Volkswagen Polo GTI and DTI 2006 review

It has broadened the line-up of its smallest car in Australia by adding an exciting GTi hatchback pocket-rocket as well as a smooth, torquey diesel-engine model.

The 110kW turbocharged Polo GTi – a kid brother to the famous Golf GTi – and the penny-pinching but surprisingly driveable Polo diesel DTi add to the two 1.4-litre petrol Polo models already released.

It means Volkswagen Australia offers a wide Polo range from $16,990 (Polo Club 1.4 three-door) to the $26,990 of the new Polo GTi.

Driving the GTi and the diesel TDi confirms they retain the expected, and welcomed, VW-German solid feel with good finish.

These are light cars but they are not tinny. Both these new variants come only in five-speed manual.

The GTi has a 1781cc engine with turbocharger and intercooler to produce 110kW power at 5800rpm and 220Nm of torque from 1950rpm to 4500rpm.

VW claims a zero-to-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds on the way to a 216km/h top speed.

The turbo effect is felt above 3000rpm when the engine comes on song and by 4000rpm there is considerable progress. But there is enough torque across that wide rev range that it does not have to be revved hard: leave it in fourth gear and it will do the 80-120km/h "overtaking test" in 7.5 seconds.

Ride is a bit firm, thanks to the sports suspension and low-profile tyres but the rewards come by way of direct steering and good cornering feel for the driver. ESP is standard but it does not intervene too early: some laps at Victoria's Oran Park raceway revealed that the driver can still feel and react to understeer on the front-wheel-drive little car.

It sits on 2900rpm at 110km/h in fifth gear. The GTi gets red-finished calipers for its disc brakes (288mm-diameter front rotors) and wears 205/45 tyres on its 16in diameter alloy wheels.

Safety gear includes six airbags (front, side and head), ABS brakes, ESP, an anti-slip program, three lap-sash belts and three adjustable head restraints in the rear plus sensors for low tyre pressure.

Equipment includes fog lights, red edging on the seat belts, multi-function trip computer, dual chromed exhaust tips, Interlagos sports cloth seats with good side bolstering, rear high-mounted spoiler and GTi-style black grille with honeycomb inserts.

The $26,990 price is good considering the gear and the go. Options are sunroof ($1490), leather trim ($2490) and metallic paint ($490). Rivals include the Peugeot 206 GTi (100kW, 190Nm, $29,990) and Renault Clio Sport (131kW, 200Nm $32,990). Polo GTi is a fun vehicle to drive and it can still potter in city traffic, and do the shopping and commuting.

Meanwhile, Polo diesel TDi is the real surprise package. Chances are a passenger won't even pick that it has a diesel engine. It runs quietly, smoothly and with good pull.

It's the same 1.9-litre turbocharged four-cylinder found in other VW models but in the relatively light Polo produces good performance. It has 74kW power at 4000rpm and 240Nm of torque at just 1800rpm. It moves from zero to 100km/h in 10.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 188km/h.

The Polo uses diesel at a rate of five litres/100km. And it can handle highway work, sitting on 110km/h at 2200rpm. At $22,990, Polo TDi is the lowest-priced diesel passenger car in Australia.

The Polo TDi has as standard 185/60 tyres on steel rims. Larger rims and lower-profile tyres are optional. It gets front airbags and ABS. Both Polo GTi and DTi have airconditioning, power windows and cruise control as standard.

Automatic transmission is not on the horizon for either variant but is available in a 1.4-litre Polo.