FULL IMAGE GALLERY OF VW POLO GTI
THE FIRST POLO GTI was a disappointment. It wasn’t great to look at, and even worse to drive. The steering was lifeless, the manual transmission quite coarse and the old 1.8-litre turbo from the Golf 4 GTI had only 110kW and 220Nm of torque to play with. It was thoroughly thumped in a Topcar hot hatch shootout in 2007, coming last in a class that included the Mini Cooper S, Renault Clio RS, Peugeot 207 GTI and the Ford Fiesta ST. Fast forward four years and there’s a new Polo GTI in the Topcar parking lot. Has Volkswagen managed to get it right, and more importantly do justice to the illustrious GTI badge second time around?
Exterior
The new Polo is a conservative design, aimed at the minds of the +30’s climbing the corporate ladder. Turning those flat sides and geometric designs into a sporty package that needs to stir the soul as well was always going to be a challenge. All the GTI design differentiators are employed, from the ‘love them or hate them’ 17-inch Denver alloys with the red brake callipers to the honeycomb air inlets in the front apron, two red trim strips on the radiator grille and the rear spoiler in body colour. The two chrome tailpipes and the GTI badge at the back reinforce the fact that this is the hot Polo. From the front the Polo could easily be mistaken for its bigger Golf GTI brother, but the excitement wanes as one moves around to the boxier rear. Competitors like the Renault Clio RS, Mini Cooper S, Alfa Mito and especially the Citroën DS3 are visually more appealing.
Interior
The Polo launches a massive return fight as soon as you open the door and get in. Few other small cars can match its interior quality. The standard sports seats are a good blend of Alcantara and leather trim that hug hips in a pleasantly reassuring way. The quality plastics and soft-touch surfaces are appropriately dark with brushed chrome surrounding the air vents and chrome accents on the control knobs. A flat-bottomed GTI-style multifunction steering wheel completes the package. It all feels very upmarket in here. The list of kit included as standard after you’ve handed your R259 000 to Volkswagen is appropriately extensive and includes things like aluminium-look pedals, electric windows all round, electrically adjusted and heated side mirrors and ‘Climatic’ aircon. You’ll have to pay more if you want a panoramic sunroof, rear park distance control or curtain airbags – the only options available for the Polo GTI. There is an Aux-in port to connect your MP3 devices, but unfortunately no USB connector. Irritating.
Performance
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Volkswagen Polo GTI full review | topCar magazine online
I was able to find good advice from your blog articles.
Volkswagen Polo GTI full review | topCar magazine online
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I'm not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Polo GTI is a HOT HATCH
I'm 46 and have my Polo GTI for 6 months now and can only say this.
Negative:
Confused side mirrors.
No darkened rear view mirror at night.
No sun protector on top part of windshield.
Not as good looking rear as other Hot Hatches.
Positive:
Great car for everyday driving.
Good overall fuel consumption.
Not using Golf GTI mags.
DSG gearbox.
Love sitting next to Golf 6 GTI, Focus ST, Type R, MPS and drop the Corsa OPC and old Renault F1.
Love the expression on the faces when they found out that it's only a 1.4.
I can't wait for the Polo R that is on the cards.
Johan Swart
What car is British`s most
What car is British`s most comprehensive and reliable consumer-focused vehicle testing and awards program. This year best car of the world go to: Best city car: Fiat 500
Best small car: Ford fiesta
Best small family car: Ford Focus III
Best large family car: Toyota Avensis
Best mid MPV: Citroen C4Picasso
Best large MPV: Ford S Max
Best Sports car: Porsche 911
Best small convertible: Mazda MX5
Best large convertible: Maserati GT Spyder
Best 4x4: Toyota Landcruiser
Best luxury car: Rolls Royce Ghost
Best small hot hatch: Alfa Mito 170Q.V.
Best mid hot fast car: Bmw M1 Coupé
Where did you find this?
The last time I looked the British Whatcar.com website had the Audi A1 as its 2011 car of the year. Please supply a link to your info.
THE UGLIEST OF 2011
THE UGLIEST CARS OF 2011 ELECTED BY 4 WORLD MAGAZINES INCLUDING U.S. FORBES:
AUDI TT
AUDI Q7
BMW X6
BMW SERIE 6
BMW SERIE 5 GT
CHEVROLET SPARK
CITROEN C3 PICASSO
DAIHATSU MATERIA
DAIHATSU MOVE/MOVE IN
DACIA SANDERO
KIA SOUL
MERCEDES CLASS A & B
MERCEDES CLASS R
MERCEDES CLS
MINI COUPÉ
MINI CLUBMAN
MITSUBISHI I - MIEV
NISSAN CUBE
PORSCHE PANAMERA
RENAULT TWINGO
SEAT ALTEA
SKODA ROOMSTER
SMART FORTWO
SSANGYONG RODIUS
SSANGYONG ACTYON
TATA INDICA
VW UP
VW BEETLE
VW JETTA
VW TOURAN
Ya right. I doubt that you
Ya right. I doubt that you can supply a direct link to any of these magazines that will prove your claim. How about this direct link? http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_reviews/australias_best_cars/au... there you will find the best cars in each category according to the Australian consumers:
The best cars available to Australians in 2011 are as follows:
Best light car under $20 000 (R166 000): Kia Rio
Best light car over $20 000: VW Polo
Best small car under $35 000: VW Golf
Best small car over $35 000: Lexus CT200H
Best medium car under $50 000: VW Jetta
Best medium car over $50 000: Mercedes Benz C250
Best large car under $60 000: Ford Falcon
Best large car over $60 000: Audi A6
Best sports car under $80 000: BMW 135i Coupe
Best sports car over $80 000: Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Coupe
Best SUV under $40 000: VW Tiguan
Best SUV over $40 000 Kia Sorento
Best luxury SUV over $60 000: VW Touareg
Best all terrain 4wd: Land Rover Discovery 4
Best people mover: Hyundai iMax (known here as the H1)
Wishing you great festive season and a prosperous 2012 Miguel
Not for me
IT´S A PEACE OF CRAP!
Unfounded comment
Learn to spell correctly u knob, PIECE is the correct spelling. and your statement is unfounded. You cant just make a statement like that and not back it up. You probably drive a Chery, so your life is sad and miserable. Dont take your frustrations out here just coz you cant afford the Polo GTI.
polo gti
I think this polo gti is awesome. I currently drive the 06 polo gti with some simple cheap mods and it still scares me. I am not sure if I agree with the author re the lifeless steering but each to his own. I look forward to getting the new gti.
Gti
after testing both cars; I bought a Renault Clio RS, simply because it makes me feel more alive. That is the reason you buy cars like this. Not for leather seats, not for automatic bonnet lifters, not for no engine noise in the cabin, simply because you like the way it makes you feel!
Still Waiting
I have ordered my Polo Gti in August this year, still waiting, its set to arrive anytime. I cannot wait, from the reviews and the few iv seen up close, its going to be one cool car.
DanSan, you´re ugly and bad,
DanSan, you´re ugly and bad, monhé and a stupid...
Tell you: The VW prepotency and arrogance stinks as you, and will come to and end sooner or later!
I rest my case.
Ah as soon as you run out of valid arguments you start to throw personal insults. Any person with some knowlede of human nature will agree that this is typical reaction of somebody that has lost an argument and has nothing more of value to ad.
As long as you spread your lies I will be your stinking bad person concience that bombard you with FACTS and discredit you. If you concede that you made these because of ignorance and stick to the truth in the future I will let it go and may even agree with a few of your comments.
Apes. 1 - TOYOTA 2 - GENERAL
Apes.
1 - TOYOTA
2 - GENERAL MOTORS
3 - FORD
4 - RENAULT/NISSAN
5 - VW
APES!!!!!!
You lie you bugger you lie.
VW overtook Ford in 2008:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-overtakes-ford-as-3rd-largest-automaker.h...
"In the first half of 2008, Germany’s Volkswagen over took Ford as the world’s third largest carmaker in terms of vehicle sales. VW’s sales to dealers rose 7.2 percent to 3.31 million vehicles, whereas Ford’s sales were at 3.22 million.
Ford’s figures also include about 125,000 Land Rover and Jaguar sales up until those two automakers were sold to Tata Motors in early June."
Still ahead of Ford and Renault/Nissan, VW sells more cars than even GM, it is only the commercial vehicles and trucks keeping them in 2nd. Ford moved down to 6th behind Hyundai/Kia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry
Current standings is
1.Toyota, 2. GM, 3. VW, 4, Nissan/Renault (if you wish to combine) 5. Hyundai and 6 Ford
These FACTS I gave you about a moth ago. You were unable to disprove them yet you keen on spewing poison. VW is not my god. I will now drive my Mazda to work.
Cars for apes!
For God sake, this kind of cars are only for apes!!
Apes indeed
Language Roy, language. Your grammar sucks as well
Apes?
And yet worldwide they sell more cars than every maker exept Toyota and GM. Apes indeed. This is such a typical response of somebody that argues without facts to support his claims. A quick search on Wikipedia will prove my point.
uuummm
The car cost R260k but doesnt have :
Leather seats
Sunroof
climate control
a bonnet lifter
enough sound deadening - too much engine noise.
decent wipers.
FAIL
Extra's
When you list "Electric Windows all round" as a mentionable feature on a plus 200k car....there is something wrong. Im sure that options list is as long as it is pricey...
Good car otherwise, just needs more kit.
Polo Gti owner
I notice a lot of people have a lot of negative things to say about this Polo Gti.
I bought this car 3 weeks ago and I absolutely love it!!
The styling is great (although I personally dont like the Denver rims), the interior in my opinion is 1 up on the Golf 6 Gti, the 132kw power figure doesn't really do justice to this car as I've given a 147kw Golf Gti a hiding already. The best part of it is that its a 1.4 so the technology is generations ahead if u look at the power this pocket rocket produces from such a small engine and my fuel efficiency beats most normally aspirated 1.6s that I know.
Disadvantages are:
I've driven Audi's, BMW's, all Golf's, Ford and I have to say this is the first time that I'm so impressed with the total package.
polp gti
It's a fast car, however the design is unimaginative especially for something carrying the hothatch nameplate! I would rather spend my money on something that visually defines itself as a hothatch than on this polo which blends in with the background
Why such a small engine?
Why a 1.4L and not a 2liter with both a Supercharger and a Turbo. I have learned my lesson with buying small capacity engines. I will never drive anything lower than a 2 liter ever again. Besides this car is not really build for guys. More of a girly car. Golf might not be as good but Id still have one of those over this. I got to think of my image first.
Really??
Nothing much to say about the most boring hot hatch on the road... Didnt think VW can make a Hot Hatch more boring than the G6 GTI, but again, prooved me wrong! Good Job VW!! Can someone point them to the real hot hatch enginers: Focus RS, RS250 and OPC... Having said that, the Roc R is pretty good. Stop calling these GTI's hot hatches and leave that to your R line cars...
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