Reference Auto

Volkswagen has finally come out with the Polo GT TDI at Rs 8.08 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) but the steep pricing, even for a diesel car, isn’t going to augur well for Volkswagen and the company is also banking on the ‘crossbreed’ of a hatch and sports car, terming it the Cross Polo.

The Polo GT TDI is propelled by a powerful 1.6 litre TDI engine, which is offered with the Vento and Skoda Rapid.

The Volkswagen Polo GT TDI offers 105 PS power and 250 Nm torque, making it arguably the most powerful diesel hatchback in the country.

The diesel engine is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox, which is similar to the one offered in the Rapid and Vento.

The Polo GT TDI is believed to have an ARAI-certified mileage figure of 19.78 km per hour. The GT TDI is likely to reach from zero to 100 in a matter of 10 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 178 km per hour.

Similar to the petrol GT model, the Polo GT TDI comes with a litany of equipment such as climate control, a multi-function vehicle info display for driver, remote central locking armed with engine immobiliser with floating code and anti-pinch power windows.

There are also lane change indicators, dual airbags, ABS, rear defogger and wash wipe, front and rear fog lamps, a double din Bluetooth, leather wrapped steering wheel, SD card and USB enabled stereo with steering mounted controls, gear knob and handbrake, 12V power outlet in centre console, chrome interior trim along with aluminium pedal cluster.

The Volkswagen Polo GT TDI will come in three shades – Candy White, Flash Red and Deep Black Pearl.

Despite the price being on the higher side, car buffs wanting a high-end hatch could find this most powerful hatchback suitable for their needs.

The hatchback Cross Polo carries a price tag of Rs 7.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Cross Polo would come in a 1.2 litre diesel engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. The Volkswagen Cross Polo is offered with a 75 PS 1.2 TDI engine from the diesel Polo. The car is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission.

It can reach from 0 to 100 km an hour in 16 seconds and has a top speed around 180 km per hour, which is the same as the diesel Polo.

The Cross Polo also has fresh bumpers, body cladding, silver painted mirrors, 15-inch alloy wheels along with silver roof rails. The Cross Polo sales have already started.

So, with a more powerful diesel Polo GT TDI (at a steep price though) and a crossover hatch (the Cross Polo), would buyers flock for these new category cars or would the price be a stumbling block in the Polo’s sales?