Equipped with a New 1.5-Liter 4-Cylinder Engine

The current Volkswagen Polo, which consists of the standard model with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine and the GTI with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, now welcomes the new "Polo TSI R-Line" grade, powered by a new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The test drive event was held around the same time as the JAIA event and at a venue very close by, so we hurried over to get behind the wheel.



This engine, dubbed "1.5 TSI Evo," is a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo developed based on Volkswagen's EA211 series TSI engine. It features the latest technology, including Active Cylinder Management (ACT) for cylinder deactivation and common-rail direct injection. While it's already been fitted to the facelifted Golf in Europe, this is its debut in the Polo in Japan.

Specifications include a maximum output of 150 ps (110 kW) at 5,000-6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at 1,500-3,500 rpm, achieving an impressive fuel economy of 17.8 km/ℓ (JC08 mode).



The R-Line package exterior is dressed up with exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with the same size 215/45R17 tires as the GTI, twin exhausts, front and rear spoilers, and black side skirts, giving it a distinctly sporty appearance.

The interior follows the TSI Highline trim. When an optional Energetic Orange Metallic is chosen for the body color, as on our test car, the dash panel and center console are finished in the same hue, and the sport seats' fabric also features matching colored lines. The standard paddle shifters are a welcome addition. The digital instrument cluster, which can display navigation and vehicle information, has well-designed graphics and is very easy to read. The rear seats offer ample space.

A Truly User-Friendly Car

Once underway, it's naturally more powerful than the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder model. The engine note also becomes a more refined, deeper tone, and you notice it has become smoother and more premium.

While I quite liked the driving feel of the standard model, which encourages you to wring out the most from its small 3-cylinder engine, this new model surpasses it in absolute performance, such as initial acceleration and responsiveness.



However, it should be noted that with the Polo TSI R-Line, there were occasional subtle discrepancies in the car's movement when starting off, and the negative aspects of the 7-speed DSG, which uses a lightweight dry single-plate clutch, were slightly apparent in relation to the high-powered engine.

Furthermore, the firm sports suspension, inherited from the GTI, which transmits minor shocks over rough surfaces at low speeds, works well in conjunction with the electronic differential lock "XDS"—which brakes the inner wheel during cornering to reduce understeer—once you pick up speed. It delivers an exhilarating drive, characteristic of Volkswagen's sport hatches.

The ACT system, which deactivates two cylinders during cruising between 1,400-4,000 rpm, also engaged frequently. Despite driving without any concern for fuel consumption, the meter indicated a fuel consumption rate of around 13 km/ℓ during the test drive.



The Polo TSI R-Line measures 4,060mm in length, 1,750mm in width, and 1,450mm in height. These dimensions are nearly identical to the Golf III (2.0-liter GLi and 2.8-liter VR-6) and Golf IV (COX C18TR) that I owned in the 1990s. Combined with its considerable power, it has been refined into a truly user-friendly car for the domestic market.

The price is 2.98 million yen. However, options such as the genuine navigation system Discover Pro package (226,800 yen), the Technology Package for the digital meter cluster (70,200 yen), and the optional exterior colors (32,400 yen) are all extra, meaning our test car, equipped with these, easily exceeds 3 million yen.

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