Hot hatchbacks really are a big deal in India of late. People love hatchbacks for their compact size which helps in easy maneuverability and hatchbacks are practical for everyday use as well. Around two decades ago, a few Automobile manufacturers in Europe decided to combine the practicality of a hatchback with the power of a large sedan, creating the hot hatchback, and in the process, converted a few normal people into car enthusiasts.
It now seems like the hot hatchback spirit of that age is coming back again and this time, to India. Volkswagen, Fiat and Maruti Suzuki have played a large role in the bringing of hot hatchbacks to the Indian market. Fiat decided to bring in their Abarth powered hatchbacks and hence Volkswagen too decided to showcase their GTI hatchbacks to the Indian market.At the 2016 Indian Auto Expo, Volkswagen had a little surprise for enthusiasts. Volkswagen had decided to go all in and displayed the Volkswagen Polo GTI, which was definitely a crowd puller at the Volkswagen Pavilion.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI is Volkswagen’s first global performance model and it wasn’t just a display at the Volkswagen Pavilion. It will actually be launched later this-year.
Up front, the Volkswagen Polo GTI featured a honey comb grill with the Volkswagen and GTI badges taking prominent places on the grill. The headlamps featured stylish LED daytime running lights and the fog lamps with cornering function were also ultra stylish.
The Polo GTI displayed at the Auto Expo featured 17-inch Parabolic alloy wheels which took the design of the hot hatchback to another level altogether. The 2-door coupe design only enhances the style factor. At the rear, the tinted tail lamps and the GT rear end, complete with the twin exhaust pipes makes it look really hot indeed.
A hot hatchback is not fit to be called a hot hatch if it doesn’t feature a powerful, revv happy engine. Thankfully, the Volkswagen Polo GTI features a powertrain which can put most large sedans to shame. Powered by a 4-cylinder, 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 192 PS of max power, the Polo GTI is capable of accelerating from 0-100 kmph in 6.7 seconds and will go on to touch a top speed of 236 kmph.
The Volkswagen Polo GTI isn’t just about performance and good looks, but it also has many nice features, safety included. Airbags, ESP, hill hold function, ABS with EBD etc. makes the Polo GTI a very safe car to drive fast in.
The interiors of the Polo GTI too are very sporty, complete with a flat bottom chunky steering wheel, Bucket seats, Jacara upholstery, GTI badging everywhere including dashboard inserts, carpet stitching in red and stainless steel door sill protectors with GTI inscription. The pedals are finished in aluminum.
I really cannot wait for the Volkswagen Polo GTI to be launched in India, as I feel it is the hottest hatchback we have been promised so far.
To read more on Volkswagen Polo, Click here
Also see: 6th Gen 2018 Volkswagen Polo. What It Might Look Like?
GALLERY: Volkswagen Polo GTI
Image Credit: IndiaBestCars
