Twins benefit – Better looks, more features

A couple of months ago, Volkswagen gave its hot hatch – the Polo – a mid-generation facelift. Coinciding with the introduction of the new 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine, VW also managed to give the Polo subtle exterior changes that have gone on to improve the car’s European looks.

Both the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned. There are also the black finished dual halogen headlamps and new fog lamps with cornering lamps. As was the case with the face-lifted regular Polo, the GT variants also get the new tail-lamps and the chrome bits that have been tastefully added at all the right places.

Now it is the turn of the GTs. The GT TSI and the GT TDI however, get some unique additions. The GT badge is the most visible on the bonnet grille, on the hatch door and the stickering on the rear-side body panel. The other visible differences in exterior design between these variants and the regular Polo are the deep black door mirror treatment and the similarly finished rear spoiler.

The GT badge is an identity meant to point towards the buyer’s membership to the special global GT club and to the promise of an elevated ownership experience. But, in the Indian ‘Price-Value’ context and given the Polo’s position in the hierarchy of VW models, the two GTs here have to fit into a more restrained mould. So, visually there isn’t anything else to distinguish the GTs on the outside.

There is a bit more in the cabin for the GTs. The most obvious change from the regular Polo is the colour theme, which is a uniform black throughout the dashboard and door panels. The two GTs also get door step garnishes, leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheels with controls for the infotainment system and an aluminium pedal cluster.

The Polo GT cabin has all the other changes that the regular Polo had also been put through. The interior now has an even more premium feel to it and the all black theme in the GTs make it more European. Automatic airconditioning, ambient lights and new premium fabric upholstery are all standard in both the GTs.

Like we had observed in the regular Polo review too, the Polo GTs also offer the most optimised driving posture. In fact, the cabin itself is very driver-focused, with the steering controls, centre stack controls etc., positioned in the right spots. The seats offer great support, even dynamic support while cornering hard. But in the GTs too, space at the rear is not best in class.

The new 4-cylinder, 1.5-litre TDI engine is really the mill that we wanted to try out first. Based on the earlier 1.6-litre TDI engine, that didn’t allow VW to get any duty benefits, this slightly smaller 1,498cc TDI engine has been tuned to be worthy of the GT badge. The 1.5L TDI engine in the GT delivers 105PS of peak power, about 15PS more than the regular Polo, at about the same rpm level. Torque is also a bit more at 250Nm available from 1,500 rpm. Combined, the higher power and torque help the engine deliver much more on the road. We test drove the Polo GTs in the winding, empty roads of Amby Valley and put it through acceleration tests and slaloms on the airstrip.

The GT TDI is torquey and powers up quickly, though you are reminded that turbolag will play its part till the engine revs up to about 1,800 rpm. Power and torque delivery is very linear after this point and gear ratios also work in its favour. The short throw manual gearshift is just perfect to slot and the chunky shift knob fits nicely in the hand. On the airstrip, like on the windy roads too, the GT TDI accelerates quicker thanks to the higher pulling power.

But, the GT TSI with its 1.2-litre petrol engine is not at all bad in comparison. This GT twin runs on petrol and delivers the exact same amount of power as the TDI, despite its engine being 301cc smaller. It also manages to offer 175Nm of peak torque and makes it available from a low 1,500rpm through a larger band all the way to 4,100rpm. This engine is mated to the now famous 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. This quick and highly responsive twin-clutch gearbox would have been a good addition even in the GT TDI.

Rated fuel efficiency of the Polo GT TDI is 19.91 kmpl and that of the GT TSI is 17.21 kmpl. The electronic power steering in the GTs is expectedly light in city driving conditions, but stiffens up at highway speeds and there is a respectable amount of feel and precision. Engine noise levels and vibration has been well contained and the cabin remains fairly quiet and isolated.

The Polo GTs suspension is the same essential set up as the regular Polo. It has the right balance between being plaint and firm. Straight line stability and handling while cornering has always been best in class with the Polo and that continues to be so in the GTs, though a bit of body roll is evident.

GTs are a great way of experiencing the thrill of owning a special, souped-up version of a regular road car. There is a charm to the badge, but whether you should put down your cash for one depends on what your expectations are and what is the price you will be willing to pay.

VW has actually brought down the price differential and both the GTs are now priced at ₹7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). One must remember here that you get quite a bit of safety equipment too, including two airbags, Hill-hold control, electronic stability (ESP) and ant-lock brakes.

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