Volkswagen Polo GTI 2015 Review

Introduced locally in 2010, the Polo GTI has now been facelifted with not only a new look, but a more powerful 1.8-litre turbocharged engine, the choice of manual or dual-clutch transmissions for the first time and a range of new technology items aimed at making the sporty hatch feel even more premium. Priced from $27,490 (plus on-road costs), the Polo GTI challenges the likes of Ford's Fiesta ST, Renault's Clio RS 200 and the Peugeot 208 GTi as one of the best-value hot hatches going.

Red lines contrasting a black honeycomb grille, tartan cloth on sporty bucket seats and a performance-tuned engine and chassis shoved neatly into an itty-bitty five-door package.

Yes, it's a GTI. But, it's not a Golf.

This is Volkswagen's smaller performance hatch offering, the Polo GTI; freshly revised for 2015 and priced to please from under $27,500 — $500 less than before thanks to the availability of a manual transmission for the first time (well, in the current fifth iteration at least).

Volkswagen has ditched the twin-charged 1.4-litre engine of the previous Polo GTI in favour of a cleaner, larger and more powerful 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder. The new engine is derived from the 2.0-litre 'EA888' unit — as found in myriad Volkswagen models, as well as the Skoda Octavia and any number of Audis — while the chassis shares its origins with the Audi A1 and Seat's Ibiza.

It's that kind of flexibility and technology sharing that endows the Polo GTI with a best-of-both-worlds personality. It's proven and quite advanced on one front, yet brimming with dynamism and performance on the other.

There's more tech this time, too. Included are an optional driver fatigue detection system and optional LED headlights. The Golf GTI-sourced torque vectoring XDL front differential is carried over while this time round the Polo GTI is also offered with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Manual drivers afforded more torque to the tune of 320Nm over 1450-4200rpm (DSG variants offer 250Nm over 1250-5300rpm).

The latter figure is unchanged from the previous DSG-only model, but power for both the manual and self-shifter has jumped to 141kW (up 9kW). Owing to what VW says are "technical differences in the design parameters of the gearboxes" manual models deliver peak power over 4300-6200rpm, while auto variants come on-song over 5400-6200rpm.

Volkswagen says that in spite of a modest increase in weight (up 58kg to 1242kg) — and the obvious difference in torque values — that the model is capable of hitting 100km/h in 6.7 seconds with either transmission, making both models two-tenths quicker than the old DSG (6.9 sec).

V-Max is rated at 235km/h while fuel consumption is 6.1L/100km for the manual (which emits 142g/km of CO2) and 5.7L/100km for the auto (132g/km of CO2). On the launch route, we used 6.7L/100km in both the manual and DSG alike.

It's lowered strut (front) and torsion beam (rear) suspension — which is slightly retuned for the new driveline — means the Polo GTI is especially tenacious in corners, with grippy 215/40-series rubber now wrapped around wider (by half an inch to 7.5) new-look 17-inch 'Parabolica' alloy wheels (with a space-saver spare); though Australian models do not receive the adaptive dampers offered in selected European markets.

The range-topping Polo GTI is stopped by four-wheel discs measuring 310mm up front and 230mm at the rear, all gripped by meaty red-painted callipers. Steering is courtesy of an electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion set-up.

The tiller is a chunky, leather-bound number with a flat bottom and paddle shifters (on DSG models), while aluminium pedals continue the sporty interior theme. The centre stack is now adorned with VW's Composition Media 6.5-inch touch-screen as standard, as well as an alarm, cruise and climate control, auto headlights and wipers, and tyre-pressure monitoring.

Two new option packages extend the equipment list with a Luxury Package adding LED headlights and DRLs, Alcantara and Leatherette upholstery and an electric glass roof ($3300), and the Driver Assistance Package bringing a Discover Media system with sat-nav and reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors and Driver Fatigue Detection ($1700). Metallic paint attracts a $500 surcharge.

Polo GTI models receive a five-star ANCAP and Euro NCAP safety rating and include six airbags, stability (with Sport mode) and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist.

Like many in the segment, the Polo GTI does not include autonomous braking, blind-spot assistance or lane-keeping assistance. It does, however, now add VW’s Multi-Collision Brake system which recognises when the vehicle has been involved in a collision and applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle being pushed into further danger.

Polo models are offered with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with service intervals set annually or at 15,000km (whichever comes first). Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, while capped-price servicing is offered for six years or 90,000km. The first service is priced at $385.00.

Taking to the picturesque roads of Sydney’s Blue Mountains, the Polo GTI proved unchallenged by the softly winding roads and near-smooth surfaces. The suspension worked in an unflustered manner, feeling neither stiff nor terribly stressed.

There was a little road noise present on coarser-chip surfaces and wind noise is comparable to others in the segment (I spent the night prior in our long-term Clio RS). The steering feels natural and progressive as it loads through corners, and points sharply enough to aim the Polo GTI eagerly at sharper bends.

We found the new engine linear in its delivery and quite rorty when loaded up. It’s that deeper exhaust note that many rivals in this category lack, and one that in combination with a quick ‘blip’ of the DSG, or a neat (self) rev-matched downshift in the manual, is rather devilish and encourages you to step up the pace.

Unfortunately the school holiday traffic and countless roadworks experienced on our drive route means exploring any real pace will need wait for a seven-day test.

We can say with some confidence, though, that the manual transmission is a crisp little number that, although no faster to 100km/h, does seem to offer more gusto during roll-on acceleration, and is flexible enough that torque seems nearly endlessly accessible — just leave it in gear and give it some gas.

The DSG is flexible, fluid and decisive, and well polished when rolling around town. Wake it up and use the paddles and it becomes a quick-acting partner in crime, efficiently managing the engine’s available torque to good effect.

Of course the hottest Polo remains a practical five-door hatch – like the $2000-dearer, auto-only Clio RS (from $29,490), but unlike the three-door manual-only Fiesta ST (which is $1500 cheaper at $25,990) and Peugeot 208 GTi, which cost $2500 more (from $29,990).

It’s roomy enough for four grown-ups, too, and with a cargo area that's expandable from 204 to 882 litres, is adequately spacious for those chasing a usable weekday ride.

Build quality is second-to-none in this segment. The surfaces all join together neatly and, impressively, there were no rattles or squeaks to be heard from around the cabin, even on lumpier bits of bitumen.

The most powerful Polo in the model’s 40-year history is a refined and enjoyable experience with few foibles to speak of, and is one we can’t wait to sample in earnest in a few weeks.

2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI manual pricing and specifications:
Price: $27,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 141kW/320Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 142g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI auto pricing and specifications:
Price: $29,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 141kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Ford Fiesta ST (from $25,990 plus ORCs)
>> Peugeot 208 GTi (from $29,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Clio RS 200 (from $29,490 plus ORCs)