Volkswagen Polo GTI

Compact dimensions and a small capacity engine are one thing, but a cheeky, chuckable character and confident performance are quite another. Combine these essential hot hatch factors with near impeccable balance and you have the Polo GTI.

Its sweetly tuned twin-charged 1.4-litre engine provides peppy motivation, enough to see acceleration from rest to 100km/h in the same (6.9 seconds) time as its cult-status comrade, Golf GTI. In-gear acceleration is equally brisk with sharp shifts from the standard seven-speed DSG automatic transmission keeping plenty of torque available whenever the need should arise. And believe me, you'll find any excuse!

Around town, this pent up aggression doesn't make the Polo GTI any less liveable; the 'D' setting more than placid enough for day-to-day duties. In fact, you might find the dual-clutch transmission a little lifeless in certain scenarios with roll-on acceleration at low speeds and dawdles from the lights presenting a brief pause before momentum takes hold. (These are traits typical to most DSG transmissions). But hey, it's great for saving fuel.

Muster some enthusiasm however and the GTI promptly sharpens up, and in 'S' (Sport) or manual mode is borderline hyperactive.  Flick through the cogs from the steering wheel-mounted paddles and you'll soon find yourself whistling through corners at a rate sure to threaten your demerit points.

But it's cornering that the Polo GTI does best, and with Volkswagen's electronically controlled XDL (extended electronic lock) differential distributing torque where and when it's needed – and almost eliminating torque steer -- grip levels are nothing short of phenomenal.  Bear in mind, handling as good as this and the low profile 17-inch Denver alloys do compromise ride quality significantly.

Steering unfortunately isn't as sharp as we'd expect; Volkswagen's electronic power steering system lacking the natural feel offered in more fuel thirsty hydraulic units. On-centre feel is particularly light which can see the little hatch wander through ruts and recesses on poorly kept roads.

Unusually, we also noticed the steering wheel wasn't centred to the seat or instrument cluster, instead cocked inboard by a few degrees.

Aside from the power mirror direction switch also being offset on a peculiar angle, the tartan-clad interior is spartan and typically Germanic. All of Polo's technical wizardry is logical of operation and ergonomic in placement, the driving position also affording excellent all-round visibility.

A generous feature list sees a single-CD tuner with steering wheel remote controls, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors plus air conditioning included as standard while the neat white backlit instruments flank a nifty multi-function display complete with detailed trip computer.

Our five-door test vehicle was bereft of any options (not even metallic paint), but if you're keen to make Polo GTI a little more you, an electric sunroof ($1700), bi-xenon headlamps ($1600), six-CD premium audio package ($770) and heated leather seats ($1900) are available at cost.

Volkswagen also offers a 'Comfort Package' which includes dusk-sensing headlamps, automatic wipers and single-zone climate control for $500.

Up back, boot space is pretty much par-for-par with other Polos in the range but loses some of the nifty underfloor storage thanks to the placement of the car's battery. The spacesaver spare is also located beneath the cargo compartment floor.

So while there's very little not to like our only real qualm with Volkswagen's Polo GTI comes not from the car itself, but the wait to get one. With order times now exceeding six months -- with one acquaintance reporting that his car won't arrive in the country before next year -- you'd want to be patient. But with little else to compete on an even footing – and a price tag that's pretty good value – we're sure most buyers will agree it's worth the wait.

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