Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

154 |AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

H

OT hatches are growing up.
Not only are they getting
bigger, they’re becoming more
refi ned. The 2019 VW Polo GTI
is as big as a 10-year-old Golf
and shares much of the latest
tech with its bigger brother. The
price has risen accordingly, now
starting from $31,990.
VW has installed the decade-
old 2.0-litre turbopetrol from
previous Golf GTI models, at a
time when rivals are switching to
smaller engines. The numbers
— 147kW of power and 320Nm
of torque — are a lot of mumbo
for a small car. However, the
claimed 0-100km/h time is the
same as the previous model —
6.7 seconds — because the new
GTi’s bump in size and power has
come with an increase in weight.
Lovers of manual transmissions
will lament the fact that it comes
solely with a six-speed twin-clutch
auto. The manual may return at a
later date.
The cabin has a large matt-
red panel across the dash, LED

mood lighting, and the Golf GTI’s

fl at-bottomed leather sports

steering wheel. The signature

tartan-fabric sports seats can

be replaced by faux-suede

premium pews, and the analogue

instrument cluster can be

replaced by a digital widescreen.

It’s bundled with premium

Beats audio for $1900 and

the seats are packaged with

a sunroof, 18-inch alloys, and

LED headlights for $3900.

Autonomous emergency

braking is standard but more

advanced safety tech, including

radar cruise control, blind zone

warning, rear cross-traffi c alert

and front and rear sensors, are

$1400 extra. Tick all the options

and you’re north of $40,000 by

the time you’re in the traffi c.

It may lack a manual gearbox

option, but the auto is faster

through the gears because

there’s minimal interruption to

power delivery when shifting

ratios. It’s also handy when

changing gears mid-corner.

However, in stop-start traffi c

there is a pause in the gearbox

between releasing the brake

pedal and forward motion, a trait

of twin-clutch autos.

The exhilarating acceleration

once on the move is now

accompanied by a rorty growl

from the engine and exhaust

that delights the senses. The

loudness of the engine can be

changed at the press of a button

thanks to a rather convincing

sound synthesiser.

The stiffness of the suspension

can be switched between Sport

and Normal settings. Individual

mode gives you the best of

both worlds: selecting a soft

suspension set-up but with

sharper throttle and steering.

A little extra weight hasn’t

hurt the Polo GTi; the previous

model was a little too light on

its feet and could feel like it was

bobbing over the road. The new

one feels glued to it.

The standard wheel/tyre

package is 17-inch alloys wrapped

in 215/45 Michelins. With this

combination, the suspension

is incredibly compliant, yet in

corners grip is profound.

On optional 18-inch wheels with

low-profi le Bridgestone rubber

the suspension is a touch busier

— and the tyres a bit noisier —

but even in Sport mode it’s not

unbearable. If you prefer slightly

sharper refl exes, opt for the 18s.

If you’re going to spend most

of the time on bumpy pavement,

the 17s are the better choice as

they still have ample grip but

provide more comfort.

The 2019 Polo GTi might be

pricey for a small car, but as a

beautifully sorted performance

package it’s worth every cent.

By Joshua Dowling

VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI FROM $31,990

THINGS WE LIKE

 The best drive in the small hot

hatch class

 Big power and torque for a

small car

 Superb handling and a

comfortable ride

 Makes a great sound

 Comfortable driver’s seat

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Safety options should be standard

at the price

No manual option

Short warranty

VW reliability can be an issue

Expensive servicing

SPEX

Made in South Africa

2.0-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder/

six-speed DSG/front-wheel drive

147kW of power from

4390-6000rpm/320Nm of torque

from 1450-4390rpm

0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds (claimed)

5.1L/100km highway; 7.9L/100km

city; 95 octane premium; CO²

emissions are 140gkm

Warranty: Five years/unlimited km

Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, AEB, camera, adaptive

suspension, tyre pressure

monitoring, keyless entry and

starting, Bluetooth, voice control,

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, eight-

inch touchscreen, dual-zone air

Redbook future values: 3yr: 52%;

5yr: 40%

compare with ...

Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208GTi,

Renault Clio RS200

Safety

Not yet tested

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money



Overall



STARS