the lack of a manual gearbox option in the hot GTI.

Now, the Polo-based hot hatch has gained more power and a report published on WhatCar says it could come with the option of a stick shift from early 2015 onward.

Now pumping out 189hp, instead of the old 177hp, from the 1.4-liter turbo engine, it will still retain the DSG automatic that it’s so far only been available with to take the fight to the new paddle-shifting Renault Clio RS – the manual box will make it a bit more of a problem for the popular Fiesta ST.

We look forward to seeing this happen and turn the so far average Polo GTI more into an appealing driver’s car.

Check out what it’s currently like, via the Fifth Gear review video below.

By Andrei Nedelea

Note: Pre-facelifted Polo GTI pictured

VIDEO