Sector: Lower medium Price: From €22,275 Fuel: 5.6–6.0/100km CO2: 129–139g/km

The latest Polo range was launched at the Paris Show in September 2014 and the GTI model was among the models to be launched then. Not surprisingly performance is brisk with the car reaching 100km/h from rest in an impressive 6.7 seconds. But the car can still return low fuel consumption and emissions, if you don’t exploit the performance. The car has recorded EU combined consumption of either 5.6 or 6.0l/100km, depending on which transmission option is chosen.

There’s a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated transmission. It’s the manual that returns the slightly higher consumption, matched to 139g/km carbon dioxide emissions. Again the DSG-equipped variant offers lower emissions at 129g/km of CO2 compared with 139g/km for the manual version. A generous 320Nm of torque is good for both performance and economy.

To distinguish it from lesser Polos, the GTI comes with new bumpers, GTI badging and 17-inch alloy wheels. Red stripes and markings on the radiator grille help to give it a GTI family image. The suspension has been lowered too, by 10mm at the front and 15mm at the back. Three and five-door versions are available.

Check your local specification, but expect to find included standard LED lights, a GTI roof spoiler, dark red rear light clusters, and chromed dual exhaust pipes. ESC Sport is standard and can be adapted for track use.

Inside there’s a leather sports steering wheel with red stitching, cloth seats with black side bolsters which all hark back to the original Golf GTI. The black interior is another GTI trademark, but there is enough glass to prevent it from being oppressive.

The car is as impressive as other GTI models on the road too. The ride is firm but not unacceptably so, the seats are supportive and performance brisk. Handling and road holding are as good as you would hope.

There is space for four adults, five at a squeeze, but legroom would require some compromise between front and rear seat occupants. Boot space is OK but again would be a bit pushed for four people. In fleet terms it is realistically a car for someone who rarely uses more than two seats, likes good performance but doesn’t want to spend more time at fuel stations than necessary. At the same time they need a car that is versatile, so the hatchback layout ticks the right boxes.

Verdict:

Everything that a VW GTI should be – strong performance and handling with hatchback versatility. It’s quick too but capable of low fuel consumption.