Volkswagen Polo Video Reviews

The new Polo is the smallest Volkswagen you can currently buy, and the angriest is the Polo GTI. So, is it too small? Does it cost too much? And is it quick enough?

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the updated MkV Volkswagen Polo GTI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

VW has decided to give the Polo a little bit of a refresh. Now if you're sitting here wondering what has changed, well so where we.But rest assured, there's quite a lot going on here under the skin and some exterior changes, such as some new headlights and a re-designed front bumper.

So show me the 11 grand, already. I really want someone to explain the premium between Volkswagen's Mark VI Golf GTI five-door and its new Polo GTI and -- more to the point -- why I should pay it. Because I was thinking about it.I ask as someone who gladly forked out full freight for a Mark V Golf GTI five years ago. I remain firmly of the opinion there's only one car under $100,000 that does so much better, and that's a Mark VI Golf GTI.Or so it was until last week.The resolve that the only worthy replacement for our family car was another of the same crumbled to biscuit mix when Carsguide took delivery of a Polo GTI.The previous Polo GTI, appealing though it remains, was also just a bit contrived, something of an afterthought: the old VW group 1.8 turbo shoved in, a five-speed manual, a few badges stuck on and Heinrich's your uncle.The newbie, which arrives after two lesser Polos won Carsguide's Car of the Year and Best Green Car, was envisaged as a halo model -- if one priced under $28K can be so described -- from inception.Yes, it shares much with its milder siblings, most notably within, but is bequeathed the best of its bigger brother's bits.There's the same tactile GTI steering wheel, the red stitching, the standard tartan upholstery. The mesh grille is lined in red, the same 17-inch Denver alloys look bolder here and, if anything, the accents are more distinct and purposeful than on the too-discreet Golf.Similarly lowered, and with its own suspension settings, the Polo shares the Golf's XDL (extended electronic differential lock), which all but arrests understeer when the car is tipped hard into a corner.Some 200kg lighter, it gets the most powerful version yet of VW's 1.4-litre, direct-injection, twincharged engine, which seamlessly deploys a supercharger beneath a turbocharger to equal the Golf's performance and better its economy. It's a pocket rocket.Size is the essential difference. If you can live without the Golf's marginally bigger dimensions -- the Polo is about equivalent to a medium hatchback of a decade ago -- you'll lose nothing, and even gain somewhat, in the dynamics department.My chief caveat -- the lack of a manual -- is one that probably 75 per cent of GTI buyers would consider an asset. With the Polo version, you get the seven-speed version of the twin-clutch automatic DSG or nothing.Otherwise, as I say, show me where to look for that $11K.

A budget-priced fireball has been added to the Carsguide Car of the Year winner.  The Polo GTI, launched in Australia on the day its smaller sister won the prestigious COTY as the nation’s best car, has been launched at an unexpectedly affordable $27,790 - including a dual-clutch DSG transmission as standard.Even more amazing, the Polo GTI uses a downsized 1.4-litre engine yet runs the same 6.9 second 100km/h sprint as the 2-litre Golf GTI - a car that costs from $11,000 more.VALUEVolkswagen Australia marketing manager Jutta Friese says its “a great price for a great car‘’ and represents excellent value for money.  She says part of the price - which comes in about $5000 under expectations - is about the favourable exchange rate.“It’s very much in our favour,” she says.  “It will have further impact on new models for 2011, including Jetta, Passat and Touareg.”The Polo is available with one engine - the turbo-supercharged 1.4 TSI - and one transmission, a seven-speed DSG.  But buyers have a choice of body styles - a three-door ($27,790) or a five-door ($28,990) - for the car.This compares with the big sister Golf GTI at $38,990 for the three door and $40,490 for the five door - and that’s the manual transmission price.  DSG adds about $3000 indicating the price gap between the two siblings is about $14,000.Given the latest Polo is the same size as the first generation Golf, the choice could be a no brainer given performance is identical.The GTI is built in Spain, compared with the other Polo variants which come from South Africa.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.4-litre TSI engine uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to cleverly get power up to 132kW and torque to 250Nm. This compares to the previous model which had a 1.8-litre  turbocharged engine for 110kW and 220Nm.Volkswagen claims the new Polo GTI also gets 6.1 litres/100km (compared with last year’s model at 8.0 l/100km).  It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds, compared with the previous model’s 8.2 seconds.All this is due to the brilliant torque, power and versatility of the super-turbo design, though is aided by the rapid changes of the DSG.  Suspension and steering remain as per GTI standards, which is an excellent compromise between handling and comfort.DESIGNThe Golf-like Polo looks the part. Volkswagen has trimmed the baby hottie up to look like the Golf GTI - they may be mistaken on the road - so gets the three main colours of red, white and black together with silver and blue.The sports seats feature high bolsters and are finished - like the original 1976 Golf GTI in tartan fabric. Owners can select optional leather and Alcantara.Compared with the standard Polo, the GTI gets new front and rear bumpers, 17-inch alloy wheels in the Denver design, a small rear spoiler and dual chrome tailpipes exiting stage left.SAFETYLots of features are included in the price - six-speaker iPod compatible audio, cruise control, alloy pedals, electric and heated mirrors, paddleshifters on the steering column, daylight running lights, airconditioning and so on - but safety is the GTI’s hallmark.It gets six airbags, ESC and brake assist with other electronic chassis aids.DRIVINGJeez this thing is quick! Up Collingrove’s hillclimb just out of Adelaide, it literally flies over the jumps and yet has a tenacious grip on the narrow bitumen road.There’s power from idle through to 6000rpm but you really feel the bang around 3500rpm when the supercharger is automatically turned off and the turbocharger is left to its own devices, pumping air into the tiny 1.4-litre engine.The handling is exquisite - one of the reasons the Polo won COTY - and tied down even more in the GTI that sits 15mm lower and rides on wider, lower profile rubber.The steering is pin sharp, the brakes dynamic and the seats hold you so firmly that you feel part of the car. On top of that, it takes to commuting with ease and is very comfortable and quiet even over rutted roads.  Love it!