The Polo GTi hasn’t had the same easy journey into our hearts as the Golf GTi, but that slower journey gives it excellent potential as a future classic.

The first GTi-badged Polo was based on the MK3, launched in Europe in 1994 with a run of 3,000 in left-hand drive, but its roots date back to the late 80s with the supercharged 1.3L Mk2 Polo G40, sold in the UK from 1990 to 1994 and prized by collectors today as an import with a production run of less than 2,000.

The UK’s first proper love-in with the Polo GTi came between 1999 and 2002 with the facelifted MK3 ‘6N2’ Polo GTi powered by a 1.6-litre 16-V 125 PS engine with VVT (variable valve timing). It lacked power and torque and was more expensive than its rivals, but it still sold okay, thanks to the lure of the VW brand.

An enormous jump in performance came with the next Polo GTi, the MK4, released in 2005 with the still-tasty 1.8-litre turbocharged engine with 150PS. This model was closer to what people wanted from a hot hatch, but it received scathing reviews due to a lack of equipment like Xenon headlights and flagging performance to rivals.

This led VW to launch the uprated Polo GTI Cup Edition with 177 bhp, 29 bhp more than the standard Polo GTI, with a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds versus 8.2, and a body kit with a new Polo GTi front bumper and exclusive alloys.

Fast-forward to 2010, and the Mk5 Polo GTI was born with an interesting 180PS 1.4-litre TSI engine (turbocharged and supercharged). It was also 7.5% lighter than the MK4, giving it an impressive 6.9 second 0-62mph time.

In 2015, VW replaced the 1.4 TSI engine with a beefier 1.8 TSI engine, with a 6.4-second 0-62mph time. It had better mid-range torque to improve how it felt in real-world conditions and became the benchmark for the modern Polo GTi.  

Which Polo GTI’s have future classic status?

The Volkswagen Polo GTi has had several special high-performance editions over the years that could become future classics. The first was the Polo GT version of the Mk1F in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the supercharged G40 models of the Mk2 and Mk2F produced 115hp and set several world endurance speed records.

The Mk3 in the 1990s saw the first use of the GTI label on a Polo, with a 123hp 1.6L 16V model, and in 2004, VW produced an even faster 177hp turbocharged 1.8L Club Sport limited edition of the Mk4 – this is a future classic.

The Polo has also been rallied extensively, winning several World Rally Championships in the 2010s – these models are always popular, with their performance pedigrees and limited production runs giving them good potential to become sought-after classics among hot hatch enthusiasts and collectors.

The verdict

When looking at future classic potential, a few Polo GTi models stand out for their pedigree and rarity value. Like the '80s G40 with its supercharger. Only a few thousand were ever made - prime collectable material right there.

Or the wild Polo GTI Cup Edition from 2004, with its turbocharged 1.8-litre with 177 horses in a limited edition - instant future classic!

The Polo GTi has come a long way from the weaker MK3s of the '90s. Now we have pocket rockets like the 180hp MK5.

And we can't ignore the rally heritage either. Polos have scored big rally wins over the years, so those models will always be desirable.

While it's been a slower journey compared to the Golf GTi into legend status, the Polo has earned its stripes. The special editions especially have the pedigree to become sought-after classics, making them an excellent choice for collectors.