At a little over $27k, the 2016 Volkswagen Polo GTI isn't just the GTI for those who can't afford a Golf GTI, it's a properly good thing in its own right. But we want to know how it’s going to handle the track here at Sandown Raceway.
One of the most competitively priced and well-specced light hot hatches on sale, the 2016 Polo GTI comes standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera, halogen daytime running lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
There’s also a six-speed manual transmission, tartan sports seats, a red-stripped honeycomb grille, plenty of GTI reminders, a neat rear wing, and dual chrome-tipped exhausts.
It is a touch more expensive than CarAdvice favourite, the Ford Fiesta ST, but it’s cheaper than the feisty Renault Clio RS200.
Under the bonnet is a new turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder, replacing the previous Polo GTI's twin-charged 1.4-litre. And if you go with the manual, you get 141kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
The rest is standard baby hot hatch: five seats, a small boot, and reasonable levels of practicality.
Enough of that though, let's see how it handles the track…
