PoloDriver

First Europe, then the UK, Australia and Singapore. Now the next launch pad for the Polo GTI (6R) is South Africa. Building demand and teasing prospective buyers is this Ogilvy Cape Town-produced ‘Coming Soon’ 40-second preview film, which shows scant details about the car itself. With a nod to the ‘light’ campaign which heralded the fifth-generation Polo’s arrival in 2009, this clip directs would-be GTI drivers to the preview website – http://www.datedrive.co.za/ – where they can submit their details to Volkswagen South Africa in order to learn more about the car. Eager South African hot Polo fans can also catch up with the drip-feed information by following an active and dedicated Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/DateDrive. Facebook users can also share the video with their friends.

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At last, a positive verdict! Sorry, we had to give away the the result of this new Internet film, as for once, it was a thumbs up one. And what is said Internet film? UK motoring television show Fifth Gear tests the latest Polo GTI in its latest Web TV episode, and over a three-minute video, ‘Graham from the office’ takes the tiny tearaway to the roads of Wales to see if it has the legs on its in-house competition, the Škoda Fabia vRS and the SEAT Ibiza Cupra. Graham seems to genuinely like the performance Polo, and while he (and we) know it would lose a handling punch-up with a Renaultsport Clio 200, it’s pleasing to confirm that some of the new Polo GTI’s ‘softer’ qualities are, in the majority, benefits that the Clio doesn’t offer. Watch the film above to see Graham’s quick, but full verdict.

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The firecracking GTI version of the fifth-generation Polo has been let loose on South African streets. The same as European and Australian versions, the latest performance Polo is powered by a 178bhp, 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged (‘twincharger’ in Volkswagen speak) engine, and scrabbles to 62mph in 6.9 seconds. Standard equipment includes a twin-clutch DSG gearbox with steering wheel paddles, 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels and a styling pack borrowed from the Golf GTI. Optional kit includes a panoramic sunroof (now sadly deleted from the UK options list). Prices of the four-door new Polo GTI start at R259,000. For more information, visit the Volkswagen South Africa website. The full Volkswagen South Africa press release and photo gallery follows.

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While most of the people prefer the best food photographers toronto to get their project done. Anthony Ket, a photographer based in Melbourne, Australia, took these stunning sunset shots of his wife Shara’s new 2011 Polo GTI. He takes up the story of how a hotshot Polo ended up on the Ket driveway: ‘Shara has never actually owned a new car before, having always borrowed her parents car for 12 years! One night she was flipping through my many car magazines and noticed the specs on the VW Polo GTI, and instantly said, “I want this car.” 1.4-litres, twincharged, 132kw, five doors, DSG and more importantly, a base price of AUS$28,990! The hardest part was finding one, as in Australia at the moment supply is so limited that there is a 8-12 month waiting list for a vehicle to be produced and then delivered! (It’s exactly the same quotes elsewhere, especially in the UK, Anthony – PD.)

‘This wasn’t good news as Shara needed a new car quite urgently, and we were given the runaround with many Volkswagen dealers listing a Polo GTI for sale but after having contacted them and being told that they only had one demonstrator and none actually for sale, we were bitterly disappointed. Luckily, after trawling through the many fake online car adverts, we found our Flash Red Polo GTI located three hours drive away. We called the dealer, made sure it was definitely for sale and then took off the next morning on a six-hour return trip to secure the purchase. Next you know we have a shiny new VW Polo GTI siting in the driveway!’. And now you’ve got a fantastic set of pictures to go with it, Anthony.

[Images: Anthony Ket – www.anthonyket.com]

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UK specialist VW title Volkswagen Driver puts the 2011 Polo GTI through its paces in its latest issue. The first time the performance Polo has been thoroughly tested by the VW press, Volkswagen Driver was more than a little impressed. Editor Neil Birkitt sent us a head-up email in January and said of the test, ‘The latest Polo GTI combines twincharged technology and 7-speed DSG gearbox to produce superb performance and excellent economy, combined with sharp handling, comfort and everyday practicality.’ Praising the 178bhp 1.4 TSI GTI, Birkitt continued, ‘We doubt that even the best of drivers could put much distance between the Polo GTi and the larger Golf GTI on a race track, let alone an open road… The Polo GTI is all the car you could want, and more.’ The March 2011 issue of Volkswagen Driver is on sale now and also includes a first driver of the new Series 6 Jetta for Europe, motorsport reports, and a model profile on the Series 5 Jetta.

[Images: Volkswagen Driver/Neil Birkitt]

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