ABT Celebrates The VW Polo’s 40th Ann. With A Performance Boost

They grow up so fast; especially if helped by a high-end tuner.

How much did the Polo evolve in its 40-year timeline? In 1975, when the first generation rolled off the line, it had an 895 cc engine producing exactly 40 hp. To make matters even more…lightweight, it came equipped with cardboard interior door panels. So yeah, looking at the current-gen Polo, with its creature comforts – which we take for granted – and its top-of-the-line GTI-spec 189 hp 1.8 TSI powerplant, we can’t help thinking that Volkswagen’s little automobile has come a long way. Still, it could be better.

Or at least that’s what ABT Sportsline thinks, because the German tuner has prepped a subtle styling package and two performance upgrades for the compact car, making it much angrier in the process.

In fact, with a new, specially developed control unit, ABT bumped-up the Polo GTI’s 1.8-litre engine to an amazing 230 PS (226 hp) and 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque. As ABT CEO Hans-Jürgen points out: “40 years ago it would have taken the then brand new Porsche Turbo to beat it.”

Come to think of it, the 1975, 3.0-litre, 930 911 Turbo was notorious for being a widowmaker and it produced 254 hp.

Anyway, besides garnishing the Polo with lowered sport suspension, huge 18-inch wheels, center double-tailpipes and a carbon-look rear skirt, ABT also prepared a performance boost for the more mundane 1.2-litre TSI unit – which was pumped from the standard 110 PS (108 hp) and 175 Nm (129 lb-ft) output all the way to 140 PS (138 hp) and 220 Nm (162 Nm) of torque. It won’t beat a 1975 911 Turbo, but maybe it will give a 924 Turbo a run for its money.