BETTER THAN A GOLF GTI? RACINGLINE'S VW POLO GTI WITH 16 MODIFICATIONS!

Racingline's website:
www.racingline.com
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In this video I give you a tour of Racingline's demo Polo GTI (AW) with 16 different modifications that totally transform its character. Could it be so much better than a standard Polo GTI that it's actually better than a Golf GTI? Well that all depends on your definition of "better"....
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[@slawekfastyn]

Rear wiper delete in a Polo is just plain.... stupid, unless I missed something and the climate has changed so much that it doesn't rain in the UK anymore... or anywhere else for that matter.

[@volkswizard]

On Porsches it’s common for rear wiper to be an option if you don’t like what it does to the aesthetic but to actually remove one would only really make sense if you wanted to save weight for track use/racing

[@richcretrogti618]

Always enjoy watching your videos. I’ve just taken delivery of my new Up! GTi which I ordered on the strength of your review of that car and your enthusiasm for the little hot hatch. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022.

[@steveburroughs7343]

I’ve had my Polo GTi+ for 2 years now and whilst I generally like the car (my main drive is a T Roc R), there are things that need attention to make it more fun. First, the lazy DSG. Fine in an R with loads of torque but not in the Polo. I tend to leave mine in Sport the whole time. Second: the suspension is too hard even in Comfort setting. I can’t help but think this car would handle better with a softer set-up. I struggle for traction at the best of times, so goodness knows what 400+ NM must be like. Overall, it lacks the “sense of occasion” that my old Golf GTi 7.5 had. And I’m sure VW made sure they engineered that out of the Polo!

[@volkswizard]

Hey Steve, thanks for the insight. I've already asked Racingline if they are planning a diff to help put all the torque down, I guess that's something that you'd miss after a VAQ diff equipped Golf GTI

[@steveburroughs7343]

@@volkswizard thanks Andrew. If I was going to keep this Polo GTi I would definitely want address the DSG, torque and handling issues. It’ll be that or I’ll get a Clubsport. I very much enjoy your channel.

[@rh9224]

Get the Gesrbox mapped

[@thomasgammelby9309]

It holds traction quite well with 388 hp / 568 Nm. A bigger turbo solves som off the traction problem by building power more gradually. Of course if I floor it. It pulls wheel spin from 0-120 km/t but a wavetrac dif helps with that. My point is that, it feels like VW neutered it as not to out shine the golf. But it can be corrected. In a country like Denmark with var taxes of 180% + GST of 25% it is better value to by a cheaper car and mod it....

[@Johnnybananass-_]

Hey is that you steve ?!! It’s Gavin

[@andrewmcivor42]

That's a pretty good video, would make a good "weekend" car, I think. I absolutely hate that exhaust system though! Just makes the Polo sound like something that the boy racers would use down at the retail park...and I don't understand why anyone would delete the rear wiper - absolutely pointless mod, especially on a hatchback without a rear camera. I also think I'd just leave the engine as standard too - I'd be changing the front tyres constantly otherwise! Rest of it is good though - although I do disagree with you about the Golf R failing as a fun/characterful car (although I understand why you'd think that - perfectly valid point of view). To me, that's the best thing about the R, that it feels as docile as a "normal" Golf, unless you're hammering it! I did 690 miles in 1 day in mine, at sensible motorway/A road speeds. But I guess that's an argument for having more than one car - my R Estate is my only car. That Polo would be hard to live with as an only car, but would be a great "fun" car. The R gets me to work at 4am on a frosty morning, fits a large amount of IKEA stuff (it's an estate), is a comfy long distance cruiser & is great fun when I want it to be. Personally, I think I'd stick with an older Golf as an alternative - I don't think the Polo gives you the multi link rear suspension? The Golf possibly feels a bit more grown up? One other thing about that modified Polo, compared to a standard Golf GTi - Insurance. I'd imagine it would be pretty expensive to insure a car that's been modified as much as that?

[@doomldn718]

The Dogbone mount - where can I buy this from racingline?

[@jamesj4354]

I was getting bored of my Polo GTI+ after 2 and a half years but after having a remap it’s perfect for me again. I’d have to say that that Polo is extremely low spec and the few options I put on mine when I got it definitely makes it more appealing as it gets older.

[@Marc-cd1yy]

I've had mine about 4/5 months and been tempted to get it mapped. Do you still have your Polo? I assume you'd recommend it, who did you go with?

[@jamesj4354]

@@Marc-cd1yy I went with DMS Automotive , expensive but they did a good job. I have actually moved to a Cupra Ateca now, I am a sucker for changing my cars.

[@carcrazyguysa4059]

I have owned my 2021 Polo GTI for 6 months now and loving it.

[@volkswizard]

Nice! Was yours built in SA too?

[@carcrazyguysa4059]

@@volkswizard Yes built in South Africa too, I believe all the VW Polos are built here including the facelift.

[@chrismlarge1]

I have a 2020 Polo GTI plus. I really like mine, it will never be as good as the GTI Clubsport, but then I only paid £21900 with limestone grey/Brescia/climate and beats in JAN 2020. A Gti CS with a few options is £40k new. It’s weird they used a GTI and not a GTI plus as the base for their mods. I’m looking at some mods soon, will start with the breathing first, is there a RacingLine dealer near Suffolk? I wonder if the kick down in manual has been mapped out? Traction off the line is a issue with these tho. Maybe one day I will upgrade to the CS.

[@geniusme2010]

Hi im torn between this and an up gti, i do alot of small journeys and want something good on mpg? But i also have children the up gti looks brilliant bit i like the mid size of the polo, what do you i would get mpg wise if i drove around in eco with the dsg gearbox?

[@ad_182_uk]

The Up is only a 1 litre and super light so may be better on mpg but the up looks better in a 3 door and may struggle with the kids.

[@gwinster]

I've just upgraded to the Polo from the UP GTI, I loved the Up! but it had really crashy suspension and I went through 4 tyres in 3 years so it depends what the roads are like where you live. It was great fun but I definitely prefer the Polo.

[@tredfxman]

Put a Cobra Sport exhaust on this & ur in dreamland! Belive me igot their catback on my Clubsport. Waiting for the invidia highflow downpipe at the moment.. Next upgrade will probably be TVS Engineering DSG Tune (best in business) to save clutch abit when tuned & get a better car overall. then maby Stage 2+ ECU by same company. This car will be Monster pushing over 400 hp after that! Already had our Swedish BSR Stage1 tune which worked excellent, but have it detuned in winter via their PPC3 device in winters to save engine a bit.. Cars 4 years now & still no problem with turbo & etc. Excellent videos Volkswizard, thanks! 👍

[@ad_182_uk]

Have racing line released all the products on here yet? Internested in the ecu/dsg map, intake, turbo elbow + muffler delete and the dogbone mount.

[@ad_182_uk]

Answering my own question but they have now!

[@ad_182_uk]

@@robbodenn no idea. Any custom exhaust place can probably do that though for like £50

[@tonyjazz4073]

Informative content as always Andrew. The Racing Line additions are transformative no doubt. Top quality too. Will be replacing standard items on my GTI with some of their products in 2022.

[@t5jerry]

i think your out voted in this case, what job position do you hold at "racing line" ???

[@sixsilverstringsguitars8998]

We had one of these (no mods) for a year ... great little car ... now the same external dimensions as a MK5 golf ... so it’s grown right up ... still had that ‘small / cheap’ thing going on a bit too much and always left us wanting for a golf / A3 platform car ... it did have the adaptive dampers though, as standard I believe ... my TTRS and RS5 both don’t have them .... so the polo at one thing up on those two ... we sold it when the values of used cars went up earlier this year

[@ad_182_uk]

You cut away to the rally car when you launched it but i really wanted to see if the dog bone or whatever mount stopped the horrible shaking / wheel hop you can get???

[@jamesbutler606]

Drove a bog standard polo as a courtesy vehicle the other week - have to say if the trim was the same as a golf I would buy one over it in a heartbeat - so nimble and easy to drive - would be great if they did a 1.6T instead of an untuned 2.0t but likely cost cutting on VW’s part with that.

[@joshuaboulton3355]

When I test drove a std GTI Polo I couldn't get over how poor the interior quality seemed to be

[@Borrie131]

A GTI without Led/Xenon lights damn.

[@edd95gti85]

I was thinking about upgrading mine but they are £749 each side so mabe not for while

[@sarcastixx74]

Could see the point of oil/DSG coolers if the car was putting out enough torque and heat to warrant it. They might've been better offering the TVS DSG tune for the DQ250 which has optimised thermal management built in. It would also be half the price of fitting both of the coolers quoted. The DQ250 can easily handle 440nm stock. Can't see many of these being used for track, can see them being used by younger drivers and the usual aftermarket discs/pads/brake lines, suspension, exhaust, intake are all readily available. Not bad products being offered by RL by any means, I just wonder how big their market is/will be. Nice looking little car though, plenty of poke and sound for the chassis size to make it an interesting ride by looks of it.

[@colinw1591]

Good review Andrew. The complete package of mods certainly look comprehensive and make a more exciting drive. Guess the only downside (other than the cost) will be a voided warranty.....

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Colin. Warranty is an issue but these AW Polo GTIs have been around since mid-2018 so quite a few are already out of warranty.

[@robrocks34]

I’ve owned a polo gti+ and although a great car not as good as the golf gti pp I part ex’d it for. I didn’t work out how much all those upgrades cost…? But I expect quite a lot.

[@volkswizard]

Yes indeed but you can pick and choose, some stuff is only useful on track like the coolers.

[@chrismlarge1]

Golf is the next class up will always be the better car. But so it should be for extra £££

[@radiantinred]

In around 1996 I bought a manual Golf GTI 8v that was a couple of months old from a main dealer (not sure I knew the difference between the 8v and 16v at the time). To this day I believe it was the best car I have ever owned. Today I have a Polo GTI which I bought new almost 2 years ago. I have only done 3,500 miles in total. It so reminds me of the feeling I had with my Golf GTI. The Polo has morphed almost to the size of my old Golf. Stock 200bhp in a shopping trolley is enough for me - it's an excellent bang for your buck without looking like a middle aged boy racer

[@volkswizard]

The GTI 8v Mk3 was tough as old boots mechanically and for the first ten years could have possibly only ever needed routine servicing. Unfortunately emissions complications have made those days long gone but the EA888 engine in Polo GTI is pretty good apart from coolant leaks. Body corrosion thankfully seems much less of an issue than Mk3 too!

[@radiantinred]

@@volkswizard Tough as old boots sums it up. I lived in the UK but worked in Luxembourg I travelled to and fro for a couple of years. Hard to believe that car only had 115 bhp. I remember parking on a steep hill at work facing up the hill. I could hardly open the door as it was so heavy. Cheers.

[@harrywright5229]

I’ve owned my polo gti+ for a year now and love how it’s still a small car compared to the golf ☝🏻 great content as always

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Harry, I love a small fast car but Up! GTI is a bit too raw for longer commuting. Audi S1 is better but no longer in production so Polo GTI has a very valid place in the range.

[@gamingmadforever6363]

@@volkswizard how come they stopped audi s1?

[@chrisp4899]

Stock cat and gpf ?

[@jamesrichardson4604]

Great review again as always, you do deserve more subscribers Andrew. Just received your calendar I ordered today .have a great Christmas and New year.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks James, glad the calendar arrived OK, hope you enjoy it in 2022 and have a great Christmas yourself.

[@markahomer]

Another really good review. This makes a lot of sense given the price of a Polo GTI, and as said town and country lane drivers would benefit. Reminds me little of earlier Golfs but I've driven this model.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Eric, glad you enjoyed!

[@aspiratedaloha2946]

Great video

[@alexislekkas]

hello my friend,which model is this intake??I can't find it anywhere and for polo aw will be another intake avalaible.

[@ThoBmusic]

Good question, I would like to know also about the intake!

[@LSD04]

The red interior trim is nasty

[@volkswizard]

Cheap black plastic has to be worse surely?!

[@kresa22]

Firstly, Merry Christmas to you, and your family. Good video. I hope that in the new year you will find some Polo 9n3 GTI CUP edition 🙂

[@raiseray25]

Can you review the the Cupra Formentor VZ2 310? I’ve seen your video on the Golf R and the T Roc R, but would be interested in your view and comments about the Formentor. Please make it happen. Keep up the good work.

[@volkswizard]

I've been in touch with Cupra UK to ask for this very car. They have loaned them out to people with far fewer views was my point, they asked for analytics from my channel which I supplied and never heard back, that was six weeks ago. I even sent a follow up message and was completely ignored that time (this is the PR boss). Clearly they prefer influencers who don't criticise to me who tells it as it is. That's because I am really not that bothered if they want to lend me a car or not or invite me to some press event as my channel doesn't depend on that content, this is quite rare in the KZbin world and my honesty is not very welcome it seems.

[@JOESURT]

Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Samld98]

Will you do any videos on the 2022 jetta gli? I'm seriously considering getting it next spring. But I'm also interested in the Camry XSE V6, only thing is it doesn't come with a manual 👎🏻. Id appreciate your take on it!

[@youraveragejoe1]

Bit late to the comment I know, but we don’t have the Jetta in the uk any more let alone the GLI. We might not have that Camry either as it’s not a popular car besides Taxis here

[@gamingmadforever6363]

I have standard polo gti 2018 . Had since may this year, and still absolutely love it to bits 😍

[@felipeg9367]

I recently brought one, one thing I noticed it drinks fuel pretty quick

[@gamingmadforever6363]

@@felipeg9367 well that depends on the driver for sure... I get average 40mpg .. if I put my teenage head on it drinks like mad..I put my sensible head on and its better than my diesel astra

[@felipeg9367]

@@gamingmadforever6363 hahaha do you just run it in eco on normal city drives

[@gamingmadforever6363]

@@felipeg9367 yeh eco or normal..sport and manual when my teenage head comes out lol

[@d4tjr165]

Being a 2019 would mean it has a OPF and mine has the res deleted and doesn’t sound that loud so someone is lying somewhere???

[@MarkyMMP]

Great Video.. It’s making think about my GTI Plus when the warranty runs out next year.. Especially the springs…

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Marky 👍

[@davonpointer2310]

Interesting video Andy. Like another comment on here, for me I’d buy a Polo if it came as manual, 3 door. RL clearly the way to go though. Thanks for all the videos this year, I’ve really enjoyed them. Have a great Xmas and here’s to a ‘lighter and brighter’ ‘22. Best, Dav.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Dav! The lack of 3 doors is a shame but there you go, they are all doing that now. A lighter brighter 22 would be good for everyone 🤞

[@jamesfender6717]

Just on the point when you said a golf r isn’t exciting. I currently own a manual stage 1 and I actually find it so exciting. I think I’d find that polo only coming in the dsg to be a bit boring. Anyways good vid again. Merry Christmas!

[@volkswizard]

Different strokes for different folks. If yours is a 7R then I'd be interested to know how long your clutch lasts. I was undecided between DSG and manual for many years but the fact VW fit weak clutches to manuals because they will always say it's bad driving that has killed it prematurely (something they can't say about DSG) has swung me towards DSG and I honestly don't miss manual in my Clubsport as I use the paddles when driving hard and excitement comes from managing the available grip. Might be slower than an R for sure (at least in the damp) but speed and excitement and 2 very different things.

[@jamesfender6717]

@@volkswizard hi mate, I’ve upgraded the clutch to a Sachs organic so the only problem I have is a sore leg in traffic

[@ceejay_gti1783]

Lil rockets ain’t they! Deffo need a remap me

[@usualdog]

Good video. If rear wiper delete is your thing you get a blanking grommet for about £1 not £25.

[@dogbite5509]

Great car, great video and a super calendar. Got mine in the week - brilliant. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@volkswizard]

Glad you like all 3 (especially the calendar!). Seasons greetings to you and yours too!

[@t5jerry]

a coolant cap for £84 and an oil cap for £72 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂SERIOUSLY, what`s the matter with these companies, if they had priced them at a "sensible price" ie, between £20-£35 ish demand would probably outstrip supply but at that price, no way J`ose. i think they`ve got 2 hopes, slim and none, and NONE`S just left town.....🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@kaamilalli1833]

agreed

[@macmac989]

Someone in sales is trying hard to extract the urine!!!!!!

[@macmac989]

And they should be freebies when getting a tuning package

[@fatwalletboy2]

I thought the same......a caps a cap ffs.

[@paulwoods4094]

I thought the same for an oil cap, that was an outrageous price.

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

the golf is only about 4 cm wider than a polo which is almost nothing

[@volkswizard]

Width isn't everything.

[@tmajec]

@@volkswizard 😆 I see what you did there.

[@MatthewHenly-py2lo]

Put those modifications on a GTI+ with the two years of development they hae put in and it would be another animal again

[@chrissdavey]

Great review thanks 👍

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for watching Chris, appreciate it

[@malcolmscott4150]

Fabulous video Andrew - I’d have 14 mods and ignore suspension mod and rear wiper delete and would prefer the wet clutch DSG 7 of Golf but those sounds I will never grow out of 👍🥳🎄

[@volkswizard]

Thanks again Malcolm! I think the DQ250 in the Polo GTI is wet clutch but the first gen DSG that started life in Mk1 TT and Mk5 GTI etc so not as sharp as the 7 speed DQ381 but way better than the dry clutch boxes and proven level of reliabilty. I'd like some decent quality springs and dampers and much less drop and a diff and then it would be a very serious piece of kit.

[@jayblake7005]

Nice vid , For the money, if you bought one at the right time i think they are excellent as standard for our local poor tight roads and ott policing . we have that model Polo but on 18 ,s plus few other extras and a mk7 Manual Golf GTI the Polo is really is a really good car without full mk8 cost cutting

[@vr6280]

Really glad you did another Polo GTI video - Have a great Christmas :)

[@volkswizard]

Thanks, me too, it's been 3.5 years since the last AW Polo one which was the first UK review video of that model and this one get's in just as that model is deleted! You have a great one too vr6280 👍

[@vr6280]

@@volkswizard I’m just looking at the new one vs the last of the pre-facelift. GTI vs R-Line vs 7.5 Golf. Not overly keen on the Polo facelift rear lights. It’s taken some of the Polo personality for me :( I have an R-Line AW now.

[@jackerrington9268]

I have the GTi plus running about 275 stage 1 plus! Great cars and dust Golf GTI’s and stock R’s (not off the line) I also have a brake upgrade but golf R mk7 brakes which again are 340mm so amazing

[@doomldn718]

What tyres you running? I have the GTI plus and seem to get wheel spin & wheel hop every time I accelerate :/ Dogbone Mount worth it?

[@SecretPlaybook]

Dust stock R’s. You ain’t dusting no stock R kiddo, unless it’s a mk6 not the 7’s. You must be racing R’s with shitty drivers

[@pauldavies7251]

@@SecretPlaybook I bet he is, stock golf r's are really underwhelming, A tuned polo would have no trouble keeping up it especially around the corners, I've had a standard golf a stage 1 & now I've got a stage 2 now that is an animal leaves M3's & M4's for dead

[@SecretPlaybook]

@@pauldavies7251 pretty much any car that’s AWD isn’t going to be S great as a car that’s front or RWD. Not to mention the drive train loss that and response with power delivery AWD has. So yea a polo or any other car would be more exciting/engaging Which stage 1 golf did you have and what stage 2 car do you have now. It’s easy near enough to have any car leave or keep up with another if you tune it to near enough the same power whist having smaller engine/cylinders and weighing less etc

[@jackerrington9268]

@@SecretPlaybook I mean a stock R has what 306bhp and 420nm? I have 275bhp and 460nm so yeah actually I do dust them. Power train loss is a bitch in the haldex and no no mk7 and 7.5…

[@dazzareader4773]

What a shame you had to ruin a good video by comparing it to yours at the end , whatever you have is always the best at the time ,hear it again and again in your vids , edition 40 , TCR , still a Golf R hater yet you've owned 2 !

[@matthewlfc4185]

I love my polo gti+ such a fun little car. Wish there were more mods for it.

[@florishurts4880]

Where can I buy these exact wheels?

[@volkswizard]

Try here but other places will be available, Team Dynamics is a UK brand so not too hard to find; www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/team-dynamics-pro-race-1-2-alloy-wheels-in-black-gloss-set-of-4-2000852/

[@florishurts4880]

@@volkswizard Thanks! And do you have a discount code for the brake pakkage?

[@NewHandle_]

Clear ass car I like this

[@t5jerry]

that`s a nice xmas treat video damon, cheers 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Jerry 👍

[@depthofshine]

Polo compact? its the same as a mk4 golf you need to try a 3 door 9N3 GTI now that's compact, and the 20VT sounds better to.

[@youraveragejoe1]

Yes it’s a small car, by modern standards I’d course, only 4 metres long

[@Samld98]

What kind of shoes are you wearing? The nice yellow ones

[@volkswizard]

My favorite shoes inspired by Mr. JWW 2 years ago! Very nice to drive in. Made by Danish firm Ecco, not sure if exact style is available but I'll be buying the nearest alternative very soon. gb.ecco.com/en-GB/Search?sort=bestsellers_14-1&gclid=CjwKCAiAn5uOBhADEiwA_pZwcAPaRtMr-X-ralWnMKTxJMDXI2zgUM9K7cxvnDUdbDb-aaGL2izaLxoCIaIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@edd95gti85]

This is a very low spec car. My 18 gti has more than this and sounds better as this doesn't sound much better. No digital dash no heated seats or tinted windows. Mite be as this could be a opf car, id recomend if you get one of these if you want to hear the exhaust fold the back seats down, untill you get an opf and back box as then yoy dont Also some of these mods are so over priced like the paddle extensions. Oil and coolant caps.

[@rcampbell4391]

Morning 🙂

[@resnonverba137]

The dreary looks and interior of the Polo are enough for it to be forgotten about before other issues are addressed.

[@volkswizard]

It's actually not that bad once you are in it, I'd say it's more uplifting than current A3/S3/RS3

[@Blackmamba12345]

Yes I agree. Surely it won't be here for long if VW pulls the plug on polo gti.

[@edd95gti85]

@@Blackmamba12345 they not long released the 2022 shape so mabe a few more years

[@gamingmadforever6363]

Shows how we are all different as I love the interior tbh....tartan seats especially..that's what makes it a gti... But as I say everyone different

[@whoisgoogle]

Baby GTi

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

this is a very low spec gti you can get them with full led Headlights, pan roof, digital instrument cluster, climate control and full leather seats etc.

[@jamesbutler606]

Is it a GTi if it has leather over tartan?

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

@@jamesbutler606 Good question but in South Africa we only get the leather option for the GTI's and while i do think leather looks more upmarket the tartan definitely looks more special

[@carcrazyguysa4059]

@@WaseemKhan-iu4bh in SA there are 3 options on the Polo GTI, Leather, partial Suede & Tartan.

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

@@carcrazyguysa4059 oh yes forgot about the alcantara/ leather which is standard

[@JFW5358]

It's probably bigger than the mk 1 Golf GTI.

[@harrywright5229]

Same size as a mk4 or 5 golf I think

[@TheStealer92]

I can never understand why you pick those cheap headlights -.- so ugly!

[@Bert_de_Wit]

Take away the speed, and you're just left with a boring polo. A tesla model 3 is more luxurious, more spacious, more comfortable, cheaper to fuel, same price and twice as fast. So if you like speed (the only reason to buy a gti) how would you feel to lose every single 0 - 60 to a bog standard tesla?

[@youtuber-cc8sx]

Tell me you know nothing about cars without telling me you know nothing about cars.