Polo GT 140PS review / road test

[the-photographer]

Test subject, 5-door manual Polo GT currently being used as a demonstrator and loan car.

Compared to, 2006 MK6 manual GTI with 55,000 miles.

Engine

==

Without doubt the engine is the best bit of the Polo car;

Nearly silent at typical city/urban speeds, no vibration through the pedals or steering.

Amazing torque at low engine speeds and high gears, its very flexible at 40mph even in 5th gear,
the visual change-up indicator is very aggressive.

Through the gears in 1st and 2nd it feels faster (compared to my GTI) from 1000-3000rpm, exhaust
from 3000rpm is simply exhaust noise.

Engine was at 50'c after 2 miles

Interior

==

This car had the optional Alcantara seats with fake leather bolsters, switchgear and plastics
were adequate. Steering wheel had a good quality physical feel I thought.

Driving

=

After a few stalls (wow that clutch engages early) I managed to get out of the car park. Steering
is tuned for urban driving, gearbox is slightly long throw, but accurate.


Bad points (remember comparison with an old MK5)

==========================================

• B and C pillar visibility, though you would probably adapt.

• Wind noise from windscreen at motorway speeds.

• Clutch rest space to the actual pedal is very narrow

• Steering feel, enter a tight roundabout and after a certain input angle the road seems to turn to glass and you get the feeling someone has turned up the assistance to max, or imagine the road has suddenly turned to ice.

• Brakes, lack initial bite (but probably feel amazing compared to a 1.2l disc/drum Polo)

Good points

=====

• Long term computer states long term average is 44Mpg over 1000 miles. Which I think is excellent for a loan/demonstrator car.

Would I buy one?

Well, actually its the small points like the clutch rest that would actually dissuade me, after 1000 miles you probably wouldn't notice the steering and brakes. So, I would look at the next size up in Golf/A3/Leon form.

For other people, well if you are buying new with finance, see if you can scrape a 122PS MK7 Golf or second-hand with your own money or bank finance, then a MK6GTI or 122PS.

You are mad to choose the 1.6TDI over this engine, unless your fleet manager is holding a gun!

[acme]

Thanks for taking the time to post this, very interesting. I'm hoping this justifies my decision to order the 1.4ACT in the MK7 Golf. When they announced the Polo GT a few years back and had subsequent tests (& knowing it would go into the Golf) I hoped it would one day allow me to get out of diesel and into a fairly sensible petrol. We'll see.....

[va1o]

Nice write-up. I've found the same with the clutch its very light and unforgiving. Didn't find my old 122 TSI as bad. Otherwise the new 140 TSI is a superb effort and fantastic alternative to the diesels.