Volkswagen Polo GTI tested in Sepang
Last week, we brought you news that Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has launched the all-new Polo GTI at very attractive prices of RM132,888 and RM135,888. Registration and insurance adds a further four-grand-plus to those figures, but there is little doubt that the Polo GTI is one of the most affordable cars out there that wears a badge that most motoring enthusiasts lust for.
Special praise must be given to the folks in VGM’s product planning for making the bold call of making both the three-door and five-door variants available for sale. From the two figures mooted in our opening paragraph, the cheaper price naturally belongs to the three-door model, but with the five-door just RM3,000 away, it really boils down to the matter of personal need and preference as to which model is the one to take. VGM currently anticipates a 50:50 split between the two models, but only time will tell.
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From the previous Polo GTI, fans will be pleased to know that the asking price has actually dropped. It is not at a level that would make a significant difference, but considering the fact that this is an all-new model, with newer tech under the hood, that’s improved value for you. Other figures that see reduction in the new Polo GTI include engine capacity and fuel consumption.
The predecessor’s 1.8-litre motor has now made way for the award-winning 1.4-litre twincharged engine that, in this iteration, is tuned to produce 178hp @ 6,200rpm and 250Nm @ 2,000 – 4,500rpm, both figures significantly upped from its predecessor model. Quoted fuel consumption on the EU cycle, meanwhile, has been slashed from its predecessor’s 7.9 l/100km to 5.9 l/100km.
So, the sums are adding up very convincingly for the new model. Compared to its predecessor, the new boy makes more power, more torque, and costs you less not only in purchase price, but also fuel costs and road tax as well. The salesperson will definitely not forget to mention that there is now a 7-speed DSG in place of the good old manual transmission that was previously used.
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| 7-speed DSG |
It’s all well and good to fill the brochures with fantastic numbers, but if you want to genuinely capture the enthusiasts’ market, the various pieces will have to gel together in harmony. For a car wearing a GTI badge, how it feels as it goes is at least as important a question as how fast can it go. To answer that question, VGM allowed members of the Malaysian media a few laps each behind the Polo GTI’s wheel around the Sepang International Circuit.
It was another one of those events that had more writers than cars, so there was naturally the need to take our turns. There were a couple of Scirocco 1.4 TSI test cars available as well for us to kill time, and for the purpose of reacquainting myself with the track and setting up a basis for comparison, I hopped onboard one and took it for a spin; which turned out to be a bit of a mistake on my part.
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| We had the chance to try the Scirocco 1.4 TSI too. Well, that changed perceptions a little. |
Being used to the Scirocco’s decent table manners made the Polo GTI’s less polished nature a little unsettling at first. On a straight line, the Polo GTI is noticeably faster, but the Scirocco’s wider track, and not to mention all-independent suspension, allowed us to carry greater speed into the corners. It was also more forgiving, but one can also argue that the Polo GTI is more fun as a result. Its tail can get a little waggy if you provoke it. All you need is a slight tap on the brakes mid-corner to induce the rear to step out, although correcting that proved simple and fuss free, if you know how to back off.
After our time around the circuit, VGM also allowed us a quick spin around the roads encircling the SIC’s compound to feel the car’s behaviour in actual road conditions. Ride quality is very firm, but there is enough pliancy to ensure that it remains more comfortable than say, a Civic Type R, or any one of Nissan’s Impul offerings.
Our quick dance with the Polo GTI suggests that it is a pretty fun car, with slight rough edges that make its appeal for the enthusiasts and break its appeal to the masses. Either way, however, in terms of sheer power, fun plus legendary badge for money, you can’t get much better than a Polo GTI.
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