Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Polo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.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, Hatchback 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 830 kgs (1829 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer 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 111 lb-ft (150.4 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (164.7 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 139.7 bhp per ton and 133.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 Polo competing with the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (164.7 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Ford Capri Tickford Turbo (164.6 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 133.7 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 2008 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI GT (158.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth (158.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Polo and the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Polo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.65 secs @ 87.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (15.58 secs), the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (15.59 secs), and the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (15.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Volkswagen-VW Polo G40 1.3 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 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 1992 Volkswagen-VW Polo 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:

1992 Polo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison