VW Polo

VW Polo GT 1.6 TDI Review: The Raunchy Reveler!

VW Polo 1.6 GT TDI exterior and interior images (13)

Words: Amit Chhangani

Images: Amit Chhangani and Yatharth Chauhan

After having driven all sorts of exciting machines in my career as a motoring journo, I’ll have to say, I’m a minimalist. I prefer hatchback to sedans, everyday cars to exotics and understated sophistication to flash. I’ve had various favorite hatchbacks over the years. I absolutely loved the previous generation Swift 1.3 DDiS Swift which I had for more than a year as my ride. The communicative steering wheel (they’ve killed it on the new one), the light yet balanced body and the shitty, grip-less 165 section JK Tyre Tornados helped me feel like one Ken Block around twisties. I took the car to a 1200 km roundtrip to Konkan (the deserted coastal heaven) once. When I set off, the wheels were more akin to a lanky lad with Afro hair. By the time I came back they were fit to have been fielded for the position of the President of the Baldies’ Association of India.

VW Polo 1.6 GT TDI exterior and interior images (15)

I loved the Fabia 1.4 diesel for its fuel efficiency, its vice like grip and poise on the road. I loved it for the space it offered and its sunroof, and I loathed its initial lack of grunt. To sum it up, I have driven a multitude of production hatchbacks in India, quite a few of which I have been impressed with, but none of them have been able to blow my mind away completely.

VW Polo 1.6 GT TDI exterior and interior images (18)

Until I drove the car in question here, that is. The Polo 1.6 TDI – the single most exciting and engaging mainstream production hatchback I have driven in this part of the world. Having always been a sucker for torquey diesel machines which make going fast in the real world a hassle-free affair, the Polo 1.6 TDI absolutely floored me. This review, thus, is more a mark of respect to the explosive hatchback than a technical drilldown.

Any discussion on the Polo 1.6 GT, especially in our world of visibly fit, but in point of fact asthmatic cars has to revolve around its engine, the fountainhead of all its stimulating vigor and zest. It’s a demon with an angelic smile. It’s got the mischief of Loki with the power and sensibilities of Thor. The 1.6 liter turbo diesel in question here is a polar opposite of its smaller 1.2 sibling, powering the regulation Polo cars.

VW Polo 1.6 GT TDI exterior and interior images (9)

Unlike its little brother who loves to get playful, makes a lot of noise and cannot resist itself from touching that redline every now and then, this one’s got substance where it matters the most. This one’s more linear with much less turbo lag and enough sub 2000 rpm punch to let you surge ahead without having to touch the shifter stick. While the 1.2 wants you to hold it by its collar and throttle it before it goes to work, this one performs at your faintest command.

Let’s talk about the yummy specs first. The big TDI diesel which also powers the Vento and Rapid in India has a peak power output rating of 105bhp at 4400 rpm. More importantly, it produces the class topping, 250 Nm of torque at a low 1500 rpm. Now, with 1156kg of kerb weight the GT TDI is about 10 kg heavier than its 1.2 TDI (Highline) propelled sibling, but that doesn’t matter when you have about 30bhp of extra power and 70Nm of additional torque.

VW Polo 1.6 GT TDI exterior and interior images (27)

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