If the Golf GTI is Batman, welcome Robin. Volkswagen has found a new home for its long-serving 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine that has been used in everything from the Audi TT to the previous generation Golf GTI.
This time the 110kW engine has been slotted into the VW Polo to create a hot little compact car with real bite.
The new Polo flagship wears a GTI badge and that's not a moniker VW uses lightly - in fact it's first time VW has stuck it on anything but a Golf. The car's worthy of the coveted sticker, as I discovered when driving the Polo GTI on its South African launch in the Eastern Cape.
The Polo GTI isn't a watered-down hot hatch wannabe but the real thing, with spirited performance, nimble handling and a bit of a sporty growl.
If you can't afford a R240 000 Golf GTI then this isn't a bad stepping stone. For R188 700, the Polo GTI offers a 216km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h blast in 8.2 seconds at sea level, says VW, and because it's turbocharged you'll get much the same performance up on the Reef.
It's quick off the mark and feels gutsy through the gears, with its 220Nm of torque on tap from just 1950rpm. At the coast it pulls strongly right from idling speed, though you can expect a bit of turbo lag up in Gauteng's thin air.
Being the fun-loving people they are, VW SA gave us a few laps in their new car around the Aldo Scribante race track in Port Elizabeth, allowing us to stretch the car's legs without worrying about greed traps. It was raining so it also gave us a chance to put the car's traction control, sports suspension and anti-lock brakes to good use.
Besides showing how far tyre technology has come - the traction of those 205mm Contis on the wet track was pretty astonishing - it revealed the Polo GTI as an entertaining driving tool. So often a car that feels quick on the road is underwhelming on a race track but VW's little bomber revelled in the conditions.
It was fast and fun but surefooted, and when we did reach handling boundaries they were quickly sorted by a gentle anti-lock pulse from the brake pedal or a brief power cut by the traction control system.
No major understeer either and the front-wheel drive car turned into corners crisply.
The locally built Polo GTI sells as a single five-door model in five-speed manual, with deliveries limited to around 300 a month.
Third brake light
It comes standard with front and side crash bags, air-con, power windows and mirrors, a radio-CD, remote central locking and height and reach-adjustable steering.
The mask and cape come in the form of hot-looking 16" mags, side skirts, twin exhausts, a roof spoiler with a third brake light and red brake callipers.
There's also a GTI-branded honeycomb grille framed in red - just like big brother Golf.
Cabin bling is provided by sport seats in a classic "Interlagos" chequered design, a three-spokee sports steering wheel, leather-covered gear knob and handbrake grip and the obligatory aluminium finishes to console and pedals.
Options include a sunroof, cruise control, satellite navigation, front CD changer and a maintenance plan.
RIVALS
Ford Fiesta 2.0i ST3-dr (112kW/190Nm) - R171 950.
Seat Ibiza 1.8T Cupra3-dr (132kW/245Nm) - R199 700.