The performance figures might showcase the
GT TDI as a crazy little car, but, surprisingly, the power and torque delivery
is quite linear. There is no sudden surge of torque; instead it comes in a very
civilized manner. There is virtually no turbo-lag and you can fully exploit the
250 Nm of torque from as low as 1,500 revolutions per minute.
Step
inside and the spacious, high quality interior of the Polo GT TDI still
impresses
It’s not just about top-end performance;
the Polo GT TDI can also perform well in tough and demanding conditions such as
chaotic Indian traffic. The torque is so beautifully spread across the rev
range that you are never left waiting for it to come through. In fact, I was
driving the Polo in the third and fourth gears for most of the time while
negotiating the Pune traffic. You can also get going from standstill in the
second gear. This may sound surprising, but it is the excellent bottom and
mid-range power delivery that allows one to do so. Besides, you get an
excellent fuel efficiency of 16.5 km/l in the city and 22km/l on the highway.
If I were in any other car than a VW, I would be working the gearbox thoroughly
which would have hampered my fuel efficiency.
The
centre console gets piano black finishing and the GT TDI gets climate control
and RCD 320 audio system
Driving the Polo GT TDI is very different
from any other diesel hatch that I have driven so far. The liveliness of the GT
is addictive, and I couldn’t really get enough of it. At high speed it remains
planted like a rock and feels very sure-footed. In corner, it goes like a fast,
agile, sharp and precise athlete. The steering is highly communicative and the
suspension set-up perfect. Body-roll is virtually non-existent. I took it
through a series of corners just to see how it behaved and it surprised me by
going through a chicane faster than I would in any other hatch. I imagined the
line, turned in and, voilà, before I knew it, the Polo GT TDI had glided
through the chicane with extreme finesse.
The
cabin has decent space at the front but rear seat space is below average,
specially with taller passengers at the front
Safety-wise, there is absolutely nothing I
can complain about. The GT TDI has got the usual safety aids such as ABS and
air-bags as standard. Besides, its solid build quality, rigid monocoque and
European standard construction make the Polo feel like a tank. You can have fun
in the GT TDI without worrying about safety as it is the safest hatchback in
India under $16,650.
I have said this in the past and I am
saying it again, the Polo is an excellent handling car and the ride quality is
probably the best in it segment. It is priced at $15,720 (OTR, Pune),
admittedly a mite steep for a hatchback, but blame the Indian excise rule for
it. Anyway, with features like that and no competition in sight, it is your best
bet when it comes to enjoying a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient, solid and
performance-oriented diesel hatch.
