“The VW Polo GTI’s
  turbocharged 1.8-litre
  engine marks it out
  as the most powerful
  production Polo ever.
  It’s a full four-seater
  too. And it looks
  every inch the GTI.
  The question is…
  Do you feel lucky?”

A GROWING NUMBER of motorists today want to do the 'right' thing: drive an economical car. But nearly every car you can buy will top 120mph; many will go to twice the legal limit. Easily. They all accelerate quicker than cars have ever done. Think about it: they're sold on performance. When did you last see a car advertisement that didn't feature a car snaking through some spectacular mountainous scenery at the kind of speed that is enticingly against the law and undeniably dangerous?

It's all a bit like the infuriating 50mph coned sections of the M25. In our neck of the woods, the M26 has been restricted to 40mph for some time. As one should, you're restricting your speed to the posted limit — but cars are still flashing past you at 60mph and even 70mph. 'They're getting away with it,' goads the provocative little voice in your head. 'Why don't you speed up, too?'

Economy, luckily, is in fashion. So the best way to beat the provoc-ateur in your head is to think how much petrol you're saving. Para-doxically so, too, is performance in fashion. So, is it possible to have a foot in both camps? Maybe. Volkswagen's solution could be the Polo GTI.

Traditionally a supermini, it's now roomy enough to genuinely carry four adults and comes in both three- and five-door bodystyles. Like its big brother — the Golf GTI — the Polo GTI has well-considered kerb appeal that owes much to its iconic sibling. In fact, with a casual glance you might easily mistake the Polo GTI for its big brother. They look — quite deliberately — almost identical. And it's only when you can see them together that you can really see the difference in size.

VW has employed vital styling cues from the brilliant Golf GTI to give the Polo an unmistakable GTI-ness. Key styling touches include the characteristic 'telephone-dial' 5-hole pattern alloy wheels, red brake callipers, lowered suspension, a deep front apron, black honeycomb pattern grille piped in red — sporting the coveted GTI badge — and
slim black side sills. A subtle roof spoiler tops off the tail, above a larger rear bumper and twin exhaust pipes.

Swing open one of the wide front doors (we tested the three-door version) and the first thing you notice is the smart Golf GTI-style 'Interlagos' chequered tartan-look cloth upholstery covering the seriously supportive and well-bolstered sports seats. Windows are electrically-operated (only the front ones; the rear windows are fixed panels) and both have one-shot auto up/down functions. Door mirrors are heated and electrically-adjustable and there's semi-automatic air conditioning, a multifunction computer, radio/MP3-compatible CD with eight speakers and a front-loading 6-CD autochanger, a three-spoke sports steering wheel embossed with the GTI badge and wrapped in perforated black leather, leather-trimmed gear knob gear, gaiter and handbrake grip (all with red stitching), a tyre pressure warning system and aluminium-look pedals.

Height-adjustable front seatbelts and front and side airbags are pro-vided for the driver and front passenger. The Polo GTI is also fitted with an electronic stability/traction control programme including an electronic differential lock, as well as the accepted anti-lock Braking System with Hydraulic Brake Assist. And the Polo has a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The interior uses an attractive mix of textures and materials and is obviously put together with both care and attention to detail. Ergo-nomics are excellent; smart instrument pack and silver-rimmed dials that are a picture of clarity, the trim column stalks sleek and positive-acting. The on-board trip computer (time, range, average mpg, external temperature, etc.) is operated by a button on the tip of the right-hand stalk. The clean-cut layout spells 'quality'.

The compact centre stack is set high, so everything is reachable and non-distracting for the driver. A nice touch is the pop-out 'jack-in-the-box' cupholder that can be adjusted to hold a variety of different sized cups. The dial-and-forget air conditioning is especially effective: polo bears — sorry, polar bears — will be right at home. A handy recessed and partitioned rubber-lined open shelf runs along both lower sections of the fascia. And it wouldn't be a 'true-blue' GTI without Volkswagen's trademark blue instrument lighting.

The perforated leather sports wheel — generously adjustable for both height and reach — features red cross-stitching and is a pleasure to use. Indeed for many customers, the smart cabin and the cachet of any VW GTI model count as much in the Polo GTI's favour as do the car's dynamics and performance.

The driving position is spot-on — helped by lots of seat height ad-justment — and the instant you settle into the bolstered, sports-style front seats you feel in control. Seat controls are manual but they operate smoothly and there is, literally, masses of legroom for the front passenger. The integral lumbar support adds to their comfort. Not only do they hug you firmly (but not too firmly), they are also very comfort-able. Talking of seats — deserving a mention are the accommodating drawers fitted under the front seats: ideal for valuables, your hand-held SatNav, handbag or the like. Other thoughtful touches include bespoke non-slip rubber liners for the plethora of storage cubbies which lift out easily for cleaning. Large glass areas ensure excellent visibility in all directions — a bonus when parking.

Access to the back seats is easy through the wide opening doors and convenient tilt 'n' slide front seats. The outer rear seats are shaped and it's comfy without crowding for two, although there is room for a third passenger in the centre. The backrest angle is good and head-room and legroom in the back is good, and there's ample space under the back of the front seats for the passengers' feet. The tailgate opens high for easy loading of the unexpectedly voluminous and well-shaped 270-litre boot. Fold the 60:40 split rear seats and this extends to an extremely practical 1,030 litres.

Under the Polo's bonnet can be found Volkswagen's well-proven, turbo-charged 1.8-litre petrol engine. This four-cylinder 1,781cc powerplant produces 148bhp with 162lb ft of torque on tap from under 2,000rpm. The 0-62mph sprint takes a crisp 8.2 seconds. Okay, not the fastest in class but more than quick enough when combined with its nip-and-tuck handling. It tops out close to double the UK's legal limit: 134mph. And it's no petroholic, either. Our test car spent the majority of its 400 test miles in and out of London and still registered an overall test average of 32mpg. The official figures are 26.2, 36.2 and 46.3 for urban, com-bined and extra-urban. Co2 emissions are 186g/km.

With all the GTI trappings, you'd expect a similarly sporty drive to that of its polished Golf sibling. The Polo GTI's suspension is lowered by 15mm and set up on the stiff side to maximise chassis responsiveness. The speed-sensitive power-assisted steering is fine and pressing on the GTI is eager to turn — when you do there's minimal body roll. The wheel-at-each-corner stance and 205/45 rubber means grip is consist-ently reassuring. In action, the Polo GTI feels quick, nimble and chuck-able.

The five-speed manual transmission benefits from a slick change action that's handy when you're keeping the turboed four-pot on the boil and exploiting the beefy torque. Thanks to peak torque delivered from 1,950rpm, mid-range performance is impressive, the GTI feeling punchy and responsive. Brakes, too, are really up to scratch and the front (ventilated) and rear discs deliver very effective stopping power. Pedal feel is, likewise, good, and the clutch well-weighted.

All in all the Polo 1.8T GTI is a good looking, well-equipped hot hatch package, made more desirable by the undeniable cachet of the VW GTI label. While there may be sharper handling and quicker hot hatches on the market — and, for the record, on both points the 1.8T really has nothing to be ashamed of — the safe handling Polo GTI more than makes up for this by being better built and more comfortable than most of its peers. Potential owners will appreciate the image, refinement and VW brand reliability. For most, that alone will be more than enough to seal the deal.

Volkswagen Polo 1.8T GTI 3-door | £15,022 Maximum speed: 134mph | 0-62mph: 8.2 seconds Overall test MPG: 32mpg | Power: 148bhp | Torque: 162lb ft CO2 186g/km | VED Band F £205 | Insurance group 13 Visit Volkswagen's website