WHEN we first laid eyes on the locally assembled (CKD) Polo 1.6 hatchback during its preview at last year's KL International Motor Show 2013, we were filled with both optimism and skepticism.
The CKD Polo Sedan sibling introduced earlier proved that many loved the idea of a continental-badged car priced below RM100,000, explaining its rising numbers on our roads recently.
With the CKD hatchback version, however, our biggest doubt laid in one simple question: can the absence of the fully-imported (CBU) version's TSI engine plus DSG transmission package really be all that fun? After spending an entire day with the newly introduced CKD Polo 1.6 hatch, all our doubts were debunked and here is why.
Unlike its conservative sedan sibling, the hatch takes on a much different path that focuses more towards fun and sportiness at an affordable price tag. As mentioned, the turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI plus seven-speed DSG package the CBU version boasts has been replaced in favour of a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated multi-point injection MPI four-cylinder paired with a six-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Despite turbocharger's absence, the 1.6-litre MPI's generates the same 104hp at 5,250rpm, achieving it instead at 250rpm higher than the TSI. However, peak torque has dropped down to 153Nm generated at 3,800rpm as opposed to the TSI's 174Nm churned out between 1,550rpm and 4,100rpm.
Having a century sprint time of 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 184km/h, the seemingly drastic difference from the imported TSI version's 9.7 seconds and 190km/h figures did appear uninviting initially.
Adding to this was the naturally-aspirated model sipping a litre more fuel at 6.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle against the imported car's rating of 5.3 litres per 100km. But in all honesty, the Malaysian-made Polo hatch still felt very lively, thanks to the much more rev-happy naturally aspirated MPI.
It may be slower compared to the TSI plus DSG package, but this MPI and Tiptronic-equipped model still felt very refined with its delivery similar to most other German engineered cars.
It needs a little more pushing to have fun, and the transmission is not lightning-quick as the DSG, but that simply gave us another reason to keep the accelerator floored, while the transmission's surprising smoothness and well tuned ratios made it an almost perfect all-rounder.
That same refined feeling also resonates with the way the Polo 1.6 handles. Unlike its heavier and comfort-focused sedan sibling, the hatch felt slightly more taut with sportier stiffness for greater agility without compromising too much on comforts and stability.
Match this chassis' well-balanced suspension setup with a featherweight 1,020kg five-door hatch body, the result is a car that was relatively easy to throw around corners. Though not as chuckable and planted as the manic Polo GTI hot-hatch version, it is still dripping with loads of fun compared to its nearest segment rivals.
Another set of contributions to this car's overall fun factor were its tyres, brakes, and steering. During the specially-organised press drive to the Sepang International Circuit, an autocross challenge was held in the circuit's empty parking lots where we got to push this car to its limits of agility. Predictably, chronic understeer rears its ugly head in the test, but only at speeds beyond reasonable figures.
The same can be said about the made-in-India Apollo branded tyres, where the 185/60 R15-sized rubber only began losing its edge when pushed beyond reasonable thresholds. Brakes, however, felt good, requiring little effort and also felt reassuring after knowing the front discs and rear drums combination come laced with anti-locking and electronic brake assist systems.
The thing we also liked the most was the well-balanced with a decently light weight steering system and decent amounts of feedback – something we commonly expect of a European brand. As far as the chassis goes, we feel it is well-sorted for a car of this price tag.
On board, the first thing that impressed us was the low road and tyre noise intrusions up until speeds of 130km/h, with engine roar becomes intrusive only past the 4,000rpm mark. Following this were the decently comfortable and high-quality fabric seat covers.
But being locally-assembled with 40% of its parts sourced locally to reduce build costs, there were a few drawbacks such as the disappointingly vast amounts of hard-plastics around the dash and door inserts, as well as the absence of the TSI trim's larger-sized and full-colour infotainment head unit.
The hatchback's shorter 2,465mm wheelbase as oppose to the sedan's 2,552mm means rear passengers suffer from a lack of legroom, which is a shame to the cabin's aforementioned low noise intrusions and comfortable high quality fabric lining. We also felt that the front seats lacked some thigh support – a typical and annoying issue amongst B-segment cars. Our final complaint was perhaps the lack of steeringmounted paddle-shifter, but even this feature is exclusive only to the GTI-trimmed Polo.
For us, the cabin's biggest saving grace was its well-sorted list of standard features. Besides the four-speaker infotainment system with USB, AUX, and SD card plus Bluetooth handsfree connections, the cabin also features VW's typical yet neatlooking monochromatic-themed display for the audio head unit and instrument panel with a central digital multi-info display.
There is also an automatic air-conditioning unit that proved its worth while we test-drove it in the recent heat-wave, whilst the standard-equipped cruise control system rounded things off here.
It may have appeared mediocre at first, but the cabin is saved greatly by its decent comforts, good standard equipments list that also includes two airbags, and the unmistakably 'German' build quality.
Perhaps the icing on the cake with the CKD Polo 1.6 hatchback lies in its potential offer of longterm reliability. The MPI engine and Tiptronic transmission equipped will likely see you spend less on maintenance and service fees as compared to the TSI version. And, since it undergoes the brand's high standards of building, the chances of components and parts failing or falling off are significantly low.
Proving this point, VW offered us 'taxi rides' in a stock standard Polo 1.6 driven hard by a professional driver through a short gravel rally course. By the day's end and more than 20 rides later, the car was still in good nick to be driven back – a true testament to German engineering and build quality, despite not being built in Germany at all.
German-engineered, Malaysian made, and dripping bucket loads of fun for seemingly less money. Sure, for its RM87,888 asking price, you could instead opt for a cheaper model from the two local brands with enough balance to invest in a decent after-market tuning package.
You could even score an older generation sports car or hot-hatch from the second-hand grey market as well. However, these choices will not offer this CKD Polo hatch's European build quality, guaranteed fuel economy, or that all-important five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Priced RM2,000 less than the sedan and RM27,000 less than the fully-imported TSI, the Polo 1.6's package is something we forsee will win the hearts of many. Fun and sportiness does not get any cheaper, nor does it get any more reliable than this.
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While it is not a turbocharged TSI, this rev-happy 1.6-litre MPI feels equally just as fun.
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Standard-equipped in the Polo 1.6 are features such as cruise control.
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Standard-equipped in the Polo 1.6 are features such a four-speaker infotainment system.
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Standard-equipped in the Polo 1.6 are features such as automatic climate control.
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Bluetooth hands-free also comes as standard together with easy-to-reach steering-mounted controls.
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Though appearing mediocre at first, it was the comfortable high quality fabric seat covers, leather-wrapped steering and gear knob, as well as the impressive standard features that made the Polo 1.6's cabin feel pleasant.
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