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Volkswagen Polo GTI 1.8-litre 6spd manual 5dr review: Speed, sportiness and style

Volkswagen Polo GTI 1.8 litre 6spd manual 5dr
The new Polo GTI has 1.8-litre 192 ps turbo engine on board. It is virtually as fast as the current 220 ps Golf GTI.

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7 July 2015

Volkswagen Polo GTI 1.8-litre 6spd manual 5dr

What is it?

Start with the latest shape Volkswagen Polo. Add speed, sportiness and considered helping of style and you arrive at this appealing top of the range Polo GTI.

The car that defined the modern sports hatch, the VW Golf GTI, has long been one of the sporting greats. Less well known is that, of late, the Polo GTI can offer much of the same goodness in a smaller package, at a less elevated price point.

Case in point, this latest fourth generation Polo GTI with 1.8-litre 192 ps turbo engine on board. It’s a clear step up on the previous generation Polo GTI (1.4-litre, 180 ps) yet virtually as fast as the current 220 ps Golf GTI.

Choose between three and five doors, 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission with this quick, new gen Polo GTI. As tested, Wolfsburg’s wonder (5dr, 6-speed manual) comes with a P11D value of £19,345, brisk 0-62 mph time of 6.7 secs and 139 g/km for C02 emissions.

So some way up on the normal Polo in quite a few departments. And as a viable business car in today’s UK market? Let’s find out….

What’s hot?

  • It’s the new Polo, given a subtle yet effective top end sporting boost.
  • As solid, refined, high quality as the standard Polo yet elevating dynamically to a new level for speed and consistency.
  • Visual changes, highlighted by GTI radiator grille, 17-inch Parabolica alloys, new bumpers, twin exhausts, discreetly ramp up the show.
  • Inside, ‘Clark’ cloth seats with black bolsters hark back to the original, iconic Golf GTI of 1976.
  • Strong, smooth, easily accessible power delivery from the latest 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine which has 12 ps more than the previous Polo GTI.
  • Car is quick, composed and a lot of fun on the road, yet also highly civilised. As easy to drive and unfussed as any normal Polo.
  • Crisp, incisive handling is another new Polo GTI hallmark. There’s lowered sports suspension as standard and for a reasonable £245, there’s VW’s Sport Performance Pack (as fitted to our test car). Press ‘Sport’ to sharpen steering, throttle response and, yes, raise engine noise inside the car.
  • Compact 5-door practicality and space on a par with every other new Polo

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