VW Conducts GTI Experiential Drives Across The Country

Volkswagen is conducting experiential drives for the GTI the is part of a customer engagement program that would help prospective customers to get familiarised with the car. Volkswagen introduced the GTI in India in November 2016. The GTI is a three-door hot hatch and the VW India's halo model for India. While customers get to drive the car on the road, the go-kart part is where it gets interesting. They are piloted around a tight go-kart circuit by experienced riders of the VW Motorsport team to give them an idea of the dynamic capabilities of the GTI. 

While the GTI might look similar to the Polo GT, there is a substantial list of changes to differentiate the two, the most important being the three-door bodyshell. The front bumper is different and sportier. The headlamps are all-LED units with DRL's and a red stripe that run across the honeycomb grille – a GTI signature. Then there are the 16-inch alloys and twin chrome-tipped exhausts for that understated sportiness.

The interiors are similar to the Polo GT but get sporty overtones like the flat-bottom steering wheel and handbrake lever wrapped in leather with red stitching and pedals finished in brushed stainless steel. The seats get more bolstering with the customary GTI red striped fabric inserts. The interior space is similar to the Polo GT as is the boot space.

The GTI gets a turbocharged 1.8-litre four cylinder motor that puts out 192PS @ 5400-6200rpm and 250Nm of torque @ 1250-5300rpm. It is mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and features paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel. The GTI can go from 0-100kmph in 7.2 seconds and maxes out at 233kmph. Fuel efficiency according to ARAI is 16.34kmpl. The suspension is setup for daily driving but is sporty enough for some quick laps around the go-kart track.

We did get to drive the GTI at the IndiKarting track in Kharadi, Pune. The 1.8-litre engine is a gem – immensely tractable and docile when you are pottering around in traffic but quick enough to plant a smile on your face. The GTI has grip which helps carry a higher speed into corners. The steering is light but has better feedback than the Polo GT TSI. The GTI has disc brakes all-around with bigger front rotors that have an exceptional bite and feel. The GTI makes for a good drivers car which can also double up as a daily driver. The GTI is a limited edition CBU model with just 99 cars slated for India and retails at Rs 25.99 lakhs (ex-showroom Mumbai).

The VW GTI experiential drive was held in Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore on the 4th of February. The next set of drives will be conducted in Mumbai on the 11th and 12th of February, Delhi on the 18th and 19th February, Ahmadabad on the 18th February, and Chennai and Coimbatore on the 18th and 19th of February. For more information, visit the Volkswagen India website.