March 2011 issue of Volkswagen Driver puts the Polo GTI through its paces
UK specialist VW title Volkswagen Driver puts the 2011 Polo GTI through its paces in its latest issue. The first time the performance Polo has been thoroughly tested by the VW press, Volkswagen Driver was more than a little impressed. Editor Neil Birkitt sent us a head-up email in January and said of the test, ‘The latest Polo GTI combines twincharged technology and 7-speed DSG gearbox to produce superb performance and excellent economy, combined with sharp handling, comfort and everyday practicality.’ Praising the 178bhp 1.4 TSI GTI, Birkitt continued, ‘We doubt that even the best of drivers could put much distance between the Polo GTi and the larger Golf GTI on a race track, let alone an open road… The Polo GTI is all the car you could want, and more.’ The March 2011 issue of Volkswagen Driver is on sale now and also includes a first driver of the new Series 6 Jetta for Europe, motorsport reports, and a model profile on the Series 5 Jetta.
[Images: Volkswagen Driver/Neil Birkitt]
It was a very good write up in the magazine, I guess it was bound to be far more praiseworthy in a magazine dedicated to VWs, rather than the somewhat indifferent report from Auto Express a couple of weeks ago.
They certainly emphasised how good its fuel consumption was given its performance credentials. Interestingly, since we got ours, the average consumption of the first 3 tankfuls has been 41, 39 and 37.7 mpg respectively. I would have expected it to improve as the engine loosens but I think this can be explained by a lot more town driving on the 2nd/3rd tanks. The first tankful was getting used to it on reasonable runs, have just put some super U/L in the tank (as recommended by VW Driver BTW) and I would hope there may be a small improvement.
Apart from that – enjoying the car a lot. 🙂