PoloDriver

We think we might have uncovered the reason why some prospective owners of the latest version of the Polo GTI in the UK might be experiencing delivery delays. The car has just gone on sale in right-hand drive Australia, too, most probably adding pressure to delivery estimates. Like the Brits, they like their hatches hot (or at least moderately piping) down under, and the first reviews that have come in from the Australian motoring journos certainly make for encouraging reading. The car was launched to power-hungry Polo enthusiasts at the Australian International Motor Show 2010 in Sydney.

Available from $27,790 for the three-door model and $28,990 for the five-door, Drive states that: ‘The levels of grip demonstrated by the GTI through some of the tightest bends in the country was remarkable. It felt tied down and level at speed through snaking bends, and easily liveable on more open stretches of road. The steering is well-weighted, offers plenty of feedback, and is quick and responsive.’ Carsguide was equally enthusiastic: ‘The handling is exquisite – one of the reasons the Polo won COTY – and tied down even more in the GTI that sits 15mm lower and rides on wider, lower profile rubber,’ its tester commented.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, the latest version of the Polo GTI uses a 1.4-litre engine with both a supercharger and a turbocharger to boost power to 178bhp (132kW) and torque to 250Nm – all from a car weighing 1189kg. The 0-62mph (0-100km/h) dash is dispensed with in 6.9 seconds and standard equipment includes 17-inch ‘Denver’ alloy wheels, honeycomb grille, rear spoiler, twin exhausts, front fog lights and a seven-speed DSG gearbox (no manual option is available). Polo GTI deliveries have finally started in the UK, with the first owners receiving their cars, while some Volkswagen retailers have demonstration models in stock. Australian Polo GTI fans can find out more here.

Australian car website Drive have crowned the fifth-generation Polo their Car of the Year 2010. Also winning the Best City Car award, the Polo beat off competition from the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 and Nissan Micra to take the tiddler title. Interior quality, an array of safety features, competent road manners and punchy turbocharged 1.2-litre 104bhp TSI engine, the judges from Drive agreed that, ‘In terms of being a city car, it sets so many benchmarks. The Polo is the first in this class to bring in six airbags, and it sets a standard the other city car competitors have to beat on both engine and gearbox,’ adding, ‘It’s in another land for refinement. It feels like a small car, not a city car.’

A best overall fuel consumption figure was only one of the values that made the Polo win the coveted Car of the Year 2010 title, though, the judging panel citing the ‘fun factor’ of the latest model and the way that, ‘the tiny Volkswagen Polo delivers so many rewards for enthusiastic drivers looking to reduce their carbon footprints.’ The newly-developed turbocharged engine was a major asset when the judges were considering their verdicts. Beating category winners from 14 other segments, the Polo and its larger stablemate the Golf fought for top honours, with the Polo securing leading votes from nine of the judges, who, according to Drive, ‘thought it shifted the goalposts of its class more than the Golf did – and for less of a premium over its competitors.’ Full coverage here.

In a similar prize, Carsguide has also awarded the Polo the ‘2010 Carsguide Car of the Year’, title, establishing itself as the benchmark in the light car class. It’s the second consectutive year Volkswagen have taken the award; last year’s winner was the Golf. Carsguide Managing Editor, Ged Bulmer, said the latest Polo was another example of the company delivering an extremely well-equipped and well-engineered small car at an affordable price. ‘Many of the attributes of the popular Volkswagen Golf have trickled down into the Polo, with the result that it looks like a scaled down version of that winning combination.’ Judging panel member Paul Pottinger said: ‘The Polo scored a convincing win, not because of its $16,690 starting price but because of its impressive safety, quality, comfort and driving enjoyment. The Golf’s little brother is the world’s best small car.’

It’s Polos to the double in the latest issue of Volkswagen Driver magazine. The latest version of the eco-minded Polo BlueMotion 1.2 TDI is put through its paces in a 6-page road test, while the 4-page model profile centres on the 2006-2010 1.8T-powered Polo GTI 9N3 (0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, top speed of 134mph). The GTI profile also features information on the Polo GTI Cup Edition, which boasted 178bhp – 30 up on the standard car – and was only available in European markets.The December 2010 issue of Volkswagen Driver magazine is on sale now or can be ordered via the Autometrix Publications website.

Over in India, The Autocar Show has pitted the new Volkswagen Vento (Polo saloon to you and me) against the similar-sized Honda City. Both use names from their makers’ pasts, and both compete for a slice of the junior/mid-size sedan market. Broadcast every weekend on Bloomberg UTV, The Autocar Show is a brand extension of Autocar India magazine and reports on motoring stories for the Indian market. Fitted with 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol and diesel engines and available in Trendline and Highline trims, the cheapest Volkswagen Vento starts at Rs 6.99 lakhs. What do the Indian road testers think of the new Polo-based notchback? Click on the video link above to find out.

With the advent of the new 1.4 TFSI Polo GTI, UK VW magazine Volkswagen Driver is looking for owners of 9N3 Polo GTI (2006-2010) owners  to give short opinions on ownership for a forthcoming model profile. In production for four years, the 9N3 GTI had a 1.8-litre, turbocharged engine, good for 148bhp, 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of 134mph. Only eclipsed by the continental market-only 9N3-based Polo GTI Cup Edition with 178bhp, the outgoing GTI was the most powerful series production Polo at the time. Interested 9N3 Polo GTI owners should email Volkswagen Driver editor Neil Birkitt as soon as possible.