Late last year we tested the facelifted Volkswagen Polo. Resplendent in metallic purple paint, with a modestly powerful petrol engine and a manual gearbox, it is the sort of car people might be clamouring to buy as the end of the decade and ban on new petrol and diesel cars looms. People who either for logistical reasons can’t have an EV – or simply don’t want one (put me into both categories).
This week we have the new GTI version of the Polo, which taking into account the above paragraph, should also receive tumultuous applause from this seat. Here’s the recipe: a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 204bhp and gives a performance of 0-62mph in 6.5seconds and a top speed of 149mph. That’s very much on a par with close rivals the Ford Fiesta ST and Hyundai i20N. So far so good.
The not so good news is that unlike those two pocket rockets, the Polo GTI is only available with a DSG automatic gearbox.
Presumably Volkswagen has done its research and phoned up a bunch of likely customers who said they don’t want a clutch pedal and gear lever.
Renault probably did the same when it launched the last Clio RS without the option of a manual gearbox. Unfortunately for Renault, hardcore enthusiasts who loved its thrilling and effective past efforts were distinctly unimpressed.
That car marked the end of Renault’s long history of producing small hatchbacks that were brilliant to drive. Meanwhile, several other car companies have stepped in to fly the flag.
The GTI version of the Polo is very understated: no blown-out wheel arches or outrageous spoilers and splitters. However, there are enough traditional GTI design cues to let people know that you haven’t bought the shopping Polo.
Red detailing around the front grille, fog lights hiding behind the mesh, twin exhaust tailpipes that are real and not fakes, and bespoke alloy wheels behind which are red brake calipers.
While not quite a ‘Q’ car, it is pleasantly subtle.
Inside there are tartan seats but without any GTI embroidered badges or any flashiness, though you do get some GTI badges and extra red details elsewhere. Polo GTI is the discreet hot hatch, after all.
The steering wheel is from the Golf GTI which means it’s got annoying haptic buttons all over it. It could be worse, as although the Polo has touch-sensitive heating controls it doesn’t have the same poor infotainment system as the Golf.
You even get to turn the volume down on the excellent Beats audio system with a knob.
Volkswagen has lowered the GTI’s ride height by 15mm compared to the regular Polo and has strengthened the rear suspension mounts and fitted stronger front suspension components. That’s further than it’s gone before on Polo GTIs.
As noted earlier, the car has similar performance to its rivals from Ford and Hyundai, but there is a distinct lack of drama and spirit. You can select a sport mode in the Polo but it doesn’t transform the car into a spitting and popping tearaway which is what happens when you change modes in Hyundai’s i20N.
That said, there are likely to be many people who want an understated hot hatch that does the numbers but doesn’t make its owner feel like a hoodlum. And many customers who are too loyal to Volkswagen and the GTI brand to shop elsewhere.
At £27,805 the Polo is similarly priced to the Fiesta ST and i20N.
The Volkswagen Group used to offer its own alternatives with hot versions of the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza but neither of these cars are available with hot hatch credentials or hardware.
The Polo GTI is a well rounded, strong performer but if I was in the market for a hot hatchback I’d want something with a lot more pizzazz and sense of occasion.
I found that purple manual Polo with its modest 93bhp engine almost as fun to drive.
The facts
Volkswagen Polo GTI five-door hatchback
Price: £27,805
Engine: 2.0-litre three-cylinder, 204bhp
0-62mph: 6.5sec
Fuel consumption: 42.0mpg
Co2: 155g/km
