PoloDriver

Another day, another Polo GTI group test. The recently-introduced Volkswagen UK press fleet Polo GTIs really are seeing a lot of action at the moment. Following the recent evo magazine hot hatch group test, the new issue of the UK’s Auto Express pits the latest Polo GTI against rivals from Citroën and Škoda. In our opinion, the £19,410 178bhp Polo GTI certainly looks the part when compared to the £16,300 DS3 DSport and £16,260 Fabia vRS, but which car gives the best hot hatchback-like driving experience? While the DS3 DSport is down on power by 30bhp when compared to the Polo and its in-house rival Fabia – which use the same 1.4-litre TSI engine – does it put its typically French driving characteristics to good use? Buy a copy of Auto Express Issue 1151 to find out.

[Image: Auto Express/Otis Clay]

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The new issue of evo magazine sees the new Citroën DS3 Racing square up to its rivals, one of them being the new Polo GTI. Over roads in South Wales, ex-Autocar hack Chris Harris and the team tests the hot Polo (for the first time in right-hand drive on UK roads) against the 204bhp DS3-R, the 208bhp Mini Cooper S, the 198bhp Renaultsport Clio and the 189bhp Vauxhall Corsa VXR. Surprisingly, the 1390cc TSI-engined Polo scampers to 62mph faster than its four rivals and sits towards the lower end of the price range, too, at £19,410 for the five-door tested here. The main criticisms? As with other recent tests (revised online Autocar first drive here), the DSG-only option comes in for some flak, as does the GTI’s more refined nature. Which car is victorious? Watch the video (unfortunately we couldn’t embed it), and read the full group test in issue 154 of evo, out tomorrow, 2 February.

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2010 was the first full year of production for the fifth-generation (6R) of the Volkswagen Polo and one where the model became a truly global car, with local production in India and Russia. It also won more major awards than in 2009, and made its international debut in motorsport, with the inaugural season of the Volkswagen Polo Cup India. We look back at both the major Polo 6R developments and happenings over the last year, and also chronicle the main news stories pertaining to the Polo Vivo, the South African entry-level replacement for the CitiGolf. (Bold entries are illustrated by the picture above that particular month.)

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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.

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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.

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