Sarmad Kadiri recalls the pleasant experiences that he shared with the VW Polo 1.2-litre TDI
as he bids it farewell
It’s been ten months now that the Polo has been with us as a long-term car. From being a reliable city commuter to a highway caper, the hatchback went about doing its task joyfully without any complaints. Seeing the gleaming red Polo in the flesh for the first time was nothing short of a romantic movie scene. The clean front design with sleek headlights and a sharp jaw is something that makes one fall in love instantaneously. The designers have kept the styling simple and it is effective because the car will age gracefully. The beautifully crafted interiors and the quality of material used has raised the benchmark in the small-car segment.
It became the most popular car in our garage, with its efficient 1.2-litre TDI engine which returned around 17km per litre of diesel. Anyone who had to attend a press conference in Mumbai or head for a travelogue to Chennai, borrowed the VW and I had to literally fight to get the Polo keys back. Its linear torque is really addictive and I do not blame them for not parting with the keys easily. What left a lasting impression on the team members is the sturdy car’s handling and ride quality. But there are some issues as well. The music system doesn’t have a USB/AUX port and the CD player is also choosy about the song’s format. We also wish that the car ran on better rubber. I can’t think of any other problems besides these minor ones. To be honest after driving it for over 21,000 km I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the good memories it leaves behind.
