EXCLUSIVE: Is this the first
customer new Polo GTI in the UK?
It may be raining outside, but here’s something to brighten all prospective new Polo GTI owners’ moods. Is this the first customer 2010 Polo GTI in the country? Our entry reporting on the first UK magazine road tests of the new hotshot Polo has become something of a mini-forum, with Polo GTI-owners-to-be who have placed orders with their local Volkswagen retailers commenting about the various build stages of ‘their’ cars. It seems that the latest Polo GTI is something of a hot ticket right now, and prospective buyers can wait anything between 12 weeks and 6 months for cars to arrive. Our special correspondent collects his car tomorrow and it’s pictured here in the retailer’s parking lot, resplendent in its Flash Red paint and protective polythene. In something of an exclusive, we hope to bring you the proud new owner’s first impressions over the next few days.
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Wow! The new GTI looks amazing. Love the shape and the colour – am deeply envious of your special correspondent.
Well done John! It looks great, even with the protection on it!
Ooh Spirit VW… Hmm, I guess I’m not far from you if one day you want to take out an excited passenger
Top of the class Court, Spirit it is. Sure come and take a look.
Car looks perfect! Hope you have fun with that mate – get a video up if you can, although I imagine you are out in it right now
My build week was 38, meant to be with me by the end of October? Not gonna hold my breath just yet. LOL
Taken delivery of the car. Brilliant. As soon as you sit in the cabin it feels as though they have shrink-wrapped the new Golf GTI around you. The previous model of Polo GTI I owned never felt like that. This new beast is a class above other superminis. On the road it feels self-assured and the power is there if you really need it. VW always seem to use a less is more policy when it comes to styling but this baby certainly turns heads. The supermini has grown up thanks to VW.
Glad you’re pleased John, and that it was worth the wait. Thought it might feel like a mini Golf GTI, which is a great car in itself. Who knows, it might be the start of something… The previous 9N3 GTI press car I had never really felt the money it was, but the 6Rs do feel a class above everything else. Look forward to more words and pics.
Sounds great John! Ooooh… I can hardly wait for mine to show up!
I can’t wait to see your impressions after you’ve had it for a few days… It’s lovely!
Can you confirm that it comes with the fancier MFD like this: http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/bubuskey/IMG_3713.jpg as opposed to one like this: http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv187/kripstoe/DSC00063_2.jpg
Even though both the SEL and the GTI both have Midline MFD listed in the standard features, all the pics of LHD GTIs have the fancy MFD as they have the extra fuel and temperature dials that no other Polo has.
Looks great. How are you finding things with the DSG gearbox?
Would be cool if you could post some additional pictures when you have the chance.
Happy driving – Al
Hi everyone,
Will get some more pics up as soon as possible. Been having to much fun. Going down a storm with people. Lots of double takes from other drivers
Glad I went for the LED daytime running lights, they make it. Also went for the touch screen radio which gives the cabin a hi-tech feel. Sounds really good too. Car well insulated from outside noise.
Bad news is there is no Bluetooth phone answering capability, which is just plain crazy. I have multimedia interface sockets so why no Bluetooth. Nuts. When you start the engine it almost sounds like a 3-litre, nice.
Alan – the DSG box Alan is a dream to use, don’t think I’ll go back to manual now. MFD does a number of things, but doesn’t look quite like pic 1 or 2 that you posted Court. Certainly does not have the fancy petrol gauge graphic you show.
http://twitpic.com/2umzf8
When you get yours you won’t be able to leave it alone, I can’t!
Brilliant that’s the MFD like my 1st pic – that’s a good thing. You can do so much more with it.
As you have the RCD 510 you can add Bluetooth very easily: http://fiscon-mobile.com/products/rns_510.php
John – sounds brilliant and like the car is receiving a lot of attention.
Roll on March…
After viewing this article I got impatient and called my dealer about my GTI’s progress and I have been told that if anybody ordered a panoramic roof it is likely to be delayed until Q1 next year. He also told me that if you ordered your car before end of August, VW will pay the VAT increase. And mine is due to be built week 47.
MY CAR IS ON THE BOAT!!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!
Great news Rory! I’m certainly enjoying mine and I somehow think you will too. It’s a dream to drive and really looks the business up close. It’s very responsive and the engine has a lovely pitch to it. Let us know when you get yours.
Thanks John, I’ll be sure to link up some photos – though, I believe ours are exactly the same spec! RC510, Xenons and Flash Red is all I specified I believe? I can’t even remember!
Quick question, are any of you guys on active forums on the Polo GTI topic? I struggle to find any!
There’s not much about Rory. I’ve been talking about it for months, but without the actual model in the country no one can actually give their considered views on it. That’s why we’ve all latched on here I reckon.
I’m really enjoying polodriver.com though, the magazines are very impressive. Quality photos and journalism by Rich.
I just ordered the RCD310 stereo as I’ll be fitting the RNS510 navi and factory Bluetooth when it arrives.
Shame, I thought the audience for the Polo would be much larger. Has every reason to be, hot Polos since the G40 have been mostly frowned upon as it’s not a “proper” GTI – hope this new one can make the vital change.
I had just clocked onto polodriver.com in the past week or so and have been keeping up with John and his order – looks like it is the best source for the latest news!
Hmm, you can probably tell this is my first VW (second car to be fair though
) so I am not up-to-date with the lingo. I know I have the touchscreen radio – not too sure on the code now as you have fired two numbers out that don’t resemble mine in the slightest! 
John, one question I have is – How is the blip on the throttle when you down shift?
Thanks chaps… makes it all worth the effort!
Here’s a link to another magazine from a previous incarnation testing the 9N3 Polo GTI: http://issuu.com/richgooding/docs/vw_polo_register_newsletter_26
Thanx for that Rich. Makes interesting reading.
The 1.4 Twincharger with DSG is quite a heavy set-up so it’s very impressive for the 6R GTI to weigh 14kg less than the 9N3 GTI especially with the improved safety features of the 6R.
I thought about ‘downsizing’ to the last Polo GTI for my previous company car in 2007 but it just didn’t feel right when I compared it to the Golf GTI Edition 30 I ended up getting. One of the things that put me off was the old 1.8T as the emissions were almost the same as the Golf and that had 80hp more and obviously a size up. Not a chance this time though. The 6R has a fantastic air of quality and get a lot of people to ‘downsize’.
Talking of which – have you seen the £13k Golf Twist? Limited run with the 1.4 engine. Almost the same spec and price as a Polo 1.4 SE, but will be here within a month or so – that should appease some prospective Polo purchasers who wont wait 6 months for delivery.
Hi Rory,
In answer to your question one word…sweet.
The whole set up is a joy, I could drive around in it all day. The car has one or two nice touches which you’ll discover.
Expect to get some looks when you get yours. Think there should be a large group shot of all first Polo GTI owners with their cars.
A group shot? That would be cool. Can I be there to record it?
Group shot, I like it! However, I’d make it difficult as I am in the Highlands
I am getting far too excited about the car coming, pretty sure it’s not good for me!
Hi Rich,
Yes I was hoping you’d take the publicity shots.
Doing the work of VW UK I reckon. Just put mine away in the garage for the night. ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’ as the Shakepeare line goes. 
I envy you Rory in the highlands, all those miles of open roads. Will be a blast.
I have a 50 mile commute to work in the morning. Great combination of long straights and twisty bends – my commute is truly a great road. What will make it better is they are re-laying all the surfaces – it was meant to be
Hi John,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying it! Could you tell us if it has headlight “spray washers” for the Bi-Xenons headlights as it looks like it in the photo?
It’s an EU requirement to have washers and auto-levelling system with Xenon headlights.
Hi BJ,
Yes, Court is right about the regs. The washer system does indeed look like the ones used in the promo pics. I had the system on the last Polo GTI to have Xenons, 2000 model. These however are a little bit more automatic in that they wash the lights once the ignition has been switched on for the first time, then every fifth time the windscreen washer system is used.
Other nice touches… LED lights change in their intensity depending on what other lights you have on. Electric windows can be closed with the remote control key fob, 2007 Polo GTI didn’t do this. Speedo and rev dials light up on their own once the ignition is turned on and vary in their intensity according to outside light or whatever lights you have switched on.
Thanks John. If you do get around to having Bluetooth fitted for a phone do tell what you decided on in the end and how it integrates….?
Thanks John for giving us GTI owners (in waiting) your thoughts, if you have time some pics would be appreciated. I have been told week 43 (unconfirmed), cannot wait…
Cheers.
Hi BJ
You’ve got 3 options.
1. Something like a Parrot/Nokia kit. Easy to install, cheap, works great as long as you use the handset to dial numbers. £50 for the kit. £20 for the cable.
2. The Fiscon kit. About £300. Integrates with the touchscreen RCD/RNS 510 stereo and also displays in the MFD display. Very good, and works with most phones.
3. The factory kit. Just about the same price as the Fiscon with similar features, but up until the very latest version would only work with Nokia phones that use the rSAP bluetooth profile.
The latter 2 options also need the car coding with VCDS after installation.
I’ve got my old Nokia CK-7W kit out my old Golf ready to go in the Polo. Going to see how I get on with that before I consider fitting the Fiscon/Factory kit.
Hi Court,
Thanks. As mentioned in the other thread I am planning to go with the VW OEM option as it would integrate seamlessly and discreetly, as per the setup in our Golf with the RCD510 (which has so far connected to Nokia, Sony, LG and Samsung phones perfectly).
Its puzzling why its not an option on UK Polo GTIs…..it can’t be a space or technical issue as the Germans can have it, but whatever the reason, VW UK doesn’t seem inclined to divulge it……..as far as I can tell!
I am curious regarding the Fiscon kit though, considering you mentioned its about the same costwise, does it do all the VW OEM kit does, including being able to be operated by, say, the MFS wheel phone controls if it were retrofitted in the GTI…and more?
Here’s the product page of the Fiscon:
http://fiscon-mobile.com/products/rns_510.php?brand=vw
People seem to really rate it on the many, many VAG forums.
If you haven’t got the MFSW you can control it from the wiper stalk as well as the touchscreen of the RCD/RNS 510.
OK, so it may not be as good as the latest VW OEM kit then.
No, I think the latest VW system is the best around, I think it was a great solution for the Apple fans for the last few years as the iPhone doesn’t support rSAP. The latest VW version has the standard handsfree profile so should be great.
It’s unbelievable in 2010 that you can’t spec factory Bluetooth in a car that only came out 12 months ago.
Frankly, it’s unbelieveably that Volkswagen UK shortchanged ALL UK buyers by not allowing us the Bluetooth phone option…….WHY?!!
Whoops! should read… “it’s unbelieveable that etc. etc.”
Perhaps someone has a direct line to Chris Craft, the Director of VW UK at VW HQ in Milton Keynes…….but even then I wonder if it would do any good as emails and calls have fallen on deaf ears up to now.
John, I was also wondering if you had the climate option fitted? I recall mention in one of the reviews, something about the screen colours of the climate panel and that of the RCD510 screen not matching…….could you perhaps shed any light on that at all?
http://twitpic.com/2vrug2
http://twitpic.com/2vrujq
As promised a while ago, a couple of pics.
Re the Bluetooth debate, everyone is perplexed over the issue as to why we can’t have it. I would rather have a factory fit than have my dash messed around with now.
Don’t worry about the typo mistakes I’ve made a few. I can spell, honest.
Well, my mate in Berlin is friends with the guy who was VW UK finance director but the guy has taken a post abroad. My said friend couldn’t believe Bluetooth wasn’t in the car, knowing the Germans have it. I may get him on the case when I next talk to him.
Yes BJ, climate option fitted. They don’t match but I can’t say I find it too disturbing. The pic of my dash is on here. Does that help?
Here’s a pic of it in the dark.
http://www.motor-talk.de/bilder/polo-v-gti-g26409916/29-i203576015.html
Thanks guys, it’s hardly noticeable, guess they have to nitpick something in a review……….!
Yes, asking an awkward “simple question” at the top might help in determining why we can’t have Bluetooth in the UK.
uh-oh…
OK, one option I did not specify on my car was a MFSW – does this eliminate the MFD? If not how do I control the MFD, I assume by one of the stalks??
Dont worry Rory! The MFD is controlled by buttons on the wiper stalk – it’s been the same way on VWs for the last 30 years, except it was called an MFA back in the early days.
Phew!! I don’t know VW all that well really… :S
Hi chaps
John – would be very excited to take the pictures of you all – you’ve all certainly helped to put the website on the map!
Latest pictures of the car look great. We could even make another mini-magazine out of it, cars and owners’ privacy protected if necessary!
BJ – have asked my contacts in VW’s UK press office about the Bluetooth thing, will chase as it’s been a week. I don’t know if it’s the same one you’re all talking about (my 1994 Coupé GT doesn’t even know what electric windows are), but there is a Bluetooth add-on kit in the latest Polo accessories brochure I picked up this morning from my dealer in Chelmsford. Part no 000 051 473 A, £230.00, classed as Bluetooth Touch Phone Kit. Looks like a pop-up type screen attached near the radio unit, so uglier than one that’s integrated. Can’t see the Bluetooth option in my German Polo GTI brochure dated April 2010, but fully believe it’s there and available.
Rich
That kit is an unbranded version of the Bury CC9060. It’s not a bad price for fully fitted at a VW dealer. If you were to fit it yourself you’d need the kit which is approx £120 delivered from various internet retailers plus the ISO to Quadlock converter for the VW stereo approx £20. If you think that it would take a VW tech .75 to 1 hour to fit it then the £90 extra is not bad value.
I myself would spend 1.5h fitting it myself and put the 90 beer tokens back in my wallet.
Great video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbjWSziMZZ8
Shame I can’t speak German! Incidentally that’s the exact car that VW UK showed to the press a couple of months ago.
Surprised they didn’t rub our noses in it by getting him to answer the phone while on the move.
Chaps
This is the official response from Volkswagen UK regarding the delivery delays and also the Bluetooth availability:
‘Demand is – as you report in your forums – high for the Polo GTI. We do have a good number of cars scheduled for production this year but supply is not as free as we would like. We are attempting to manage customers’ expectations and anyone with a real concern should contact their retailer who will be able to give an indication of delay or delivery time so an informed decision can be made.
A number of factors as well as high demand are impacting on supply – including some issues at our South Africa production facility (now resolved but causing some delay on Polos in general) as well as a new computer system at head office and throughout the network which is responsible for production, ordering etc. While this was all planned for and on the whole went smoothly, there are still some glitches which we are having to manually overcome – which obviously takes time.
With regards to the Bluetooth, we aren’t currently able to offer a factory fitted solution that would be compatible for phones in the UK. We have stressed the need for this and hope that this can be addressed in the not too distant future. In the meantime, customers can have Bluetooth via the accessory touch kit.’
I think the company is doing all it genuinely can regarding the delays, but the Bluetooth option is puzzling. But then I don’t know the ins and outs of technical specifications, so am not in a very good position to comment. At least now you have an official response, if not the one you were all hoping for.