Polo GTI packs a deceptive punch

By Stuart Johnston

The most deceptive aspect of the new Polo GTI is the way it builds speed, almost without trying. If you grab a boot-full of throttle off the line and keep your right foot buried for the shortest of spells, you’ll be amazed to glance at the speedo and see it heading south of the 120 km/h mark before you can say “Gee Tee Aaaheee!”

Part of the deception process is that the new two-litre four-cylinder engine is not a revver. Although the redline is at 6 500, it rarely gets there if you rely entirely on the DSG gearbox’s full-throttle shift points. And the engine note is sort of solid, without being in any way alacritous.

Although VWSA product expert Stefan Beuhrmann reckons that the direct-injection motor is essentially based on the same block as that fitted to the 162 kW Golf GTI, a close examination of the stats shows that the Polo motor displaces 1 988 cc, while the Golf GTI mill is marginally smaller at 1 984 cc.

Differences in feel and the way power is unleashed

This seems to indicate that the differences between the two motors are rather more substantial than just more turbo-boost for the hot Golf.

In feel, there is  quite a big differences between the two engines. The Golf motor is profiled to produce its power peak higher up the rev range and revs freely in the  region of 7 000 rpm, whereas there is a noticeable power drop-off in the Polo as it approaches the 6 000 mark. The factory specs bare this out, charting where it develops a 147 kW maximum. However, the Polo GTI's peak torque of 320 Nm is not far off the 350 Nm max of the Golf GTI, and what’s more the Polo’s torque peak stays constant from 1 500 revs to 4 400 revs. So you are looking at big bang in the middle of the rev range without too much in the way of dramatics.

0-100 km/h in the sixes

The performance specs bare all this out too. 0-100 km/h in 6,7 seconds and a top speed of 237 are very close numbers  to those of the Golf GTI. All of this is very impressive in a car that is no lightweight at 1 355 kg, and that is not surprising, as the new Polo GTI is as big as a Golf of a couple of generations ago.

Traditional GTI attributes present and correct

Other traditional VW attributes are very much present in the new Polo GTI. The steering is very well weighted in the straight ahead position, and responsive too. The GTI-specific steering wheel has a nice fat leather-covered rim with chunky thumb supports, and the GTI sports seats are supportive and covered with, in our launch models, a funky mix of what VW calls “Art Velour” upholstery. Full leather seats are available as an option.

Another striking feature of the interior is that is available with  red contrasting panels for the dash panel, centre console and the door trims. That is, unless you have ordered a Flash Red Polo GTI, one of the four exterior colours on offer. In that case, you will get a panel kit in Deep Iron Metallic, which is also available on order for Polo GTIs painted in Pure White, Deep Black pearl Effect or Reef Blue Metallic.

You feel special in the cockpit

The interior makes you feel special thanks to red contrasting stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever trim, the floor mats and the outer edges of the seats.

Some of the panelling inside the Polo GTI is as per the more run-of-the-mill models, and here, as we noted in our launch report on the standard models a few months ago, the plastic quality is a little harder, brittle almost,  and less plush than one might expect. But owners will take delight in the special GTI digital instrumentation, and also in the 8-inch infotainment unit, with radio and CD player, especially if you have ordered the optional Discover Media navigation system.

Options

Talking of options, our launch car was fitted with the optional (R5 050 extra)  Sport Select suspension, which enables different damping settings for the standard fit sports suspension which features a ride height 15 mm lower than the standard Polo, with the springs and anti rolls bars tuned for a much more sporting ride. And yes, at that price, it’s an option definitely worth going for.

Wheels in 17 and 18 inches

Standard wheels are 17 inches in diameter, in a design VW calls “Milton Keynes”, for some reason. Optional 18-inch alloys, called the Brescia. We understand the Brescia reference as it has emotive Italian road race connotations, whereas “Milton Keynes”, well it is an English  industrial estate, known for its traffic circles. That, and the fact that Mercedes build components for its Formula One operation there….

Ride just a tad unrefined over ripples and on rough tar

Our launch car for the trip around a few mountain passes in the Western Cape was fitted with the 17-inchers, shod with 215/45-17 rubber, and despite the slightly higher profiles of these tyres compared to the 18-inch option, we found the ride just a little susceptible to road irregularities, even taking into account the car’s sporty nature. There was also a little too much road noise for our liking, and wind noise was higher than might have been expected.

Grip was excellent, both in fast sweeps and also in tight bends, thanks in part to the special XDS differential lock fitted, which prevents the inside front wheel from spinning in a hard corner taken a bit too fast. Trying to provoke a slide by taking an unnecessarily sharp turn in to a tight corner, one could feel the diff working, and transferring power to the loaded-up outside front tyre.

In summary

So, in summary very impressive performance of the unobtrusive variety, and effortless operation of the DSG gearbox, whether you choose to engage the paddle shifts or not. The styling is appealingly subtle, as is the VW way, and the subtle badging and deeper front spoiler and roof spoiler accentuate the pronounced arrow-head styling this car has in profile.

And the price is amazing

The best bit is the price. While it is still not cheap, it is actually cheaper than the outgoing, less-potent Polo GTI, at R375 900. And way, way cheaper than the Golf GTI at R545 000! It makes GTI driving affordable o a whole new segment of VW fans, and ultimatel.