Volkswagen have launched the new Polo GT TSi, their performance model within the Polo hatchback line-up.
The new GT steps in to provide a more practical, yet fun alternative to the short-lived 1.6. Fret not, because it brings in a four-cylinder engine, which is turbocharged for good measure and a hefty spread of torque all across the rev-range.
The Polo GT rekindles the dying ‘hot hatch’ flame in the India market; one dominated by diesel hatches with 200+ Nm of torque outputs. Of course, the price disparity between petrol and diesel, coupled with the inherent efficiency of small turbo-diesel engines has led to this. While there are many petrolheads, few would buy a petrol hot hatchback for the sheer fun of it. The Polo GT TSi will address the needs of this select bunch.
Under the bonnet is a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection petrol motor making 105 PS at a relatively low 5,000 rpm and 175 Nm of peak torque, available across a wide 2,600 rpm band, all the way between 1,500 and 4,100 rpm. For a small hatchback weighing just 1,140 kg, those numbers are plenty. For those expecting a stick shift, this may come as bad news, but those who think a twin-clutch auto box is cool, this is a real kicker. Volkswagen offer their seven-speed DirectShift Gearbox (DSG) as standard. The DSG, for the uninitiated, uses two shafts: one for even gears and one for odd; so the next gear, up or down, is just milliseconds away, leading to seamless power delivery and kick-in-the-pants acceleration. Something rarely seen in affordable automatic car models in India so far.
The car looks deceptively similar to its smaller-engined siblings, save for the ‘GT’ badging on the front grille and the rear hatch. It rides on 185/60 R15 tyres, which is a slightly lower profile than the Highline variants. It also manages 0-100 km/h in 11.34 seconds! Definitely not short on excitement, then. Oh, and it’s priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Look out for the Polo GT TSi first drive impressions and road test in our May issue.
