We drive the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT
Last week we had a thrilling experience while spending time with Volkswagen’s new Polo Vivo GT, a performance-focused edition to the new Vivo range.
The new Polo Vivo range was launched in February this year along with a lot of hype due to its previous success as South Africa’s top-selling passenger model for the past seven years.
The Polo Vivo is also the only locally built model in its competitive segment, with key attributes boasting affordability, German build quality, safety, space and comfort.
Also read: We drive the new Volkswagen Polo
After our week with the range-topping Polo Vivi GT, we can attest to these key attributes. Here is what we loved about the Polo Vivo GT…
5 things we love about the Polo Vivo GT
- Fun to drive
I had to list this as my favourite quality, because the Vivo GT really gives you a fun driving experience, no matter where you are. In the city, it’s quick and zooty and I loved how easy it was to quickly overtake slow-moving vehicles, or vehicles that had randomly stopped on Cape Town’s busy Strand street. I also had the opportunity to really spread the Polo GT’s wings, out on the open road when I ventured up to Pringle Bay along Clarens Drive and let me tell you, THAT showed me just how well it can perform.
Its six-speed manual gearbox is a real treat, and keeps up with its quick and fast-paced acceleration points. As nippy, is its 1-litre TSI, 81 kW engine, which you might not think gives much power, but is surprisingly punchy and really kicks up on the open road.
Turning corners in the Vivo GT is a dream, with very little body roll, thanks to its firm positioning on the road. The Vivo GT, in all its sportiness, give you a real sense of confidence, mixed with the right amount of fun on the road and I’ll forever remember it as one of the most fun-to-drive little hatch’s I’ve tested.
2. Street Credit
The Vivo GT adds sporty styling and cheeky design elements to its exterior. Bright red paintwork, 17-inch alloy wheels, a tailgate spoiler and GT markings make it notably ‘GT’ on the road.
Inside, the GT level of performance continues with leather sports seats and a sporty multi-functional steering-wheel.
3. Frugal Fuel Economy
Despite it being a 1-litre engine, the Vivo GT’s fuel economy is impressive, with a claimed fuel consumption of 4.6-litres per 100 kilometers. After driving to Pringle Bay and back (and we were pushing the power), we still had three-quarters of a tank of fuel left!
4. Standard Features
The Vivo GT comes with front sports seats, rear tailgate spoiler, GT lettering on the tailgate, front grille and sides, black side moulding, lowered suspension and sport pedal cluster as standard, and Cruise Control is also standard in the GT (unlike the rest of the Vivo range).
5. Safety
With the Vivo GT being performance-inspired option in the Vivo range, safety is of important consideration. Safety features have been enhanced across the new Polo range, with ABS, alarm and remote central locking, as well as front fog lights as standard in the GT model.
Our test drive with the Polo Vivo GT is one we won’t be forgetting any time soon, and we’re sure there’ll be a number of them on the road soon, zipping in and out of traffic.
Pricing for the range-topping Vivo GT is set at R245 000, while the base model Vivo (Trendline) is priced at R179 900.