Volkswagen’s 3 new hot and FAST hatches 2010

There was a time when I sat in my aunt’s white Volkswagen Beetle, I could barely see over the metal dash, and in the centre was KDK miniature fan mounted onto it, which swivels left to right. There was no air-conditioning, no stereo and noisy as well. NVH was not considered in the 70’s but the Beetle, had two things going for it, an air-cooled engine, and a nice cool movie made after it called Herbie! I only managed to drive my aunt’s car a few times, and it was not a very pleasant drive. That was possibly my only recollection of being inside a Volkswagen. The memory of that has sat in my mind for as long as I can remember till last week, when Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VW) took me for my first TSI and DSG Drive Experience.

It was a drive to Tg.Jara Resort in Trengganu and VW had 3 cars for the media to test drive. A mixture of highway and off-highway roads led the journey. The new Polo, Golf and Scirocco were the superstars of the event. We departed early in the morning, and this is my story.

I cannot recall much of the differing car’s interior but I must say it was one of the best drives I have ever had. The revs were climbing so quickly, that you hardly had the time to locate the buttons for the stereo or the air-conditioning. Your hands were planted onto the wheel and all I wanted to do was to find out when the speedometer will ever stop climbing. It was sheer acceleration and speed that kept my eyes peered to the roads, my head stuck to the headrest and adrenalin rushing through my brain wondering if I was dreaming or did VW just created a new pocket rocket! This car is no-sh!t Sherlock! ( in relation to the definition of being awesome! )

The TSI engines are award winning engines as it is a combination of reduced displacement, with direct injection, intelligent engine boosting that enables high performance whilst keeping emissions and fuel consumptions low. TSI engines are the future of engine developments and would be followed soon by other car manufacturers. The last I heard of anyone in Malaysia having a Supercharger and a Turbocharger in an engine was when I was riding with my dad in a Toyota Levin Group A rally car, and boy was it quick, but that was in way back 1985. Bringing myself ‘Back to the Future’, it is the birth of new sort of engine that will smoke a lot of other cars trying to catch it!

The inevitable difference by VW is with their Direct Shift Gearbox, also famously known as DSG. I would have called it ‘dam smart gearbox’, but that would not have helped manufacturers much in terms of marketing. The DSG gearbox is probably the most advance gearbox for any production car. It is dual clutch type gearbox, and is fully automatic or semi-manual that has two gearboxes running as a single unit, to give faster shifts and also to reduce any torque slip as it has no conventional torque convertor. It also runs on a dry sump, hence no gear oils are ever required hence no oil change too. These gearboxes were prominent in race cars during the early 80s and today; DSG has come a long way in terms of development and engineering. It is the gearbox that one should test to comprehend the statement, ‘it changes like an automatic gearbox, but still gives you the sounds and feel of a manual gearbox’! I would not be able to describe it in any other way. You need to test it to understand that there is a nice downshift and upshift rumble running through the transmission each time it kicks up or down.

The Polo

This is their 5th generation model and not as ‘minty’ as the Polo sweet, but this baby sure packs a punch. It has 105PS on tap, coupled with a TSI engine, but only has a displacement of only 1.2l under the hood. Priced at 108,888, it was awarded as the World Car of the Year as well as the Car of The Year 2010 for design, performance and technology. The car is equipped with a DSG 7-speed gearbox and the spirit of driving would be included whilst driving this Polo. It delivers 175Nm of torque and has a wide torque range of 1,550-4100rpm.

To get this car moving is almost effortless. This car just goes when you ‘pedal to the metal’. I was amazed by the sheer acceleration of the Polo from standstill. Despite being only a 1.2l, the turbocharger delivers impressive performance by force air induction from low to high end. The handling is excellent with its 15” tires hugging the roads even at high speeds. Suspension setup has the right mix for hard cornering and smooth driving on the highways and back roads. It is an economical car as it only consumes a mere 5.3litres per 100km and emits 124g of CO2 per kilometer. It is RON95 compliant and has a capacity of a 45litre petrol tank. It does a 0-100kmph in 9.7secs, simply amazing for an automatic car.

It was also awarded a coveted 5 stars in the Euro NCAP comprehensive testing. Airbags are located at the front for both driver and passenger. Curtain airbags a plus point for a car in this segment are also equipped for the front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front. ISOFIX child seat anchorage system is available as standard. The exterior also has an extended pedestrian protection designed onto the Polo. This car was developed with safety in mind for the people inside and outside as well.

Interior packaging is nice and simple. Comfort levels are good and leg room is excellent in the cabin. The steering is in leather wrappings, with radio buttons to enable ease of driving. The gear knob and handbrake are also in leather, but the seats are fabric. The interior has anti-scratch materials all around the doors and dash area. Simple and yet functional in design, the Polo would appeal to the general public without fuss, and it is also equipped with a climatic semi-automatic air conditioning system ; a first for a car in this segment.

The brakes on the Polo are excellent as well, as it is an all round disc brake setup with ventilated front discs. The car holds the road very well, and it will profoundly give you the confidence in driving. It makes driving so easy, and never had I imagined that a small little 1.2l engine can deliver so much punch. The word to describe it would be a little pocket rocket. For the value that is being offered, the Polo is good value for money, not only would you be getting a nice hatch, but a powerful and yet an economical car.

The Golf

The Golf has sold more than 26 million units worldwide since its launch in 1974. It is a VW’s best selling model and defining its own segment – the Golf Class.

Emulating the success of the GTi model, this Golf is a new line up to VW cars with a different displacement under the hood. The new model Golf is equipped with a 1.4l TSI engine that pushes 160PS on tap, and priced affordably at RM148,888. Named the World Car of the Year 2009, it was also awarded the highest 5 star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test safety requirements.

This Golf is the same size as the 2.0L model, and has the same entire outlook except for some minor differing details such as the rims, the usual red livery lines of the GTI model, and different front fog lamps. This car still carries the excellent basis of the 2.0L model for combining driving pleasure with low fuel consumptions, and also enjoying a cheaper road tax with the introduction of the new 1.4L model! 0-100kmph in less than 8 secs, and the top speed is maxed out at 220kmph. The 1.4L Golf has the most powerful engine at 160PS and highest torque of 240Nm in its class. This car only consumes a mere 6 litres per 100km and emits only 139g of CO2 per kilometer. It runs a twin charged engine, means it has a Supercharger and a Turbocharger unit coupled into this hot hatch. Imagine, putting an additional water pump into your water tank in your house, and installing a water jet at all the main taps! You are going to get some serious water pressure! The definition of a twin charged engine is almost at best as to how I am able to describe it to a non-discerning car person!

The interior is uncluttered and everything is neatly in place. The seats do not have the red stitching like the GTI but it has the same comfort levels. You will feel neatly tucked in whilst negotiating the tight bends, and also the rear cabin sits great even tall occupants. The glovebox has a cooling system to keep items cool. The centre console has a very unique feature of twin cup holders with a slotted in bottle opener! So it is a hip and young cool car for the car enthusiast to enjoy a nice soft drink whilst on the drive.

The handling of the Golf is far superior compared to the Polo, but both emulate the same feel and driving capabilities. As the drive took us along back roads, it was a close match up between the Polo and the Golf, but one can feel the difference in torques when you hit beyond 140kmph. The Golf has more punch on the higher end. The Golf has paddle shifters to give the driver full optimization of a manual type transmission car. Shifting up the 7 speed DSG gears with the twin charged engine is pure exhilaration. And I dare say that this is car is one of its kind for a car in this class segment. The car is also equipped with Twin Rear Exhaust Pipes that gives you the buzz when you accelerate.

This car hugs the corners really sharp, as it is equipped with an Electronic Differential Lock EDI, and an Electronic Stabilization Programme ESP that helps on anti-slip and counter steering assistance. This car makes any idiot driver a superstar! So if you are trying to go fast around a bend on full throttle, this car will help you to reduce slippage round the bend on the inside tire by killing wheel spin, and countering the steering if the tail is slightly on the edge, and also the ESP will help to make this car steer. ABS is standard and electronically controlled with electronic brake pressure distribution EBD coupled brake assist makes this car stop in a jiffy. The brakes are superbly good, and with lots of fast driving there was no brake fading or brake judder during hard stopping. Making it a fast and safe car on tap, the car has curtain airbags for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front. Added with the front airbags for both front passengers, a knee airbag is located at the driver’s side.

For an additional of RM7,000 customers can add the ‘Light and Sound Package’. It features of Bi-Xenon headlights with integrated turn signal indicators, static and dynamic bending lights system; front fog lights, headlight cleaning system and MEDIA-IN USB/iPOD media interface.

The Scirocco

The Scirocco has been in the market since 1974. The compact sports coupe has been the most successful Volkswagen in its segment. The Scirocco is currently being offered here, but in a Sport 210PS with a 6 speed DSG gearbox. Now VW is offering a new variant with a 1.4L TSI engine, same version as the new Golf 1.4L TSI, with a DSG 7-Speed Direct Shift gearbox. The beauty of this variant is that it has a smaller displacement that will give you a cheaper road tax, and costs only RM188,888. It is far cheaper than the 2.0L version, and with a smaller displacement, the Scirocco emits out less CO2, only a mere 147g per kilometer, and consumes only 6.3 litres per 100km.

The engineering of the engine is the same as the Golf, as it is the same TSI engine and DSG gearbox. The car has a strong torque of 240Nm from 1,500-4,500rpm. Now you can choose either to have the 160PS Twin Charged Engine with 7-Speed DSG gearbox or the 210PS Turbocharged TSI Engine. If looks were the only deciding factor, then one would not be able to decide. Both shapes and body are identical, except for very minor details which I too would not be able to notice. All features are practically the same except for the wheels, whereby the 1.4L variants runs on 17”s and the 2.0L runs on 18”s.

The Scirocco sits lower than the Polo and Golf, and has a better stance round corners. The car hugs the corners pretty sharply as you turn in during high speeds. Under highway driving, the rear is slightly bumpier, but it is also attributed to the stronger rigid body as it is a 2 door coupe. Safety in mind is essential in the Scirocco as well with two front air bags, side airbags and the rear comes with curtain airbags included. An additional feature is that it has a deactivation for the airbags in the front for both driver and passenger. The car also comes with an ESP with counter steering assistance, along with electronically controlled ABS with electronic brake pressure distribution EBD and brake assist. The steering wheel is also collapsible during collision same as all the other Polo and Golf, and has a speed sensitive steering wheel. Traction control is standard, along with a Hill-Hold control function.

The Scirocco comes with paddle shifters on the 3 spoke leather steering wheel. The car is a very different machine compared to the Golf or Polo as it has a better coefficient of drag in terms of aerodynamics, and has sleeker body curves. The driver sits lower in the seats, and has more cockpit view than the Golf or Polo. The car is indeed a looker and looks good even on standstill. Driving characteristics are very similar to the Golf, however room space is slightly more skewed to the front occupants. An average height adult will not have any issues in the Scirocco sitting at the back. It will ride corners better as it has a wider wheel track, and also a very short rear overhang, that will give you a very nice squat around bends.

3 Hatches, Polo, Golf & Scirocco

The 3 VW variants have similar award winning engines called the TSI and also the infamous DSG gearbox. The only separator between Volkswagen and the rest of the segment is called technological advantage. VW understood what makes a car exceptional and where everyone else has gone for bigger displacement, they went the other way. They made a car easy to drive, efficient and yet still give the excitement of a manual car. VW has jumped far ahead of its competitors as the cars are far superior in engine and transmission developments. One would need to jump into one of these babies to feel the difference. No one can drive a car fast if it does not handle or stop well and change gears fast enough. Admittedly I was taken by surprise when I jumped into the cars for the media drive as I expected it to be fast, but not that FAST! Given a choice, I would love the Scirocco shape with the Golf’s 4 doors at the Polo’s price. Unfortunately life does not come easy, but they all have one thing in common though ; TSI & DSG. Now my thoughts and memory of Volkswagen have changed altogether and Herbie never had it this good!

To make the ownership more enjoyable, all new Volkswagen’s come with a 5 year warranty with unlimited mileage at no extra costs. The first car manufacturer ever to offer something like this here, testimony to VW’s confidence and commitment to their tagline ‘DAS AUTO’.

Log onto www.volkswagen.com.my or why not just drop by any of their showrooms to get a test drive today. Do remember to buckle up, and remember that spirit of driving is not included till after the test drive! - iK

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