Top Gear Magazine UK Hot Hatch Mega Test

[Buller_Scott]

thanks for posting the article.

shame that the polo gti gets a pretty dismal review... i was hoping it would step up to the plate. it might have, if it had the 6 speed dsg, or even better, a manual 'box.

[Treza360]

Yep that's what definitely killed off the Polo GTI for in my choices for a new car. Not this article but the DSG only thing.

[Buller_Scott]

Yep that's what definitely killed off the Polo GTI for in my choices for a new car. Not this article but the DSG only thing.

yeah, i hear you.

tbh, im ALL FOR tiny engines with forced induction, e.g. the 1.2L turbo polo tsi, and i thought the polo gti with the 1.4 twincharger would be a segment-killer/ revolutioniser. but then they had to go and make the ''no-manual'' decision, which is shooting themselves in the foot IMO.

i WAS sorta in the market for a second car within the next 12-18 months, but the 1.4L engine's problems as in the TSI golf, coupled with people's DSG issues, and the ''risk taking'' involved with even just a simple stage 1 remap BECAUSE of the delicacy of the 7 speed DSG 'box..... not seeming like a wise choice when i put it like that.

i'd be better off putting the money into a bigger turbo for my pog tdi, and getting an lsd and clutch.....

[sabloke]

Is the 1.4 TSI, or any superturbocharged engine, available with a manual box? I think VW simply wouldn't trust you to change gears... Then think how many of these engines were tested in say WRC... Not many, if any The only things small and complex that I trust come from Switzerland, not Germany.
Look, TG never said the Polo GTI is a bad car, but rather that is not a driver's car. Since it is nothing more than a lesser Golf GTI, why not pay a bit more and get the real deal?

[shakespeare]

Is the 1.4 TSI, or any superturbocharged engine, available with a manual box? I think VW simply wouldn't trust you to change gears... Then think how many of these engines were tested in say WRC... Not many, if any The only things small and complex that I trust come from Switzerland, not Germany.
Look, TG never said the Polo GTI is a bad car, but rather that is not a driver's car. Since it is nothing more than a lesser Golf GTI, why not pay a bit more and get the real deal?

Golf Mk VI 118TSI in 6 spd Man, Jetta MK V 118TSI in 6 spd Man and the old Mk V Golf GT were Manual. Haven't heard any problems with these (anyone...) My guess is simplicity of model availability to try and control inventory/cost as why the Polo GTI is DSG only

[cameronp]

My guess is simplicity of model availability to try and control inventory/cost as why the Polo GTI is DSG only

Apparently it's because a manual gearbox won't physically fit in the Polo with the 1.4 TSI engine. Offering a performance car without a manual option still seems a bit weird to me, though - lots of enthusiasts (including TopGear) have a strong dislike for DSGs, and for all of the rational advantages, they do make for a less involving drive.

I also totally agree with TopGear's assessment that the 7DSG sucks for normal driving in manual mode. Seven speeds is just too many to keep track of by hand.

[sabloke]

There's one question I would like to ask about the Scirocco R and the GTI: since the Roc R is not much more than a GTI with different engine tune and a funkier shape, would a GTI with Stage I or II be any better at getting power to tarmac or better balanced? If it is, why?