POLO GTI - Viva La Rush!!

Apart from the aesthetic debate, I wonder, really, if it was a good idea to bring back a car as nasty as the Beetle. That it sold in such vast numbers — 21m were made — is not testament to its design brilliance so much as to the average customer’s stupidity. The engine was in the wrong place, the rear suspension was a recipe for disaster, air is not as good a cooling agent as water and the shape is all wrong. Pretty much what you’d expect, really, from a car designed in part by Hitler.

Ushering in a new feeling image for VW, meet the new Polo GTI. It’s almost exactly the same size as a Golf GTI, reflecting today's downsizing trend, the engine is smaller than in those early GTIs, its pistons displacing a mere 1.4 litres. But with the help of a supercharger and a turbocharger, there's 132kw on tap. R273 000 will see you cruising the streets in the 2010 car of the year.

The TSI Twincharger engine, which, combing the benefits of super- and turbo-charging, offers exceptional punch from low down right through to 7000rpm. The engine note sets the scene, its snorty, gruff induction noise pitching you straight into your own private trackday fantasy.

As with the engine, the chassis is friskier than the Golf's and less the civilised tourer. It steers firmly and positively with a good bite from the front tyres, the nose tucks in keenly but the ESP light is easily triggered as you power out of corners.

There's a touch of torque steer, too, the good sort that adds to the feistiness. The tail edges out just enough not to feel inert if you throttle-off, but – as usual in a VW Group car – the warning light flashes annoyingly if the ESP is switched on. Over bumps the ride is firm, but it's very well damped with no after-bounce or choppiness.

Here is the best attempt yet at a convincing GTI-badged Polo, a car with its own personality freed from the shadow of the Golf. It looks right for the role, too, with its deep valances, honeycomb grille, red stripes and twin tailpipes, plus a mini-GTI interior treatment.


The polo GTI has a relaxed character, sharp styling and an appealing price tag. If this ticks your boxes, the POLO GTI is a compelling proposition worth serious consideration.