Volkswagen Polo GTI DSG…An appealing combination of poise, panache and pace

The optional virtual instrument display along with steering wheel controls

I have to make an admission that I have something of a soft spot for the VW Polo as my daughter owned Mk 3 (in Zimbabwe) and Mk 5 examples (in SA), and that my son‘s partner has a high mileage Mk 3 job in the UK that has defied some 17 winters sitting outside, and still it soldiers on. It’s collected me from Heathrow more than once and every time I’ve travelled in it, the solid feel of the construction, epitomised by hefty door structures in particular, has remained engrained in my mind.

All this waffle may seem a tad irrelevant, but it’s mentioned because I’ve just spent an enthralling day driving the new generation Polo in GTI guise. This newcomer has retained all the traditional Polo virtues of solidity and big car feel but now with a large dash of added brio. Some observers will tell you that the Polo is too sensible to be fun to drive but those critics, if that’s the right terminology, will need to revise their opinions now that the latest iteration of the compact hatch has arrived with 2.0 litre GTI power.

Built at VW’s Uitenhage plant, the Polo GTI is the beneficiary of meticulous assembly standards evident in the wonderfully tight and even panel gaps, in the deep gloss of the paintwork and in the complete absence of any interior trim squeaks and rattles. The moniker “Made in Germany” telegraphs all sorts of positive attributes but let me tell you that “Made in Uitenhage” is a match in every respect. The giant strides made in locally assembly are hugely pleasing and commendable.

Rear spoiler, diffuser, LED lamps and twin pipes are GTI features

So what differentiates the GTI iteration of SA’s massively popular hatchback? The answer, as you might expect, is to be found in subtle GTI styling touches that have made those three letters instantly if subtly recognisable across the globe. First off, that iconic red stripe straddling the honeycomb grille is in-situ along with a unique bumper design and (regrettably) fog lamps, albeit with cornering lighting.

Heading backwards, a black two-piece roof spoiler competes with twin tail pipes, sexy LED lamps and a high-gloss black diffuser. And of course, the GTI is lowered a tad and offered with standard 17-inch Milton Keynes alloys or optional 18-inch Brescia jobs, both finished in a combination of gloss black and polished silver. Matt black sill extensions complete the picture along with a choice of traditional GTI paint colours among which are Pure White, Black Pearl, Flash Red and Reef Blue metallic. The last two look simply gorgeous but it’s the Pure White coating that shows off the otherwise subtle GTI styling bits to best effect. Critics might just suggest that the GTI visual effect is just a tad too subtle but for older campaigners like me, there’s no need to flout your model choice too loudly.

Inside, the GTI takes a leaf out of the “regular Polo book” by offering a choice of colour inlays, specifically in red or grey but black, offset by lots of chrome detailing, is the dominant interior colour theme which should please 101 out of 100 South Africans. For now, a very attractive Art Velour material swathes the seats – a sports design up front – but VW expects leather supplies to come on stream from the fourth quarter of 2018.

Re-shaped bumper, front air intakes and red striping show this Polo is a GTI

The overall feel inside is a tad clinical but is certainly lifted by the shiny/colourful bits and by lots of red stitching. Soft-surfacing is actually hard to find but VW does such a brilliant job of disguising the hard, plastic bits that the ambience still reeks of quality, especially by the standards of the class. What does more than anything though, to lift this GTI well ahead of the competition is the optional Active Info Display presented within a 10.25-inch screen. The clarity of the display, which can be accessed with three different layouts, is stunning with black, white and red elements dominating. The “red trail” left by the rev counter and speedo pointers is an especially eye-pleasing feature which also has practical virtues in that it precisely pinpoints the exact position of the pointers on the virtual dials.

Standard In the GTI is the 8-inch Composition Media infotainment unit with CD player and auxiliary connectivity but for me, the Discover Media unit that incorporates sat nav is a worthwhile option at just more than R12 000, a considerable drop on what was demanded a few years back.

Standard equipment levels are verging on generous by VW’s past standards and aside from what has already been mentioned, owners benefit from multi-function info displays, electric windows, air con, floor mats, air bags everywhere, post-collision braking assist, central locking, height adjustable driver’s seat and more.

In terms of the options list, which I suggest you analyse more deeply on www.vw.co.za , the goodies on offer rival what you might expect in much bigger offerings and include a huge panoramic sun roof, Advanced Safety Package and a Driver Select System which for the record also incorporates a coasting function accessible in Eco mode.

Now for the even more important bit – what lurks under the bonnet? Happily, it’s the familiar and thoroughly proven EA888 turbo-four tuned to provide a hefty dollop of mid-range torque rather than frenzied top-end power that is rarely accessible.  If a peak power output of 147kW (delivered from a mere 4 400 rpm) and a torque peak of 320Nm accessible from just 1 500 rpm sounds familiar, think back to the Golf 5 GTI and that tells you precisely how much propulsion is offered.

Classy interior execution shows special sports seats and optional instrument displays

Cosying up to this proven power plant is the latest iteration of VW’s simply magical 6-speed DSG dual clutch auto with paddle shifters and sport mode, and this box in turn is mated to a trick XDS differential lock that works wonders in controlling front end scrabble that can afflict FWD cars in enthusiastic cornering.  Sport suspension is standard and can be tuned at a cost of little more than R5 000 if the aforementioned Sport Select variable driving profile option is selected.  Not only can damper rates be adjusted, steering engine and gearbox characteristics can be tweaked to suit the driver’s mood.

Out on the road, it’s soon evident that VW has ensured a GTI-style exhaust note is there to massage the ears. A pleasant but not intrusive bass tone makes itself hear under load, but this fades into obscurity on the cruise when excellent suppression of mechanical and wind-induced disturbances is a standout feature. On 18-inch wheels, coarse tar can set up a mildly intrusive roar but to be frank, the difference between the 17 and 18-inch offerings is marginal.

As for get-up-and-go, the Polo GTI is all about accessible performance. Sure, if the throttle is mashed from a standstill, it powers away with gusto to despatch the 0-100 run in a conservatively-estimated 6.7s and goes on to just under 240 km/h but it’s the incremental grunt that is so impressive.  Even at 2 000rpm, there is instant, lag-free thrust on tap which makes for a most pleasant driving experience as the delivery is just so, so relaxed. In a nutshell, this car feels as though it has big lungs and those lungs will be just as effective at high altitude. Lots off steep ascents were tackled on the launch and the Polo devoured even the most daunting climbs with aplomb.

It also devoured a multitude of corners with surprising equanimity. Don’t let anyone tell you that VW lags in terms of chassis tuning or in providing decent feedback from the underpinnings. This MQB-based device offers beautifully-weighted steering that’s endowed with a good dose of feedback and in conjunction with the XDS diff and sports dampers, it corners as if on rails and stays true to a chosen line even under provocation and in instances where camber changes are encountered.

Sure, it’s not everyday that motorists will want to corner with such enthusiasm but even in a straight line, the Polo offers exceptional directional stability allied to a big-car feel and pleasing comfort levels notable for a well-judged degree of firmness underpinned by just enough pliancy to take the harshness out of road surfaces.

It should by now be apparent that the Polo GTI gets virtually everything right but its ace in the pack is the fact that this new model is cheaper in South Africa than the model it replaces, thanks primarily to the tax benefits of local assembly.  Base price is R375 900 and while this may rise to around R420 000 with a few of the more desirable options on board, it still represents a most compelling proposition as all the practical Polo virtues are now massaged with a good dose of accessible go. The eighth generation Golf GTI had better be really exceptional when it makes its expected appearance in 2019 or it could just be upstaged by its smaller sibling!

(Please note all details above refer to SA market models.  CFAO Volkswagen are the official VW importers for Zimbabwe and should be approached for details of model availability in Zimbabwe. Sadly, history and the current circumstances suggest the Polo GTI will not be on the menu for now in Zimbabwe.)