Handling
We started driving the GT TDI on a damp morning, when even the sun was still busy shining maybe somewhere above Bangladesh. On cold tyres and a damp piece of tarmac, we started pushing the car and although the rear would step out only slightly, the car held its line amazingly well. Once daylight started settling in, the atmosphere was still cloudy, but our minds were clear that it’s rather difficult to get in trouble with this car or to tie its chassis in knots – the GT TDI is that good. The GT TDI understeers, but it isn’t scary, as the handling is predictable in a good way and the Apollo Alnac rubber does a good job of acting as the wingman for the chassis and there’s plenty of grip available at all times.
The steering is relatively light and doesn’t have the old-worldly feel or weight of the hydraulic steering units, which we have to come to terms with, as manufacturers have given in to the demands of the urban car buying population. However, it is a precise unit and will point the car exactly in the direction it is told to. In comparison to the GT TSI though, the TDI still feels slightly front heavy and like its petrol sibling, should have been equipped with ESP.
The suspension is carried over from the standard Polo and it offers a blend of both worlds. Neither is it overtly stiff or too soft and finds the perfect balance to give a car a mature ride quality. Out on the open road, you start appreciating the suspension setup, as even around fast bends, body roll is minimal and the car corners flat. The GT TDI displays immense poise and will make even a lesser driver feel comfortable going faster, right from the word go. Around a specially laid out slalom course on an air-strip, the GT TDI held its line and never did once lose composure. As we carved our way through the cones, the brilliant chassis and suspension combination came into play, where gunning the throttle, braking hard, turning in, and then lifting off to shift the weight started to turn into such an addictive affair, we ended up going through the same course over and over again.
It’s a well manufactured very powerful and comfortable car but it’s service chain it’s spoiled by corrupt dealers. That’s why you have to bear the triple maintenance cost.
No-1 hatch back car in india is Polo GT and next one is honda jazz 2015 both are same price and same features. What about ALL-to?