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Volkswagen has launched the Polo GT TSI today @ 7.99 Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). A competitor pricing sheet has been included as the 2nd image of this news article. The GT TSI replaces the erstwhile Polo 1.6L Petrol. 

This range-topping Polo is powered by a turbo-charged, direct-injection 1,197cc petrol engine. Power rating stands at 104 BHP (@ 5,000 rpm) with max torque of 175 Nm starting at a low 1,500 rpm, and staying all the way to 4,100 rpm. In comparison, the regular 3-cylinder Polo 1.2 makes do with 74 BHP (@ 5,400 rpm) and 110 Nm torque (@ 3,750 rpm). Mated to the engine is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox with 7 ratios. 

Things are suddenly looking up for petrol-heads. The fun & well-priced Toyota Liva 1.5L recently made its debut (official review), the Polo GT TSI is here and Fiat is poised to launch the Punto Abarth sometime in the future (news article).

 What you'll like about the Polo TSI:

• Enthusiastic, high-revving 1.2L TSI engine. An excellent performer

• 7-speed DSG gearbox is a flawless match to the sporty motor

• A well-built European hatchback with clean, timeless styling

• Mature suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package

• Safety kit includes electronic stability program, hill-hold feature, dual airbags and ABS

• Accommodating 280 liter boot

What you won't like about the Polo TSI:

• Long-term reliability concerns over the DQ200 DSG transmission

• Cutting-edge engine & gearbox tech make it a pricey hatchback

• Exterior is indistinguishable from the regular Polo. No sporty bodykit (à la Liva TRD & Polo SR)

• Ordinary rear bench legroom. Comparable to the likes of the Maruti Ritz

• Vento's superb 1.6L turbo-diesel unavailable on Polo. Superior torque, economy and practicality

• VW's substandard dealership & service experiences. Maruti / Hyundai networks are more customer-centric

VW is said to be planning a launch of the Polo 1.2L TSI in the coming weeks. The 1.2 TSI will be the range topper of the Polo range, replacing the now discontinued (and poor selling) Polo 1.6L petrol. 

The high-tech turbocharged TSI petrol puts out 104 BHP (@ 5,000 rpm) and 175 Nm of torque @ a diesel-like 1,550 rpm. In comparison, the Vento's 1.6L petrol engine churns out a lower 153 Nm of torque @ 3,800 rpm.

In the interest of economy & efficiency, downsizing is now an international trend. VW didn't have a choice as the 1.2L TSI is the global replacement of the older 1.6L petrol.

Expect to see this engine, along with the 1.4L TSI (currently powering the Jetta), make its way to other cars from the VW Group (including Skoda cars). 

The Polo 1.2L TSI qualifies for the lower 12% excise duty slab. Don't expect a low price though; the direct-injection engine has cutting-edge tech and will come at a premium. VW's regular Polo 1.2L SR package is priced at Rs 6.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and you can expect the TSI to be positioned quite a bit higher. 

Additionally, the Polo 1.2L TSI will have a DSG Automatic on offer. We can't say that's good news as VW's 7-Speed DSG is known to be troublesome. Petrol automatic hatchbacks don't generate any sales volume either. 

Still, it's a good time for petrol-heads, what with the fun & well-priced Toyota Liva 1.5L, the upcoming Fiat Punto Abarth and this Polo TSI.

What we're most excited about is the VW Polo 1.6L TDI. While information is still at the rumours stage, we've heard fairly reliable sources mention the possibility. A Polo with the Vento's 1.6L diesel will be torquey, fun & fuel-efficient!

Polo sales have settled down with VW having sold 8,200 units across January and February this year. Interestingly, sales were split fairly evenly between the Diesel (1970 units) and Petrol (1657 units) variants in Feb. That's unlike the Swift which generates 75% of its volumes from the diesel. Just goes to indicate how unimpressive the Polo's 1.2L diesel motor is. 

Picture Credit : BHPian Nikhil Mohandas

Europe’s biggest car manufacturer Volkswagen has discontinued production of the Polo 1.6L 104 BHP variant. Motorbeam.com broke the story earlier today. While sources insist that the 1.6L Polo ended its run due to poor market demand, it could also be due to the fact that a high-powered petrol engine can give the model a "gas guzzler" image. After all, the Polo 1.6L costs VW nothing in additional engineering or logistical costs; the same engine is used in the mechanically-identical Vento sedan. 

After the Polo was launched with 1.2L petrol and diesel variants, the Polo 1.6L was eagerly awaited by car enthusiasts across the country. Since the turn of the year, Polo has been shipping about 3,100 units a month. Despite being priced very closely to the 1.2L petrol, the Indian buyer seems to have been more impressed by the 1.2 petrol which pips the 1.6 in fuel efficiency and consequently, resale value.

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