Refreshed VW Polo GTI Driven

We recently expended some time with the recently refreshed VW Polo GTI and share our feelings in this report.

VW’s Polo is a perennial top rated seller in the neighborhood industry. It is not tough to see why. The small hatch is classy, nicely constructed (ideal listed here in SA we may possibly include) and feels like it delivers a much better encounter than a lot of of its rivals. There are also a couple of diverse variants on sale with an choice to match most purchasers. 

At the leading of the tree is the VW Polo GTI, which is the vehicle we just lately drove, and for the initial time ever. The assortment-topping variation bears people three letters created renowned by VW with its Golfing. The Polo GTI stepped in to fill the job after occupied by Golf as the bigger sibling matured.

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New exterior physical appearance

All Polo models just lately underwent the knife for a slightly revised appear. This provided the apex variation. From the exterior the up-to-date Polo vary functions new bumpers entrance and again. A new tailgate functions elongated tail lights. Talking of which, the head and taillights are LED objects with a light strip along the radiator grille. The latter gives the car a room-agey physical appearance at evening. The GTI positive aspects from LED matrix headlights and a pink strip on the radiator grille together with a honeycomb grille, hexagonal foglamps and purple brake calipers.

Examine out the full historical past of the VW Golfing GTI by clicking listed here.

New tech

Volkswagen has also taken the option to set up a new seem HVAC management unit and steering wheel. In the Polo GTI controls are managed by a contact panel with capacitive sliders replacing the bodily switches and dials. We have to say that we choose the older technique, or just actual physical buttons as they are easy to adjust without looking and really do not need a deft touch to run.

The new touchscreen interface is uncomplicated to use and quick to reply. There is also a absolutely digital instrument cluster. The two of these, alongside with the leather-based upholstery give the cabin a high quality feel, a lot more so than some of the Polo’s competition in this segment, or even from a section above.

Contact factors for the driver consist of a new sports steering wheel with ‘GTI’ badge, as effectively as a chunky gear selector that lights up at night time. Both of these have pink accents. In reality, that exact hue is made use of close to the cabin, which includes the stitching and dashboard inserts of our take a look at unit. There are also a pair of aluminium pedals to enable you know this is the sportiest Polo of the relatives.

Click here to examine our review of the Mk8 VW Golf GTI.

Unchanged powertrain

While the hottest VW Polo GTI has a selection of upgrades, none has been carried out below the skin. Under the bonnet is the identical 2,-litre engine as just before. This turbocharged inline-4 nevertheless develops 147 kW of power and a balanced 320 N.m of torque in a plateau from 1 500 – 4 350 r/min. VW does not supply its smaller very hot hatch with three pedals. Push is, as is now custom, sent to the entrance axle by way of an automatic twin-clutch transmission, or DSG in VW talk.

Fantastic base

This is, oddly, the 1st time we have had the option to push a VW Polo GTI in its latest form. We by some means did not get the possibility with the pre-facelift model possibly. The VW Polo has a good platform in typical. The journey quality and basic feeling of solidity permeates the GTI edition.

In this guise the Polo rides on massive alloys with ultra-small profile rubber and is 15 mm lower to the floor than its siblings. But none of that appears to be to hinder the good quality of the typical experience. We did obtain some of that much more scarred tar can be felt in the cabin, but that was usually at pace. That vast footwear does afford plenty of grip nevertheless the steering is mainly lifeless.

Click on below to go through five info about the not long ago produced VW Taigo.

Missing sparkle

The automated transmission in the VW Polo GTI robs the driver the capacity to correctly engage with the driving working experience. There are paddle shifters behind the steering wheel rim but they are plasticky and detached from any mechanical link. Also, the engine’s peak torque arrives so early on that one definitely doesn’t need to have to be precise with obtaining a equipment-shift point. Revving it tougher is not much more fun.

When particularly speedy, the Polo GTI isn’t a playful, chuckable car that goads you into the driving working experience in the identical way that a past-gen Ford Fiesta ST does. For some unidentified motive Ford SA does not provide the most recent model in this article so we cannot comment on that. Absolutely sure, it will in all probability walk away from most of its competition, but it doesn’t have interaction and delight in the way a great compact incredibly hot hatch need to, which is a shame. We search ahead to driving the future Hyundai i20N for a return to the small auto magic.

Summary

The VW Polo GTI is observed as an attainable ‘performance’ car for quite a few in SA. It has a great deal of electric power and torque, appears to be the portion and handles quite perfectly. VW has extended been credited with making the scorching hatch style with the Mk1 Golfing GTI. Given that the Golfing has developed into a additional mature prospect the doorway was open for VW to imbue the Polo with some stage of mischievousness, but it hasn’t.

We can’t support but think that even just the addition of a guide transmission would increase a stage of entertaining component that the Polo GTI lacks. Possessing mentioned that, VW sells Polos by the truck load, so they must know a thing or two about what people today actually want…

Model: VW Polo GTI 

Value: R494 600

Motor: 2,-litre inline 4, turbocharged petrol

Transmission: six-speed automated, FWD

Max energy: 147 kW

Max torque: 320 N.m

-100 km/h: 6,7 sec

Major pace: 238 km/h

Gasoline consumption: L/100 km