PoloDriver

The chaps at Auto Express have tested the latest Polo GTI against its in-house rivals the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and the Škoda Fabia vRS (finally with a Volkswagen UK press office car). All powered by the same 1.4-litre, 178bhp supercharged and turbocharged TSI engine, small chassis tweaks on all separate them from each other. As does price. The Polo is predictably the most expensive of the trio at £18,275, the SEAT’s cheaper at £17,188, while the Škoda is a bargain basement £15,700. All three look different too, with the Ibiza the most extrovert of the trio, with the Škoda’s trademark bright green paint job (sadly not present here) aimed at younger drivers. The Polo is arguably aimed at an older and more sophisticated audience with its restrained and traditional GTI detailing. Which hot tot wins? Watch the Auto Express video above to find out.

We think we might have uncovered the reason why some prospective owners of the latest version of the Polo GTI in the UK might be experiencing delivery delays. The car has just gone on sale in right-hand drive Australia, too, most probably adding pressure to delivery estimates. Like the Brits, they like their hatches hot (or at least moderately piping) down under, and the first reviews that have come in from the Australian motoring journos certainly make for encouraging reading. The car was launched to power-hungry Polo enthusiasts at the Australian International Motor Show 2010 in Sydney.

Available from $27,790 for the three-door model and $28,990 for the five-door, Drive states that: ‘The levels of grip demonstrated by the GTI through some of the tightest bends in the country was remarkable. It felt tied down and level at speed through snaking bends, and easily liveable on more open stretches of road. The steering is well-weighted, offers plenty of feedback, and is quick and responsive.’ Carsguide was equally enthusiastic: ‘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,’ its tester commented.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, the latest version of the Polo GTI uses a 1.4-litre engine with both a supercharger and a turbocharger to boost power to 178bhp (132kW) and torque to 250Nm – all from a car weighing 1189kg. The 0-62mph (0-100km/h) dash is dispensed with in 6.9 seconds and standard equipment includes 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels, honeycomb grille, rear spoiler, twin exhausts, front fog lights and a seven-speed DSG gearbox (no manual option is available). Polo GTI deliveries have finally started in the UK, with the first owners receiving their cars, while some Volkswagen retailers have demonstration models in stock. Australian Polo GTI fans can find out more here.

German tuning company H&R has released a lowered suspension kit for the new 6R, fifth-generation Polo GTI. With a lowering height of 20 millimetres at the front of the car and 30mm at the rear, H&R says that ‘the sporty characteristics of the small car are improved.’ Additional lowering heights from the adjustable H&R Monotube coilover kits can be set at 30mm at the front of the car with a 45-millimetre drop at the rear. Optional H&R stabilisers (for use with the kit) will be available soon.

TRAK+ wheel spacers made of high tensile aluminum alloy can also be specified, regardless of whether they are combined with OE or aftermarket wheels, immediately removing the often unsightly gap between the wheel arch and tyre shoulder. The complete H&R product range – available for over 1350 different vehicles – can be found at specialist dealers and along with the usual H&R quality, components come with a model approval certificate or a TÜV certificate of conformity for parts.

With the advent of the new 1.4 TFSI Polo GTI, UK VW magazine Volkswagen Driver is looking for owners of 9N3 Polo GTI (2006-2010) owners  to give short opinions on ownership for a forthcoming model profile. In production for four years, the 9N3 GTI had a 1.8-litre, turbocharged engine, good for 148bhp, 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of 134mph. Only eclipsed by the continental market-only 9N3-based Polo GTI Cup Edition with 178bhp, the outgoing GTI was the most powerful series production Polo at the time. Interested 9N3 Polo GTI owners should email Volkswagen Driver editor Neil Birkitt as soon as possible.

As the new Polo GTI seems to be flavour of the month around these parts (and as it’s Friday), we’ve found a trio of videos featuring the new small car performance wonder. Our favourite has to be the – German language – onTrack circuit film around the 2.7km LUK test track in Baden Baden, Germany. The first time we’ve seen the new baby GTI driven around and through chicanes with anger, the tester describes it as classless and fun, and although it might be slower than a Mini Cooper Works (but faster than a Honda Civic Type R), he asks if lap times matter that much if you’re enjoying the drive? The second video is from Japan, and is largely useful for visual shots, with some on-road action thrown in. The third clip is a lap of the Nordschleife at full pelt, viewed from the passenger seat of the new 178bhp 1.4 TSI-powered GTI. Volkswagen’s Flash Red German-registered press Polo ‘WOB-NP 123’ must be one of the hardest-working cars in the business…