JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 3:02 p.m.
This week's press loaner while I'm in Germany is a VW GTI. No, not that one, this is the Polo GTI, an EU-only model that kind of feels like what I think of when I think of GTI
Like the Golf GTI (and, if we're being honest, most VWs), the Polo GTI is MQB-based, but with a smaller, lighter body than the increasingly large Golf models. It also features the Golf GTI's suspension, brakes, DSG trans and a slightly detuned version of the Golf GTI's turbo 2-liter (otherwise it may blow the Golf off the road).
Inside it's basic but nice. VW is still missing a bit with the overuse of touch-sensitive controls, but the Polo features great seats, great ergonomics and overall drives slightly smaller and more urgently than the Golf.
It's kind of the platonic ideal of what my brain thinks of when I hear the letters GTI. It's compact but efficiently spacious, nimble, simple, effective and nice enough you could live with it for quite a while. I bet these would be a hit if VW sent some over our way.
We gotta get Nurburgring data, right? Right?!!? (If anyone says "yes" I get to expense the laps, so help a brother out)
Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/3/24 3:13 p.m.
It almost looks like someone asked AI to make a picture of a Golf GTI–it's pretty close, but something isn't right.
I mean that in a good way, though, because it almost looks more like a Golf GTI than a Golf GTI when it comes to proportions.
rdcyclist GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
6/3/24 3:17 p.m.
Absolutely, YES to data from the 'Ring!
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 3:18 p.m.
Colin Wood said:It almost looks like someone asked AI to make a picture of a Golf GTI–it's pretty close, but something isn't right.
I mean that in a good way, though, because it almost looks more like a Golf GTI than a Golf GTI when it comes to proportions.
The proportions are so good. That flare that starts at the front door seam and continues all the way to the back is really nice IRL.
californiamilleghia UberDork
6/3/24 3:19 p.m.
How much is Benzine these days in Germany ?
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 3:25 p.m.
californiamilleghia said:How much is Benzine these days in Germany ?
About $7.25/gal for the decent stuff and about $6.25/gal for diesel.
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 3:29 p.m.
JG Pasterjak said:californiamilleghia said:How much is Benzine these days in Germany ?
About $7.25/gal for the decent stuff and about $6.25/gal for diesel.
And residential electricity prices are about what you'd payto charge at a commercial EV charging station. $.45-.50 per kWh. I don't even know what electric prices are at EV chargers, but at least the infrastructure seems a little more comprehensive than ours at the moment. I still wasn't confident enough to ask for an EV loaner, though.
Mndsm MegaDork
6/3/24 3:32 p.m.
I mean, now that the golf is a full sized car, the Polo is more "accurate". Truth be told the Up might be the most accurate, but i'm not sure they make that car still, and I don't care enough to find out.
Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/3/24 4:30 p.m.
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 4:34 p.m.
In reply to Colin Wood :
Did you accidentally reverse those cargo capacities? If not this kind of fits the literal definition of "huge if true" and I start looking at grey market Polo GTIs. The grey market is still a thing, right?
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Publisher
6/3/24 4:38 p.m.
Just bring it as a checked bag on your trip home.
Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/3/24 4:50 p.m.
JG Pasterjak said:In reply to Colin Wood :
Did you accidentally reverse those cargo capacities? If not this kind of fits the literal definition of "huge if true" and I start looking at grey market Polo GTIs. The grey market is still a thing, right?
I don't think so, but, to be fair, the European spec sheet for the Polo GTI didn't exactly make it clear if the cargo capacity was in liters or just represented a length. So take my measurements with a grain of salt.
JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
6/3/24 4:56 p.m.
Colin Wood said:JG Pasterjak said:In reply to Colin Wood :
Did you accidentally reverse those cargo capacities? If not this kind of fits the literal definition of "huge if true" and I start looking at grey market Polo GTIs. The grey market is still a thing, right?
I don't think so, but, to be fair, the European spec sheet for the Polo GTI didn't exactly make it clear if the cargo capacity was in liters or just represented a length. So take my measurements with a grain of salt.
European volume specs are in salt now? Just when I thought I had the metric system figured out...
preach GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/3/24 5:00 p.m.
I would pimp a Polo R in a second.
vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
6/3/24 7:13 p.m.
yes
preach GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/3/24 7:41 p.m.
...
DeadSkunk (Warren) MegaDork
6/3/24 8:05 p.m.
So the Polo is basically the same size as a Hyundai Venue for comparison. Not exactly a small car by my standards, but about as small as anything currently offered in the US. Too bad we'll never see it here, or the Golf any longer.
kb58 UltraDork
6/3/24 8:22 p.m.
JG Pasterjak said:European volume specs are in salt now? Just when I thought I had the metric system figured out...
At least it's not in stones... a real thing in the UK
jgrewe Dork
6/3/24 9:07 p.m.
It looks like the Polo GTI is about 5" bigger than the original Rabbit in every direction.
Over 1000 lbs heavier though!
Coniglio Rampante Reader
6/3/24 9:09 p.m.
As much as I'd love to see VW bring this stateside, recent history paints a sadpicture. Would 'Muricans flock to a Polo when similar sized vehicles failed? (Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Mazda 2, etc.)
Get that 'Ring data!
spandak Dork
6/3/24 10:52 p.m.
It is a shame cars like this don't sell here. This looks like a ton of fun
Also sad that the Golf is gone. I had a rental in the UK last year for a week. I think it was a 1.4t with a 6 speed. Rad little car. Great torque and mid 50mpg I think. That might be imperial gallons. Either way, great mileage. Shame no one buys these. I'd love a used one in a few years (I'm part of the problem)
MiniDave HalfDork
6/3/24 11:10 p.m.
My brother lives in England, he has an Up! GTi.......I'd love to have one of those - I like small cars that are fun to drive!
stuart in mn MegaDork
6/4/24 8:13 a.m.
MiniDave said:My brother lives in England, he has an Up! GTi.......I'd love to have one of those - I like small cars that are fun to drive!
I was just watching a Mighty Car Mods video last night, after much effort and expense they converted a regular Up! into a GTi- apparently the only way to get one legally in Australia. It's a cool little car.
DeadSkunk (Warren) MegaDork
6/4/24 8:15 a.m.
The Golf is still available in Canada, just not here. With the 25 year import rules you can also look at bringing in cars from Mexico. They get all kinds of European and South American stuff. I spent a Saturday afternoon browsing Fiats, Peugeots and Citroens in dealerships in Saltillo almost 20 years ago.
preach GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/4/24 5:37 p.m.
I would also pimp the crap out of this:
