According To The 59 Jury Members
After the judgement of about 59 automotive journalists from all over the world, Volkswagen AG confirmed that the Polo has been declared as 2010 World Car of the Year. Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG stated, 鈥榃e're honoured that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors. After the triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. The car is know for its compact looks from the exterior and the spacious interiors. In India, the car is available in three variants - Petrol, Diesel and Race Variant. The Polo Petrol is powered by a 1.2 liter MPFI engine that churns out 75 horses at 5400 rpm and torque of 110 Nm at 3750 rpm. The Diesel variant comes with a 1.2 Liter CRDI Diesel Engine while the Race variant features a 1.6 Liter R4 CRDI Diesel Engine. According to the 59 jury members, it may not always be necessary to replace the combustion engine with an electric motor and a heavy battery assembly to achieve better efficiency. The BlueMotion models boast of an engine based on the Volkswagen鈥檚 common rail diesel engines. These engines are reportedly the most efficient engines available in the market. It is believed that the Passat BlueMotion can cover a whopping distance of 1600 km on a single full tank of fuel. Thus, these engines can be a boon not only to the pockets but also to the environment and depleting fuel resources. According to Dr Winterkorn, 鈥楤lueMotion is one of the most successful efficiency brands worldwide. The BlueMotion is a tradename for certain car models from the Volkswagen stable which emphasizes on high level of fuel efficiency. The tradename was introduced earlier in 2006 on the Mk4 Polo BlueMotion.
One way or another, then, you can have shifts foisted on you in this car, which is a bit annoying and a mistake that is unlike VW to make. Outright performance feels fast, but doesn鈥檛 take your breath away. Not many have more peak torque than this, though - something that allows the GTI to make short work of the meat of its rev range and makes it easier to drive quickly than most of its rivals. The fact that its ride is fairly moderately tuned, supple even, in Sport mode also makes it particularly well suited to fast, undemanding road driving, although it doesn鈥檛 make it feel soft or inert on a tight racetrack. Here, VW鈥檚 investment in hardware gives the Polo GTI reserves of grip and composure, in both wet and dry conditions, that mark it out as a true driver鈥檚 car. You can lean on the outside wheels as hard as you like through a fast bend without running out of handling balance.
Hustle the car into a slower one on trailed brakes and feel the rear axle arc gently, but usefully wide to neutralise your cornering line. Just as on the Golf GTI, the Polo鈥檚 stability control system isn鈥檛 fully switchable, but the ESP-Sport mode gives you enough freedom to make for a really involving and intrusion-free track drive. It also just about reins in the inevitable consequence of 320Nm at the front wheels when you鈥檙e too keen, yet it does so pretty untidily at times. Ultimately, what results is undoubtedly the best GTI-badged driver鈥檚 car delivered by VW outside of the Golf range. It鈥檚 a hot hatchback with more credibility than any Polo before it. It鈥檚 a proper GTI. It鈥檚 not a car without room for improvement, mind you - and although it鈥檚 exactly the car that Schebsdat and his team intended, it may not be the hot small hatch to best enliven your weekend driving, either.
Cars at the affordable end of the hot hatchback spectrum are at their best when they鈥檙e a bit less grown up than this. Driver thrills that are accessible, performance flavour that鈥檚 abundant and instant, and handling that鈥檚 compelling at real-world-relevant everyday speeds. These are the things that the greatest and most compelling examples do well. That all said, if you would care to drive one of these smaller cars every day, you鈥檇 probably see the appeal in the Polo GTI. Fancy the rally version? DO YOU lament the loss of the Volkswagen WRC team and pine for an opportunity to give it a crack yourself? Well, now you can, with the help of VW Motorsports. To satiate your hankering for rally glory you can purchase a 200kW/400Nm Polo GTI with pumped guards, a five-speed sequential gearbox, full roll cage and permanent all-wheel drive. Built to the FIA standards of the R5 category, the 1320kg Polo GTI R5 will launch from rest to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds despite downsizing to a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. With wider tracks and aero additions, it鈥檚 visually a very different beast to the road car.
It will also make your insurance premiums higher. You also have to be aware that some engine modifications can violate regulations and emission laws. You have to make sure that any modifications to your car are safe and won't disrupt the reliability and stability of the vehicle. Sometimes modified engines are often touchy and require premium fuel. It is easy to get caught up in the whole modification process and end up modifying the car too much. The rule of thumb should be; less is more. Otherwise you will spend huge amounts of money, which could add up to more than the car is worth. Also, if it is over modified it can be hard to sell and most dealers won't offer a deal to do a trade in for the car. Just keep these factors in mind when you are going to modify your car to express your style and personality. Enjoy your new car!
