It's all about what happens when tyre meets tar - which is why Volkswagen asked some motoring scribes to test drive the new 96kW, turbocharged Polo before its launch to advise on whether the hatch should be fitted with traction control.
Volkswagen, it seemed, was concerned that over-enthusiastic motorists would frequently kiss the verge without this electronic nanny device.
After driving the 1.9TDi we felt traction control would perhaps be needed at sea level where the hatch would be quickest but was not necessary at Gauteng's energy-sapping altitude.
So the topic of conversation in the office on hearing we would get the TDi to review was whether or not it would come kitted with traction control (ESP - electronic stability programme).
And yes, in the interests of safety the Polo has traction control. But the head honchos at Volkswagen aren't complete killjoys - it can be de-activated with a flip of a switch. That translates to a whole lotta fun or a bundle of trouble if you aren't careful.
Even with the traction control engaged, the TDi displays some torque steer under hard acceleration, with the steering wheel becoming slightly twitchy as power is transmitted to the front wheels.
Disengage the ESP and the Polo rewards the driver with power slides and ample feedback through the four-spoke, leather-clad steering wheel as the 205/45 Dunlops scrabble for purchase.
Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent while an excellent power to weight ratio means this three-door Polo is faster off the mark than its big brother, the Golf 1.9TDi. The Polo brings 96kW and 310Nm to the fight - outmatching anything in its class, including Peugeot's 206 2.0XT HDi (66kW and 205Nm) and Opel's Corsa 1.7CDTi Sport (74kW and 240Nm).
It's the torque that really makes this car so driveable - cruise along at 60km/h in 6th, prod the accelerator and the Polo just takes off. There's no need to keep the motor on the boil but doing so remains a temptation with a slick gearshift adding to the fun.
Stopping power is provided by discs all round (ventilated up front) with ABS and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution).
Ride quality leans towards the firm side with some feedback over choppy surfaces, although the Polo handles the fast sweeps with aplomb.
All of which makes the TDi sound like a boy racer aimed at those who still only have to shave once a week; fact is the Polo has the same superb build quality as the larger Golf and is very similar in styling and features.
With further fuel price increases in the pipeline, the frugal fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100km on the combined freeway/urban cycle is a big plus - although this must be weighed against the inconvenience of having to change oil every 7500km.
Anthracite trim
The Polo comes with sports seats in cloth trim; our test vehicle had anthracite trim on the seats and carpets, with the standard black dashboard in soft-touch plastic. The bucket seats provide fair support but leather seats would have added a nice touch.
Chrome door handles enliven the slightly sombre interior, while the controls are logically laid out and easy to access. The TDi comes with a six-disc CD player conveniently mounted on the centre console.
Having spent some time in the larger Golf, we missed having a centre armrest in the Polo. Instead the space is taken up by stowage space and two cupholders - which are placed so that passengers in the rear can use them.
Another cupholder - adjustable for different size cups - pops out of the dashboard while further stowage space is provided under the glove compartment and beneath the steering column.
The height and reach-adjustable steering wheel together with the height adjustable driver's seat ensure comfortable ergonomics, while there is ample head and legroom.
Seating in the rear is not far off that provided by the Golf with plenty of headroom, but a bit less legroom. The rear windows can open outwards slightly.
Blind spot
The doors on the Polo are slightly longer than those on a five-door for ease of entry and exit but unlike some three-door hatches, they're not heavy or cumbersome and are easy to open and close - although we found that the B-pillar obstructed our view when checking the blind spots.
Boot space is reasonable for this segment with 270 litres available in the standard configuration, increasing to 580 litres when the 60/40 split rear seats are lowered - although the rear seats remain slightly inclined so the loading area isn't properly flat.
A full-sized alloy spare wheel is a welcome addition, as anyone who has had to limp home on a "marie biscuit" spare knows.
Operating the remote to open the boot is frustrating as the remote control has to be held down before the boot opens and didn't always work.
The list of standard features will please comfort-seekers with electric windows, tinted glass, semi-automatic climate control and electric headlight range adjustment among others - and the optional satellite navigation at just under 10 grand helps to make the big city with its maze of streets a little less bewildering.
Summary
The VW Polo TDi Sportline would probably have made it onto the Motoring Guild's finalist list for the recent Car of the Year competition had it been launched a bit earlier.
It's fast off the mark, well-built, agile, and provides superb fuel consumption. - Star Motoring