New 2013 Volkswagen Polo GT TDI review, test drive

For those who wanted the performance of the Polo GT TSI but baulked at current petrol prices, Volkswagen has just launched this, the Polo GT TDI. Under its hood is the 1.6-litre common rail diesel engine from the Vento and the car costs Rs 9000 more than the GT TSI. We got to drive it at the Buddh international circuit and these are the initial impressions.

The 1598cc four-cylinder diesel motor makes 105bhp and 25.4kgm of torque which, in a car that’s 64kg lighter than the Vento, works wonders. The engine is very responsive even when the turbo is off boost and when you cross 2000rpm, the GT TDI simply takes off. It has a broad spread of torque which the smaller 1.2 litre 3-cyl diesel motor (the only diesel available with the Polo so far) simply can’t match. And, unlike most diesels that run out of breath at 4000rpm, this motor keeps pulling strongly till 5000rpm, the extra revs making it feel like a flexible and effortless to drive car. Unlike the GT TSI which gets a dual clutch automatic transmission, Volkswagen is offering the GT TDI only with a manual 5-speed gearbox and this might be a turn off for some. However, the torquey motor means you really don't have to shift gears often and there is loads of performance on tap. Gearshift quality is smooth but the long travel clutch can get be tiring in constant stop-go traffic. Continued..

It handles more or less like the other Polo variants too. The soft set-up does, however, mean that there is a bit of roll when you corner hard and the Polo understeers strongly at the limit. However, for normal driving, there is plenty of grips from the 185 section tyres. Enthusiasts will be disappointed with the Polo’s electric steering which, though accurate, is devoid of feel and doesn’t weight up in a linear fashion. And, like the GT TSI, the GT TDI's brakes don’t have initial bite that's strong enough and you have to apply more pressure to haul it down from the speeds this big hearted hatch is capable of reaching. This little aspect is more apparent on the track but the brakes remained fade free. 

Also disappointing is how the GT TDI looks identical to the bread-and-butter Polo save for some GT badges on the grille and the boot. Our test cars didn't even have stickers on the C-pillar like the GT TSI has. The interiors are identical to a Highline Polo as well.

 Priced at Rs 8.08 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Polo GT TDI is about Rs 40,000 more than the diesel Hyundai i20, it's only real competition. What you do get for that money is a car that's more powerful and better built, if not as spacious or well equipped as the Hyundai.