Driven: Volkswagen Polo Blue GT
An eco hot hatch that isn't a diesel? Technology could still be the saviour of us all...
So what about the economy? Having spotted that 'Blue GT' sounds almost exactly like a cross between Bluemotion and GTI, you won't be surprised to learn that this is almost exactly what it is. Quite literally in parts, as it combines front and rear styling elements from the Polo GTI with Polo Bluemotion side skirts and aero-modified windscreen rain channels.
USP? More like ACT...
The cynical might suggest that a jack of all trades is a master of none, and it's true the Blue GT is neither as fast as the 180hp GTI (0-62mph in 7.9 seconds is a second slower) nor as green as the 80.7mpg Bluemotion (we'll come back to that). But the Blue GT does have a rather snazzy new feature under the bonnet - cylinder deactivation.
This means this car will cruise at 70mph on two cylinders.
Two cylinders good, four cylinders even better
Think about this; it's actually brilliant. That a hot hatch - well, warm hatch in this instance, but consider the potential - likes to chug the go-go juice is fine when you're going for it. But what this technology does is calm the consumption right down whenever you haven't got that opportunity.
Best of all, ACT never impedes your enjoyment of the car's full potential. Switching cylinder modes happens within one-and-a-half turns of the camshafts (13-36 milliseconds), making it basically instantaneous. Modest acceleration is possible without engaging the full complement of pistons; ask for only the merest amount more, however, and the 1.4 comes fully to life without fuss.
Like all the latest TSI Polos - including the 105hp 1.2 - it will try its absolute damnedest to give you satisfaction and to do a decent impression of something with rather more capacity. For the Blue GT, Volkswagen has even retuned the suspension, lowering it 15mm over a natty set of multispoke 17s.
If the outcome isn't the sharpest hatch we've ever driven, the compromise between compliance and bodyroll seems well judged, and the usual XDS electrickery finds stacks of grip. In typical VW fashion it's flattering, and fun, and utterly at home in a wide range of driving situations.
It'll cost you, though. Estimated entry price ahead of the on sale date in September is around £17,500 - that's more than a 180hp vRS Fabia. But no-one ever said it was cheap to be an early adopter...
VOLKSWAGEN POLO BLUE GT
Engine: 1,395cc four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation, turbocharged
Power: 140hp @ 4,500 - 6,000rpm
Torque: 184lb ft @ 1,500 - 3,500rpm
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
Weight: 1,212kg
MPG: 61.4mpg (manual), 62.7mpg (DSG)
CO2: 107g/km (manual), 105g/km (DSG)
Price: from £17,500 (official estimate)
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Autocar said "On a 60 mile motorway run out of Amsterdam we managed 76.4mpg"
So get this car on your company car/personal lease shortlist instead of another diesel.
For private/cash people wait for the cheaper variants (you'll also find it in the new A3/MK7 later in the year).
When will they develop an engine that can run on a thimble of fuel?
I know some may argue that the Polo is faster than the original Golf GTI, but I argue that more modern cars don't feel as fast because of both their refinement and weight.
Although I obviously haven't been out in this new Polo, so perhaps quite an unfounded comment/post etc.
Edited to add: Just re-read the artical and saw the "warm" bit. Oops!
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