We Got our First Polo GTI in today...

[pologti18t]

I have a current Polo GTI and drove the new GTI on a great test drive route last week.

My observations.

1. The engine in the old GTI seems smoother and quieter than the new 1.4TSI. And my car has the APR upgrade. This is to be expected as the old 1.8L Turbo was initially developed for high end VW/Audi use.
The new engine is more frenetic if that makes sense. It would probably get smoother as it is run in. There is no doubt this car is quick in standard form. Much stronger than the standard 1.8L 110kw engine. I didn't find it lacking in comparison with my APR'd car (155kw/330Nm). It would be interesting to try the 150kw APR 1.4TSI upgrade in the Polo Gti.

2. Ride: The new model definitely has a firmer ride and sharper handling than the old model. I find my Polo is fairly sloppy in its handling. The ride is acceptable on the highway but quickly deteriorates if the car is loaded or the road gets lumpy. This suggests a lack of rebound damping and some unwanted sloppiness in the bushes. The new car seems alot more planted on the road and has less lean in the corners. There was a hint of harshness in the way it handled potholes etc. There was definitely an improvement in the torque steer and getting the power down in the new car compared with the old one.

3. Interior: This is what will win the punters over. It is a dramatic improvement over the old model. It feels far more intimate than the old model. The move to a darker grey colour scheme is also an big improvement just as it was on the Golf GTI MK5 -> MK6. I was disappointed in the depth of the boot. It seems there is a lot of underfloor space taken up with a foam moulding to accomodate the "flat" 17 inch tyre if you need to change it.

[triode12]

I have a current Polo GTI and drove the new GTI on a great test drive route last week.

My observations.

1. The engine in the old GTI seems smoother and quieter than the new 1.4TSI. And my car has the APR upgrade. This is to be expected as the old 1.8L Turbo was initially developed for high end VW/Audi use.
The new engine is more frenetic if that makes sense. It would probably get smoother as it is run in. There is no doubt this car is quick in standard form. Much stronger than the standard 1.8L 110kw engine. I didn't find it lacking in comparison with my APR'd car (155kw/330Nm). It would be interesting to try the 150kw APR 1.4TSI upgrade in the Polo Gti.

2. Ride: The new model definitely has a firmer ride and sharper handling than the old model. I find my Polo is fairly sloppy in its handling. The ride is acceptable on the highway but quickly deteriorates if the car is loaded or the road gets lumpy. This suggests a lack of rebound damping and some unwanted sloppiness in the bushes. The new car seems alot more planted on the road and has less lean in the corners. There was a hint of harshness in the way it handled potholes etc. There was definitely an improvement in the torque steer and getting the power down in the new car compared with the old one.

3. Interior: This is what will win the punters over. It is a dramatic improvement over the old model. It feels far more intimate than the old model. The move to a darker grey colour scheme is also an big improvement just as it was on the Golf GTI MK5 -> MK6. I was disappointed in the depth of the boot. It seems there is a lot of underfloor space taken up with a foam moulding to accomodate the "flat" 17 inch tyre if you need to change it.

I have tried an APR'd 1.4 TSI GT and compared to my stock GT, I couldn't detect much of a difference except for a slight increase in torque in the midrange - the difference wasn't night and day. Of course, the Polo GTI tune might be different again - I'd do a trial to see if it was worth it before handing over the cash.

[Greg Roles]

Have to say this new Polo is the first MK6 to have me seriously considering an upgrade. I love the new GTI and GTD, but it's not different "enough" from what I already have, yet here is the twincharged engine that initially got me interested in VW in the first place in a nice light pocket rocket.

I'd LOVE to tinker with one!!

[pologti18t]

This months (just out) Motor Magazine has a test of the Clio 200 vs DS3 vs Polo GTI.

[walbjj]

Can u recall what the verdict was?

[pologti18t]

Can u recall what the verdict was?

Well, from what I can determine from the review, the Polo won.

Clio a bit too extreme for day to day use
DS3 great allrounder but a tad soggy at the limit.
Polo in between those two. Boring styling, but huge $$$ advantage.

They didn't get any drag times due to wet track
They did some wakefield laps... though track was getting greasey byt the time the Polo got on it. The Polo scored the longest laptime but the speed of the Polo at the end of the main straight was higher (after a lower exit speed onto the straight) than the CLio 200. This would indicate the Polo has a serious turn of straightline speed.

[Kane-St-Kane]

Before I 'signed on the dotted line' for the Polo GTI I looked at/drove the DS3....

It has sex appeal and goes alright.... but in 2-3 years time it'll just be another French crapper worth 1/4 of what was paid.
I don't really care the the Renault styling but I know it is a great car.

[break]

Yeah, Clio 200 Vs Polo GTI is a no brainer.... the polo is MUCH cheaper and more of a multi-tool than the Clio.

If it was my money, I'd get the Polo too. However, if it was free... i'd get the Clio in a heartbeat.

[madsumberohat]

I was disappointed in the depth of the boot. It seems there is a lot of underfloor space taken up with a foam moulding to accomodate the "flat" 17 inch tyre if you need to change it.

You will find this is due to the battery being in the boot neatly tucked under the wheel as the 1.4 left no room for it in the engine bay.
Made me sad cause i like the false floor idea you get with 77 TSI which makes me lean to the 77 TSI some what till i drive the GTI. also fiull size wheel is a bonus

[G-rig]

How bout some photos or something?