Super Car Polo

Exterior

 This is the best styled premium hatch. One look at this in person and you have to get hooked. I have owned VWs in the past (Scirocco/Passat) and this one matches those in pleasure to look at.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Great seating, super ergonomics, typical VW controls including smooth stick shift, nothing to complain about

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Since Govt of India mandates some of the parameters for car manufacturers, VW has met those with flying colors. The 1.2 engine is good for peppy acceleration, super smooth and great fuel efficiency. Gearing is appropriate and the car pulls well in low speed driving as well as attain high speeds on the highway. Fuel economy/performance is inversely proportional to the weight of the car. If weight is higher then expect lower performance/efficiency. Thus one should avoid comparing Polo's efficiency or perfromance with light weight tin boxes from other manufacturers. If you put Polo's engine in those cars, they will perform even better.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Handling is excellent on curves and this sits like a rock on the expressway at 140+ kmph. If you need any better handling performance than that, then look to change to wider lower profile tires

Final Words

Having owned VWs in the past, was looking to have one, but could not afford or justify buying any of the current imported versions. VWs announcement to introduce Polo was the best news that I could have come across. Bought one in the first week they started selling it and was lucky to have it delivered close to plan. The Polo has since replaced my earlier drive Ford Fusion 1.6. The Ford's gone to the wife and I don't miss driving it one bit. Anyone who drives the Fusion 1.6 (According to me the #1 Grand Hatch of the Indian road) would know that  any car (1.2 Polo) has to be outstanding to be accepted as as a worthy match for the Ford. And I am glad to say that it certainly is a match for the Fusion, not withstanding the one area (Absolute Power) in which the Fusion has the advantage.

The Polo also has given new opportunities to own a VW and thus rekindling the VW experience with the Scirocco/Passat

Areas of improvement  

VW should sell products based on their own strategy around the world. Is the reason we are finding some silly demarkations of Polo models because some pathetic marketeers think that removing wipers, boot lids, bonnet insulation etc and other standard/safety features can be used to create market segments within the Polo line up? Don't know if these are Indian or German brains at work, but if it is the former, then VW could do well to get rid of them from its management.

More localization may mean lowering of quality. It is apparent on one part on the car - The rear view mirror. I am not talking of the size of the mirror, but rather its functionality. I have seen this mirror performing differently on 3 different cars I tested in the showroom. Only one got this spot on correct by not disturbing the frame of the view when flipping from day to night view setting. My car has it wrong and I have already raised an issue with the dealer.

 

Styling, comfort, fuel economy, handling curves, highway mannersIndianized marketing