In the Indian context, there can never really be a performance car in the mass-market hatchback segment. I know that petrol-heads out there must be shaking their heads and saying why not, but this oxymoron-ish combination of performance and efficiency in the affordable hatch segment is a difficult balance to achieve given the volume pressures that car makers face.

Often, cars that are pitched as performance hatches are found to be disappointingly underpowered, because the pussyfooting manufacturers were simultaneously trying to maximise fuel-efficiency. A classic example of this mix-up was the Chevrolet SRV, an expensive hot hatch built out of the Optra, but which delivered neither healthy performance nor satisfying fuel-efficiency.

It is a tough call for manufacturers, and one that will continue to be influenced by local, Indian buyer preferences and not by international trends. So, when Volkswagen decided to bring GT versions of the Polo and the Vento, earlier this year, it had to pepper its GTs similarly with a bit of the local preferences. Thankfully, the VWs are not as disappointingly mixed-up as some of the other performance hatches were.

The inevitability of spending an overwhelming amount of time behind the wheel while driving in city traffic, means that…er…there is the inevitability of keeping a mindful eye on mileage in slow-speed conditions. So, VWs Indian GTs aren’t exactly like the GTs that you would find in Europe. But they are still a decent effort at trying to offer what is best described as a ‘desi’ hot hatch.

Differentiators Possibly, that is also the reason for VW going sombre with the features that distinguish the GTs from the regular variants. My test mule a couple of weeks ago was the Polo GT TDI and the only distinguishing features on the outside of the car were the GT badges on the bonnet grille in the front and the same badge on the tail-gate at the rear. There is no carbon-fibre trim anywhere and there are no blazing red Brembo brakes peeping out of the 15-inch Estrada alloy wheels.

The Polo GT TDI’s interior is ‘similarly similar’ to the cabin of the regular Polo’s Highline trim variant. There is no special GT badging anywhere to be seen. The Polo GT TDI’s interior has been pretty much completely borrowed from the regular Polo’s Highline trim variant. The only minor differentiators are the drilled, polished aluminium pedals; the leather bound steering wheel and the slightly different gear-shift knob.

There is no reason to complain, though, since the quality of the Polo’s interior has always been fantastic. Very precise dashboard layout with a very European appeal, class-leading material quality (especially plastics), sharp, clean cut knobs and controls, and a chunky steering wheel are all likeable features of the Polo’s interiors. The fabric seats in the GT TDI are also very comfy and offer firm support, perfect for long distance driving. The driver can also hope to get the best position in the Polo GT TDI thanks to the addition of seat height adjustment, and the steering being adjustable for reach and rake.

Performance The Polo GT TDI is equipped with the same 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, TDI diesel engine that has been offered with the Vento sedan. The 1,598cc engine is also set to the same state of tune as in the Vento. Producing an identical peak power of 105 PS at 4,400 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm between 1,500 to 2,500 rpm, the engine feels a tad quicker in the Polo GT TDI than in the Vento, possibly due to the lower weight (64 kg lighter).

With 105 PS of power on tap, which is delivered in a linear fashion, the engine can be worked with easily even in the most demanding conditions. The best part is though the numbers indicate that peak torque is achieved at 4,400 rpm, the taper off is not too sudden and there is enough to coax out of the engine till about 5,000 rpm where the redline starts.

Torque delivery is just a tad bit delayed from the slightly slow spooling up of the turbocharger, but once the needle crosses the 1,250 rpm mark, there is enough torque to exploit. Considering the fact that the engine idles at 800 rpm, the delay is not too much. Gear ratios are set just right for spirited driving.

The gearbox itself is the 5-speed manual transmission also carried forward from the Vento TDI. The Vento TSI and the Polo GT TSI petrol variants get the 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, but the diesels don’t get the auto transmission. The manual gearbox in the Polo GT TDI is nothing to complain about if you are the kind that likes to be fully in control. The only issue will be the slightly firm clutch (compared to Hyundais and Marutis) that may be irksome in very slow traffic of the kinds that we are seeing in pretty much every Indian metro these days.

The ride quality in the Polo GT TDI is identical to the regular Polo’s because there is no change in the suspension set up. The Polo’s straight-line stability and pot-hole soaking abilities are the stuff of legend now and that continues to hold true for the GT TDI too. The car, however, still has a bit of body roll and so is not the most comfortable, if you were to take on corners at speed. Also, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) that is offered in the Polo GT TSI petrol is not part of the equipment in the GT TDI.

Bottomline The Polo GT TDI is offered only in one trim level; no reason to complain given the nature of the buyer for a car in the hot hatch segment, where expectations are high. The car is adequately equipped and is also said to be capable of offering a mileage of 19.78 kmpl (ARAI rated).

Priced at just above the Rs 8 lakh mark (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Polo GT TDI is competing with many other feature-rich hatches and quite a few sedans too. It is clearly meant for petrol-heads with a taste for diesel.

muralidhar.s@thehindu.co.in

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