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Showing posts with label polo gti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label polo gti. Show all posts

Sunday, July 19, 2015

TOP 5 JUNIOR HOT HATCHES YOU CAN BUY BRAND NEW IN MALAYSIA (2015)

4:06 AM 0

Welcome back! This is the first posting after the 2015 Id Fitr celebrations in Malaysia. I'm technically still on vacation but I think it has been a while since we had a 100%  Motoring-Malaysia posting instead of just the news. Well, I suppose there was that 'Spotted For Sale' Alfa 4C, but of course, the more the better. So now's the time for us to state THE BEST JUNIOR HOT HATCH IN MALAYSIA that you can buy right now (July 2015 that is). According to Yours Truly here of course. This is because I have driven them all nd I do believe that it is my duty to tell you guys about it.

Number #5 - Volkswagen Polo GTI



This spot belongs to the Volkswagen Polo GTI. I have stated before that I enjoyed the Polo GTI a fair bit. The car when driven on its own, in isolation is good enough for most to feel a certain motoring high. This car, with its rorty sounding 180hp/250nm twincharged 1.4liter engine and a very aggressive 7 speed dual clutch gearbox makes acceleration entertaining and feels more powerful than what it actually has. 

It loses out badly on the handling stakes by only being slightly better than a stock 1.2TSI (with 17 inch wheels). It feels like a car that is all tyres on a very narrow chassis. On the limit it actually feels like its tippy toeing around on the tyres instead of the hard riding chassis actually keeping everything planted. Yes, you can drive rings around most cars, but against opponents like the Ford Fiesta ST and even number #4 below,  it should give more than this. And you can never put as much power to the ground like you could the other cars that I've rated ahead of it. I think when Volkswagen comes out with the face lifted and revamped 1.8liter Polo GTI here then things may get better for this car. That has suspension mods that may make it a better car. Can't wait for Volkswagen to bring it in. 

Costs RM155,000+ but you could usually get a very healthy discount for it these days.

Number #4 - Suzuki Swift Sport


You're talking old school to the maximum here. If you're the guy stuck in the 1980s and 1990s and always talk about the Peugeot 205GTI and the Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 and 2 as well as the fact that they don't make 'em like they used to then you haven't tried the current (and previous Suzy Swift Sport). This car is so old school in its performance and its handling that the only thing modern about it inside is the bluetooth and other connectivity functions. And better plastics. And layout. And brighter headlights. And better safety. Oh you get my drift.

Horsepower and torque figures come from days gone by - 133hp and 160Nm from  normally aspirated 1.6liter engine coupled to a 5 speed (or surprisingly very nice CVT) gearbox makes it super authentic. Acceleration is spot on 1980s-1990s too - mid 8 seconds and 195kmh. Very pedestrian in this day and age but it's about driver-machine interaction when it comes to hot hatches. This has it in spades.

You can throw it round bends without a care in the world. Bumps in the middle of a corner will not sway its course and it even takes our bumpy road surfaces like a champion. It never gets ruffled and charges on to the next corner with an energy that it unbecoming of its size and category. And the car is still very throttle adjustable (for a front wheel drive) that the tail is your best friend is most corners. The ride is hard but not harsh and suits its sporty characteristics. It will not shake your kidneys unlike some supposedly sporty hatchbacks. Now add the fact that it is pretty refined at highway speeds you've got a car that is also less tiring for those long drives back to the countryside. Oh, the ABS isn't intrusive and will only activate when the brake pedal is really stomped upon. 

Cost - RM100,000+  Very affordable and very interactive. I like. I really really like. Yes, it could have been placed higher if not for the super ol' skool performance. But heck, I like nostalgia sometimes.

Number #3 Renault RenaultSport Clio RS 200


Its the car I last drove - the RenaultSport Clio RS200 comes in third. It has 200hp and 240Nm torque from a 1.6liter turbocharged lump coupled to a 6 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Now why didn't I place this higher?

Well, I suppose firstly its the price - RM168,000+ before you throw in insurance. Now if you want fancy red trimming you have to add another RM6,000 I think. Less the discount of say about RM20,000 or thereabouts and you still get something expensive compared to the others here (all can be gotten at some large discounts if you buy it at the right time). Price is a big factor as if you're buying a junior hot hatch. Why? Hello, if you had more money you'd be looking at their bigger brothers lah - the Golf GTI, Megane 250 etc etc. 

So what's it like to drive? Stable fast but somehow down on interaction and character. The good thing about the Clio RS these days is that the plastics don't feel like bloody croissants and flake away in your hands anymore after buying them. The interior seems as well built as the other cars in here and it feels like a nice place to be sitting in. The car has a very smooth power delivery and gear changes by that DCT is smooth. I find it to be better than some VW DSGs in terms of low speed shifts and nearly as fast on the upshifts when you're gunning for it. 

Handling is good and predictable. And when you combine the performance and handling of the Clio RS it works out to be slightly too clinical in my books. There is less driver interaction compared to the two cars that come in below. I also think that Renault Sport had to lessen the torque figures for this RS 200 because it is DCT equipped for the sake of reliability. It does not feel as rapid to drive as some of the others. It's not slow, but it could do with another 20Nm or so to make it thrilling down the straight. Or maybe I should have switched on the artificial sound amplifier and make the darn thing sound like a Nissan GTR when I drove it (yes, you can make it sound like a superbike, a Clio V6, a Renault Alpine or even  Nissan GTR from the infotainment system). I suppose its the driver-machine interaction that I crave the most in these sort of cars. The Clio RS is slightly down on this point. 

Cost - RM168,000+. expensive in this crowd. More driver interaction needed. But, it is the best if you are too darn lazy to shift by yourself.

Number #2 - Ford Fiesta ST


The Fiesta ST is by far the best handler of this bunch by miles here but it costs RM10,000 more (which is actually opposite as the Pug is more expensive than the Ford in the UK). It would give you the best in terms of outright handling but overall performance falls a little behind - 180hp and 240Nm with some overboost in horses (and torque) on full bore acceleration. It may be slightly slower on paper than the Clio RS but it feels more rapid in some ways. It has to be driver interaction. That missing bit when it comes to the Clio RS over this feisty Fiesta. It, like the Suzy in number #4 has that extra bit of adjustability that makes it a a dream to drive and to own if the budget allows.

But its cabin is a tad more basic looking and less premium than the one sitting at number One. In fact a little too mundane and plain even though it has the nicest looking Recaro seats this side of an Audi RS3. But when you sit in it, you stare at that modern looking but quite cheap looking plastic dashboard. Maybe I am spoilt by the luxuries I have in my life. I think I could live a bit more luxury inside and live with about 10% less handling finesse. 

In fact, car number #1 has that. It has 10% less in handling for the extra (almost) 20hp in engine performance and a dollop more torque coupled with a slightly more premium interior (for day to day driving). Call me superficial and slightly cheap (as it is RM10,000 cheaper to buy). But I like my creature comforts and powaaahhhhhhh more than just handling (which I personally can drive around its flaws and traits.

Cost RM150,000 OTR (but you can have this with a discount these days too)

Number #1 - Peugeot 208GTI


And so, unlike what most motoring journos over in the UK or Europe say, I choose the Peugeot 208GTI as my favourite junior hot hatch by the thinnest of margins.......for the moment that is.

In the sub RM150,000 price range I do not think any brand new car can touch the darn thing in all out acceleration. Peugeot claims 0-100kmh in 6.8seconds. I managed 6.5seconds. From a standstill, it is really, really rapid for a supermini sized hot hatch. Stock VW Golf GTIs would actually be surprised if they were trying to follow one. Of course, it has 200hp and 275Nm torque. Torque makes it really move. The only issue is that it does so pretty quietly, much like the Clio RS in some ways. Like refined transport instead of hot hatchback in terms of aural effects. Not that it matters. I state again that I do not think any brand new car under RM150,000 can touch this car in a straight line. 

As for handling, the 208GTI is somewhat like its engine. Smooth and tuned for overall driving instead of just balls out driving. Maybe this is why Peugeot only dropped the car by 8mm. The ride is actually quite good for a hot hatch. It isn't as jiggly as some of the others in its class and actually rides better than the base 208 sold here. That one feels light, floaty and glides over bumps instead of absorbing is a little. Well sorted in terms of ride but the price to pay is in its ultimate grip and handling where it lacks some front end grip over the Fiesta and the wildness of its tail in-extrimis (white knuckles and all that wet your pants stuff if you're not ready for it) . 

The fact that Peugeot has packaged a very fast junior hatchback with a  premium looking interior, good ride, good equipment and only slightly flawed handling coupled with a price below RM140,000 makes it my favourite choice among all of the junior hot hatches sold today in Malaysia. 

Yes it does have some drawbacks but  I am single mindedly drawn to the engine performance it gives and it may have some front end grip issues (which I believe could be solved with custom alignment and better tyres). And that RM10,000 cheaper than the Fiesta ST has some weight in my opinion. You can do alot with RM10,000. A set of lowering performance springs for the Pug may cost RM1,200 and it would actually help make it a better car. You still save RM8,800 of your hard earned, and now less value due to shitty currency exchange, Malaysian Ringgit.

Cost RM140,000 (and could be less with a discount these days) - A complete package for the money. Of course, if you took the Fiesta ST over this I would also say you made a good choice for the ultimate driver's hot hatch that money can buy in Malaysia. This,  the Peugeot 208 GTI, is the better all-rounder for long term ownership in my books.

Note: Why is _________ (fill in with whatever B segment Hot hatch  you think should be here) not on this list? Well, is it sold in Malaysia? If not why should it be here? Secondly, why is the Proton Satria Neo not on this list? Hello? Best junior hot hatch? 2015 lah....not 2005. And it's slow..slow...slow...it does not do 0-100kmh in under 10 seconds stock. Hot? far from it lah. 
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Sunday, May 3, 2015

Guest post: Top 5 Pre-Loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks under RM60,000

9:22 PM 0

Today is a public holiday in Malaysia. It is therefore a day to chill and relax.  So we now have an article written by my friend and fellow petrolhead Firdaus Asri. You may remember him as the chap who wrote that eye watering article about his latest purchase (and spending), the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6. Now he gives us a list on his favourite fairly new and affordable used Hot (and warm) Hatchbacks that you can get in Malaysia. 

My Top 5 Pre-loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks

I have always had a soft spot on hot hatches because I grew up in the one that kick-started the whole hot hatch genre thing, it was a 1976 VW Mk1 Golf. A short trip back to memory lane, I vividly remember that my parents bought it from my almost abnormal uncle and for years it was pretty much the only car that we had that sort of worked and worked well.


So unsurprisingly ever since I started working back in 2001 until now, I’ve bought 3 cars and all of them are hatchbacks. Some warm and some, the very hot type of hatch. And let me explain why. In my almost narrow minded view (Ed- I do think he is narrow minded in this point), I see hot hatch as a car that gives all things to all men. When I looked at something worthy of a hot hatch, the most important thing it has to be something really small, offers decent practicality, and it needs to have a big engine under the hood with ample horsepower that gives you hope that you can keep up with almost anything you see in front of the windscreen. The kind of car that lets you be a good dad by sending your kids to school every weekday morning and nurtured you as a boy racer on every Sunday morning. It is a formula that worked and still working well to many men who think they’re still young at heart. I believe that age is just a number that keeps on climbing.

But because we’re living in a world where hot hatches that used to cost us a few pennies but now have its price bloated by taxes and duties into something that unless you’re born with a silver spoon , you may need to consider auctioning one of your kidneys to afford one brand new. Do not give up because there is still hope and below I’m sharing my top 5 pre-loved hot (and warm) hatchbacks you can take home below RM60K.

1. Proton Satria GTi 1.8 (M) – 1998 - 2005
Potentially a modern relic priced between RM18K-RM20K


It was introduced in late 1998 as a showcase of hope of what Lotus can do to Proton. Lotus' Julian Thomson and his team did their magic and managed to turnaround a bland looking Satria into an absolutely eye catching boy racer styled hatchback wrapped in Ducati Silver that is worthy of the GTI badge. The kit and interior parts like the Recaro seats made the Satria GTi look fabulous compared with the ordinary Saria… really! The Mitsubishi 4G93 1.8 litre naturally aspirated engine with 5-speed F5M22 box surely won’t set your pants on fire in today’s standard but there are plenty of go-faster bits that could easily push the power up to 160 whp. Been there done that. 

It is without a doubt a tasty nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaf and used newspaper at a price that everyone can now afford to buy one, cash. Good examples are currently advertised between RM18K to 20K. For the extra money left in your pocket, I would recommend you to put that into good use by restoring this piece of potentially collectible modern classic so that you can enjoy driving it on the weekends and special occasions. It may just be a Proton but there is something about it that when people spotted you driving one, people will say that this guy knows what he’s doing.


2. Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 1.6 (M) Limited 2011 -2012
Potentially the most reliable entry level track day carving tool between RM49K-RM55K



Based on the mad low number Satria Neo R3 Lotus edition but they’ve gone a bit smarter by coming out with almost similar car at almost half the price. In many ways, I do think it is the closest worthy spiritual successor to the Satria GTi. It is a kin to comparing Ferrari F40 and Ferrari F50 where the 1.6 litre CPS engine even after equipped go-faster bits lacked low end torque compared to the 4G93 in the GTi (although somewhat cleverly masked by Exora’s final drive). Yet if you drive it in anger you will know it is much more of a razor sharp point-and-shoot car than the GTi. Local drift and track gurus Tengku Djan and Faidzil Alang had spent time optimizing the geometry of the suspension into something that you can take it to track days on monthly basis and enjoy sub 3 minutes lap time at Sepang consistently. And it is a cheap car to run I’m sure.

Depending on your luck, 2011 and 2012 examples can be had between RM48k to RM55k. Considering it is much newer car than the GTi, you may not need to spend much in getting the car as good as new. And unless you know the car history from A-Z, I would recommend getting exactly stock condition for peace of mind.


3. VW Polo GTI 9N3 1.8T - 4thGen Polo Facelift version sold in Malaysia - 2006-2008
Potentially the definitive pocket rocket priced between RM50-RM55K for 2008 examples



As they say looks can be very deceiving. This Volkswagen Polo GTI looks a lot like a nicer version of a bodykitted Kia Picanto. Out of the box, there is nothing much to like about this car. But as an ex-owner the potential is enormous. Unlike the current 6R Polo GTI, it has a 1.8T engine paired with a 5-speed box that is almost nuclear proof . There is also an abundance of aftermarket parts for the engine. You only need a stage 1+ remap, front-mounted intercooler, full on exhaust, uprated clutch kit, uprated bushings, good tyres and well sorted suspension, and without trying too hard, a sure thing of a responsive 216 whp and 300 wNm on sub 1,200 kg pocket rocket at your disposal. (Ed-Oi! That's a heck of a lot of parts lah!!!! Cheap you say?)

It may not have the driving dynamics of the Type R Civics or even a Satria Neo R3 or especially Mk6 Golf GTI, they will have hard time shaking you off on winding roads (after you do this mods). And I still remember sitting behind an E60 M5 on the NSE and it will only pull off into the distance at 200 kmh onwards. Even with all those mods in, it can be a very reliable workhorse and would not be a problem commuting to the office in it daily. And unlike the bigger brother Golf GTI, it is actually much more sensible and cheaper to maintain too. Aftermarket parts prices in many cases won’t hurt your wallet as bad as you would imagine (Ed – with Ebay being your best friend). I said it before and I’m going to say it again, it may not be the best hot hatch in the world but given the right mods it is the definitive pocket rocket to my eyes.

Getting hold onto one can be a bit tough as there are only fifty units of the 9N3 Polo GTIs in Malaysia and most of the owners are pretty reluctant to sell theirs. But because of pressure from wives to stop behaving like kids, I do know some of the good ones can be up for grabs. Depending on conditions and modifications, realistically 2008 examples would be priced between RM45K-RM55K. As ever, a complete vehicle history does come in handy.


4. Mini Cooper S R53 – 2001 - 2006
Potentially timeless designed super mini


The Mini Cooper S R53 for sure cultivates in-crowd vibes not only to men but with ladies as well. Buy one and you’ll feel like you are joining an elite club, where the only requirement of entry is good taste. It is a brand thing and I’m unable to articulate anything further.

It might not have the outright grunt as modded Polo GTIs but with wider chassis and tracks, you can mesh almost all the juice coming from 1.6 supercharged engine into the corner and you can be rest assured it will stick to it. Going really hardcore, you could trail brake as you turn into a corner, instigates the tail to swivel, four wheel slides and the front bonnet should be able to pointing out of the corner very early in its radius. Once getting the hang of it, you can string corners together with dabs here, lifts there at huge amount of speed.

As good as it is, like many continental cars, it too doesn’t get spared from being hit by age, reliability issues and heavy depreciation. You may find 2003 examples can be had from as low as RM48K while the last batch ones are nearing RM60K. While it is generally a reliable machine , there are plenty of online buyers guides that you can look for potential and known faults. A word of caution though locally Mini parts prices can be on the high side like BMW .(Ed – 'reliable' here is taken with extreme caution...really really extreme caution as they are temperamental)


5. Suzuki Swift Sport – 2005 - 2012
Shopping trolley doesn’t get any better than this


I have to add this in because the founder of this blog won’t be happy if I didn’t...... hahaha (Ed – yes...this is very very true). Truth be told I can see why. Swift Sport may not have the looks of a Mini Cooper S but it sure does behaving similar to Cooper S in a more efficient and imageless sort of way. I think it is a case of uncomplicated drivetrain and 1,045 kgs of weight that makes a solid foundation for smooth, compliant ride and playful chassis giving you heaps of no frills interactive fun .

Because it is Japanese it therefore has honest to goodness engineering, it should work like clockwork and kinder to your wallet like the Protons when it comes to maintenance. While the car’s resale value remains strong, you can have 2007 and 2008 ones asking price between RM45K to RM50K. And as long as the car is accident free, expect it to be running even after you handover the keys to your kids.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Test Drive : 2013/14 Volkswagen Polo GTI - A spirited little terror

10:03 AM 0

Hello folks, this review should have been out last Sunday but due to certain events I've only managed to complete it today. The 2013/14 Malaysian spec Volkswagen Polo GTI is in many ways like its more basic Polo 1.6 Hatchback that I tested earlier. Whatever that is not covered in here like its practicality could have been explained over there. This is the rest of it and do note that this is a review on how it drives. If you wanna know on whether it will break or not you may have to search elsewhere. But if you must know, nothing broke during the time I had the car. So on with the review then.......


The design, engine and drivetrain


The Volkswagen Polo GTI comes in either a 3 door or a 5 door supermini sized hatchback. The car that I tried was the 5 door Polo GTI. It is styled in the same manner as the bread and butter Polo hatchbacks but with some added makeup that it would need to live up to its ''GTI' moniker. The same clean lines that you see on the more basic 1.6 and 1.2 TSI variants are still here and there are no outrageous bonnet scoops, vents or rear whale tails of any sort. What you get on the outside is a discrete bodykit kit with sightly different front and rear bumpers, twin tailpipes at the rear, 17inch VW Detroit wheels running 215/40/17 tyres. You also get some red lipstick, or in this case some red lines on the front grille too. Little red bits tell you that this is supposed to be a hot and spicy Polo instead of a low fat low sugar variant.


The interior is the same as the Polo 1.6 hatchback I tested a few weeks ago. Of course being a GTI you get more luxurious stuff like the aggressively bolstered seats (made by Recaro at the front) and better padded seats at the rear. The GTI part of it aside from the Recaro seats is the use of tartan cloth, a throwback to the first Volkswagen GTI, the Golf. It gets a tilt and slide panoramic sunroof too. The interior also gets a soft touch dashboard instead of the hard plastic one of the normal 1.6 hatchback and 1.2TSI. But aside from touching and feeling it, you wouldn't know the difference but it is a good thing for a car that costs at least RM65,000 more expensive than the entry level car. There are also more aluminium and better bits on the dash to uplift this GTI specced Polo from the norm. Other bits include the Climatronic air-conditioning system, reverse sensors, a nice sounding audio system and the usual goodies like an armrest for the front passengers.

The Polo GTI is a hot hatch because of the firepower Volkswagen has given it. It has a 1.4liter Twincharge engine coupled to a 7 speed Dual Clutch Gearbox. The engine makes 180ps at 6200rpm and 250Nm torque from 2000-4500rpm. The DSG is a dry clutch version of Volkswagen Group's pretty renowned dual clutch transmission. I have to state that this is the most technologically advanced small capacity engine that we Malaysians can buy at this moment. Just think about it, the twin charge engine is actually a 1400cc engine that makes 180ps (over 100ps per liter) by way of a supercharger to bring out low end grunt and a turbocharger for power at the higher rpm. It is a heck of a complex setup and note that after this generation of the Polo GTI and the Scirocco 1.4, Volkswagen may not produce it anymore due to its complexity and cost. Of course, with complexity comes maintenance costs, but this for now is another matter – I shall discuss reliability somewhere down below.

Driving the darn thing.

It is easy to find a nice driving position in the Polo GTI. Much nicer and sportier with the sports seats and a sightly flat bottomed, sportier (perforated leather for better grip) steering wheel with 'GTI' embossed on it. The steering wheel adjusts nicely and is of a very nice shape to hold. You then start the Polo with a traditional key too.

Now once on the move you notice that the DSG works like any other automatic transmission. The gear changes are smooth and instantaneous. However unlike a normal torque convertor transmission it isn't a paramount of smoothness and needs more modulation than you'd like. It has the feeling of a regular manual transmission clutch in its initial take up and needs a bit of getting used to its feel. No, you'd never stall like a manual, but you feel that it does have a clutch down there somewhere. Note that you can control the Polo GTI by leaving it in Drive or knock it down to Sport (which I have to say is highly intelligent and aggressive in that it will shift down to a lower gear as soon as it senses you're off the gas or on the brakes) or take over completely via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or via the +- on the gear lever. A lot of choices and I've used all depending on the time of day and location. Keep it in 'D' for most normal drives and everything is smooth.

The ride of the Polo GTI is of course busier than the usual Polo. It feels more firm and nuggety. Most bumps are still very tolerable and things smoothen out once you're cruising at around 110-120kmh. In fact hit 200kmh and you still feel secure in this car. There are no harsh crashes or any of that sort even if you encounter a large pothole or speed hump. It is slightly busy, but not of the head nodding variety, and not till you'd rather opt for something else instead. There is more tyre noise compared to the standard Polo, but on 215/40 series tyres, its about right but not loud and irritating. Make sure you have good tyres and all should be well in the road noise department.

The Polo GTI is one car which loves the accelerator pedal being prodded. Everything you hit that loud pedal a sonorous sound emits from the front of the car. There is a loud induction sort of growl and if you wind down the windows you'd also notice a slight whistle too. And couple this to a rapid pick up of speed after 2,500rpm (3,000 for the proper thrust to come) the package of maximum thrills in a small package seems to fall into place.

Once you hit the accelerator, the tyres chirp and the car rockets off. The noise emitted from the front (and some from the rear) sounds like a heard of angry hippos charging up a river bank. Luckily the sound it makes is matched with some performance. Front a stand still the Polo GTI will do 100kmh in around 6.7seconds and it will feel wonderous in doing so. It also has some impressive thrust if you are doing 90kmh to 120kmh – under 4 seconds. The Twincharge engine works very well with the 7 speed DSG in keeping revs up and gearchanges satisfyingly quick. There is no lag whatsoever in the gearshifts and the little Polo GTI never holds anything back.

So what does the Polo GTI remind me of.......? Well it feels like a properly angry, tuned performance car. It snorts and bellows and acceleration is quite relentless until about 200kmh (with more to come). And all of this from a 1.4liter engine. This is pretty amazing. The last time I felt this good (for a car in the 6 second to 100kmh category is a tuned Proton Wira 1.8 with a turbocharged engine. This car behaves like a tuned car, in terms of performance and also its handling.

And it can handle. Going up and down the usual roads where I usually do my road tests I found that the chassis works well within its limits and it does not get unsettled over ruts and bumps. As stated earlier, high speed stability isn't an issue and on a road with hairpins, switchbacks and tight turns the Polo GTI performs as well as it should on its narrow chassis. Yes, the only drawback about this car is that it feels slightly on the narrow side which isn't its fault as the Polo is supposed to be a supermini sized car and is sized as such. So when you are pushing it you would find that it would eventually feel like you're standing on its tyres instead and you'd sometimes wish you had a wider car like the full monty Golf GTI.

Note that the Polo GTI is something that comes from Volkswagen and this means that you will find that the handling is also nose-led like other VW group products out there. It is on the safe side (which explains the extremely good stability at around 200kmh). The steering may be nicely weighted (really nicely weighted) and you will most definitely cock a rear wheel when doing some aggressive cornering but it feels very secure in doing so with the front leading the way rather than the rear stepping out a little to assist things.....which could be a good thing to most Malaysian drivers these days who have never driven anything rear wheel drive over the past twenty years.

The brakes are a little weak though. It has good initial feel but I think that ultimate retardation could be improved. The disc area seams large enough and I believe this could be down to what I think are single pot floating calipers at the front (instead of twin pot monoblocks ala Brembos or the equivalent) and at the rear. These are adequate in day to day driving but for track days or really serious, I just robbed a bank and I need to be as fast as I can as well as brake like crazy whilst avoiding the police type of serious, then I recommend that you'd need slightly better brakes.

But the Polo GTI is still a lot of fun. I managed to keep the traction control flickering whilst belting through the windy road. Tyres chirping, induction roar rumbling and the car working well through it all. The thing about the Polo GTI is that 180ps may be just enough to keep the driver happy and working for it up and down a windy road. It isn't overpowered like some 300hp Evos out there and this actually helps an enthusiast work for the performance instead of just managing or balancing an overpowered car through the bends. In the Polo GTI, the driver still needs to egg out all of its 180ps and 250Nm torque to make rapid progress. You still have to think on where to place the car through the bends, where to add power, where to down shift and where to upshift. It is a blast. Especially since that DSG is superfast in its shifts. Somehow the package works if you want a decently fast car (not seriously fast, with that you need at least something with over 250hp these days) that would reward its driver and is forgiving too.

Conclusion and my opinion on maintaining a Polo GTI here in Malaysia


It is a great characterful entry level GTI that begs to be driven fast most of the time. That growl (some say that the sound is manufactured, but who cares) is addictive too. It is ultimately not as complete as the bigger Golf GTI (with its extra power, torque, overall balance), but still an entertaining little car. The main drawback to all of this fun is the price. At over RM155,000 your head may spin trying to justify purchasing this over a Mazda 6 2.0. This is one of the hardest things facing someone who wants to buy an imported, entry level performance car in Malaysia today. Your palms may be sweating and your hand may be shaking too much for you to sign that cheque for the booking fees.

The other, slightly scarier issues are the highly advanced 1.4liter Twincharger engine and the 7 speed dry clutch DSG. It is only after running the Polo GTI for a few days that I have come to the findings below:

The fact that it has two forced induction turbines as well as being direct injected (which means a higher than usual engine compression ratio) should tell you that this isn't an ordinary engine. After a long drive when you try pop the bonnet you will find an extremely hot engine whose heat reminds me of a friend's Lancer Evolution. Having such a tuned engine (even though it is from the factory) means that one should treat it with more respect than that of a normal engined car. I would suggest owners to maintain the Polo GTI religiously and not miss any service intervals (in fact if VW says 15,000km, do it even lesser if possible). Do make sure that the service centre provides VW504 grade engine oil (which is VW's long life oil rating) for this and do not skimp on the quality of oil.

The same goes for the DSG. Buyers must note that unlike a traditional torque convertor gearbox or even a wet clutch DSG, a dry clutch DSG has two clutches to assist in the changing of gears. Anything dry rubbing against another surface would cause friction. And like a traditional manual gearbox's clutch (which is a dry clutch most of the time) the clutch plate(s) would suffer from wear. So remember if you looooove flooring the accelerator at traffic lights all the time, a DSG clutch will wear out. This is different from something used in say, a Toyota Vios automatic. That Toyota can do Go Greens everytime of the day without any problems (as it has no torque too). So I would suggest buyers be prepared for a change of clutches if you intend to use the car for its duration if you drive like Senna all the time. Drive normally most of the time and the DSG may survive as long as it should. The occasional spirited driving and lighting up the tyres at the traffic lights are acceptable.  Again, note that it has clutches that may wear out and be prepared for it and you should do fine!!!! 

So once buyers see past these two issues and is prepared for it, the Polo GTI is a car that an enthusiast can appreciate and can bring a smile to one's face. 

And yes, here is an in-car vid of the Polo GTI (By the way, lots of mosquitos kept me company that day):

Volkswagen Polo GTI Specifications
Base Price: RM155,888 (w/o insurance)
Body: 5-door Hatchback
Mechanical Orientation: Front Wheel Drive
Engine: 4 cylinder 16 valve fuel injected 1.4-litre Twincharge (supercharger/turbocharger)
Power: 180PS (6200rpm)
Torque: 250 NM (2000-4500rpm)
Transmission: 7 speed dual clutch gearbox with paddleshifts and Sports mode
Weight: 1269kg
0-100 km/h: 6.7 seconds (tested)
Top Speed: tested to 205 km/h (229kmh manufacturer's figures)
Fuel Consumption: I got an average of around 9ltr/100km even after really gunning it.

For: Good Equipment, intelligent design and layout, quality, boot space, comfort, great seats, good ride and handling for a hot hatch, economical, good performance considering its a 1.4liter engine, superfast shifts from DSG, nothing really holds back if you're gunning this little car.


Against: some tiny switchgear, sightly weak brakes for really spirited driving, super advanced engine needs a lot of TLC in the long run, superfast DSG needs the same TLC in the long run too, there is such a thing as a Golf GTI further up the price range too.


Sometimes, you get lucky and you find a base model to photograph your test subject with - Here we have the Polo GTI with a basic Polo for comparison.
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