The ultimate daily? My upgraded Polo GT TSI stage 1 journey

The resulting power/torque target was in the area of 135bhp/225Nm .

BHPian velocirpator recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Back in 2022, when I bought one of the last Polo GT TSIs to be released in India, I knew this day would come. When it was time to look back on those years of amazing driving experiences in this fantastic car, and level it up. But being in the NCR region, there aren’t too many options of reputed and reliable workshops that could do the job. One name that came up consistently though was Autopsyche, and so – on the recommendation of a neighbor who had experience with them – I made the call.

My aim was to primarily keep it sleeper, to unlock a decent bump in power and torque (I reckoned ~20%), and to make it a whole lot grippier and fun to drive. My budget was around 5 lacs, all in. So I decided on a relatively conservative approach: a stage 1 ECU remap (Code6) along with a lower restriction air filter (ITG) and a larger turbo inlet pipe (Racingline). For a more planted ride, I went with a full suspension overhaul (ST Adjustable Coilovers), a front anti-roll bar (Eibach) and rear swing bar (Ultra Racing.) I swapped out the stock wheels and tyres for 17-inch Lenso gunmetal rims, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 205/45 ZR 17 tyres. (S)Topping it all, I upgraded the brakes to a 288mm OEM big brake kit, with J-hook rotors and Textar brake pads.

I did mull going to Stage 2 (a relatively incremental cost,) which would deliver the bigger horsepower and torque numbers, but I’d have to sacrifice the catalytic converter with a downpipe. This isn’t something I was open to as It’d go against my grain – despite being a petrolhead, I wouldn’t be able to live with the knowledge of adding gratuitously to NCR’s notorious air pollution. So I’d have to make the most of the Stage 1 limits.

Interestingly with the tyres, these particular Michelin PS 4s were virtually unavailable at the time. I was keen on the slightly lower profile tyres, and on the Pilot Sport variant (not Primacy, which is great – but more for regular city rides.) We checked with a few places, and I was at one point quoted Rs 73,500 for a set of four. Fortunately, I was able to source them from a super helpful dealer in Bombay – thanks to a gem of a friend who happens to be an editor of a kick-ass car magazine – for 51,900 (including shipping to Delhi.)

The resulting power/torque target was in the area of 135bhp/225Nm (no dyno testing; these were the numbers Code6 shared.) The real kicker however, was the upgraded suspension, braking and wheels – making the entire experience way more planted. And holy horsepower – it didn’t disappoint!

The first difference I noticed after starting her up, was that air intake whistle when the turbo spooled up – a glorious harmony on the car’s otherwise delicious engine note. But the thing that really plastered a huge grin on my face was the virtual absence of body roll – cornering and lane changing is now a world apart from the stock experience, resulting in a way more confident driving experience. It’s like the car’s personality graduated from ‘feisty teenager’ to ‘elite athlete’.

It’s been barely a day since the upgrades, and I feel like I’ve bought an altogether new car. There was one brief moment a week ago, when I flirted with booking the recently-launched Polo GTI (another beast altogether, for sure). But I’m glad that better sense prevailed – a bunch of fun for a fraction of the price!

A big shout out to the good car surgeons at Autopsyche. They provided extensive and practical guidance for the Stage 1 tune and handling upgrades, with rational recommendations and patient explanations of options for the coilovers, anti-roll bars, and the big brake kit. They stocked many parts, offered alternatives, and handled one particular shipping delay with consistent feedback and updates. The shop workers also did a thorough job putting it all together, and I received photos and videos of the process with helpful explanations of progress. The result? A smooth experience resulting in a superbly tuned car, delivered within the decided timeframe and cost.

I’m now entirely happy with our two-car household – we recently went EV with the 7-seater BYD eMAX 7, and now with this little pocket petrol rocket there is finally Balance In The Force.

Finally, a few before/after shots:

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.