Much more than a car video. Volkswagen placed a rally-spec Polo inside its assembly line for an unforgettable presentation.
- What is the Volkswagen Gymkhana video? It’s an official production celebrating 50 years of the Polo with radical drifts and high performance, starring the hatchback in a performance inspired by Ken Block’s videos.
- Why is the Polo so important to Volkswagen? The Polo is the automaker’s most significant global subcompact hatchback, bringing innovation, sportiness, and technical evolution for five decades.
- What’s the difference between the Polo, Polo GTI, and ID.Polo? The standard Polo focuses on urban efficiency, the GTI emphasizes sportiness, while the ID.Polo will be the all-electric version of the line, with its debut expected in 2026.
- Where was the Polo Gymkhana filmed? The video uses the Volkswagen factory in Kariega as its setting, combining an industrial environment with bold and unprecedented maneuvers for the model.
- What engine powers the WRX Polo in the video? The WRX Polo is powered by a turbocharged engine with over 570 hp, all-wheel drive, and aerodynamic load worthy of world rally champions.
If you thought the Golf was the king of Volkswagen hatchbacks, prepare to rethink your concepts! The new official Polo Gymkhana video has gone global, packing everything speed, technology, and tradition fans look for into a few minutes: drifts, excitement, and even a camouflaged electric Polo hinting at the brand’s future.
In the viral video, world rally champion Johan Kristoffersson pilots a WRX Polo in the iconic Harlequin livery, demonstrating why compact hatchbacks are still pure performance explosions. He pushes the limits with precise maneuvers, drives through assembly line corridors, and encounters versions like the Polo GTI and the ID.Polo prototype, the latter heralding the start of a new era of electric compacts from Volkswagen.
The Polo, launched in 1975, has established itself as a global icon for its efficiency, compact size, and cost-effectiveness. The Polo GTI, in turn, takes the hatchback to the extreme with a turbocharged engine that easily exceeds 200 hp, sports suspension, and an aggressive look, positioning itself uniquely among rivals like the Peugeot 208 GTI and Renault Clio RS.
The presence of the camouflaged ID.Polo in the video indicates that Volkswagen is ready to dare again, diving headfirst into the electric compact segment. Its platform is derived from MEB+, promising significant range for urban use, sporty acceleration, and the typical youthful DNA of the Polo. To fully understand what’s changing in VW’s future, learn more about the MEB+ platform’s electric revolution and the role of the ID.Polo.
Technical Specifications – WRX Polo, Polo GTI, ID.Polo
- WRX Polo Engine: Turbo, >570 hp, all-wheel drive
- Polo GTI: 2.0 Turbo, 207 hp, 6-speed DSG
- ID.Polo: MEB+ Platform, 100% electric, power not yet revealed
- Harlequin Design: Limited edition and highly collectible
- Sports Suspension: Dedicated setup for track and street performance
Polo vs. Compact Competitors (Bullet Points)
- Polo GTI: Over 200 hp, DSG, pure sportiness
- Peugeot E-208 GTI: 156 hp (electric), superior range
- Renault Clio 2026 Hybrid: Focus on efficiency, less sportiness
- Honda Fit Type‑R: Aggressive look, turbocharged engine, unprecedented concept
The Polo Gymkhana video is also a tribute to the automotive culture that inspires generations. It elevates hatchbacks to the status of living global legends. Radical maneuvers inside a factory? Yes, you only see that here!
With the arrival of the ID.Polo and a focus on sportiness, Volkswagen shows that its DNA is pure passion – whether on asphalt, on the track, or in the congested streets of big cities. For fans of spec sheets and performance comparisons, it’s also worth checking out the technologies of the 2025 Golf R and understanding by the numbers if there’s still room for gasoline-powered sports cars.
If you want to know how other compacts are adapting to the electric or hybrid era, dive deeper with an analysis of the 2026 Renault Clio hybrid, which illustrates the new paradigm of youthful and efficient hatchbacks.
Finally, don’t miss the evolution of the segment, with electric Polos emerging on all continents. The compact hatchback has never been so global and disruptive. The electric Peugeot E-208 GTI and other rivals show that the battle for the crown of fast compacts is open!
Liked VW’s boldness? Comment: Combustion Polo, GTI, or ID.Polo? Which one would you choose today? Share your opinion and tag that hatchback fan friend!
Author: Fabio Isidoro
Founder and editor-in-chief of Canal Carro, he dedicates himself to exploring the automotive universe with depth and passion. A car and technology enthusiast, he produces technical content and in-depth analyses of national and international vehicles, combining quality information with a critical eye for the public.