GTI in Sheep's Clothing

In a culture that equates hatchbacks with ‘cheap’ and ‘practical’, the VW Polo GTI sticks out like a sore thumb, and it should. Here’s an everyday hatch with special powers

- Debabrata Sarkar

It has been a hunt for the most serpentine of roads all day. I’m following pointers from motorcycle riders and cyclists, because you know they’re just better at this sort of thing. Charging through scattered villages and village ways shaded by tamarind trees, the kind that have been around long enough to form seamless arches with their twins on the other side. Surprisingly, though, the roads have remained good. Well marked, little traffic and smooth surfaces have kept us entertained, although the speed-breakers keep reappearing to mark every village and they need to be dealt with carefully. Why? Well, this isn’t any old Polo now, is it? This is the GTI and it is out on a hunt for a drive that will at least tickle its capabilities, if not more. In case you’re still confused, look closely. It has two doors, is lower, despite the bigger wheels and therefore, cannot ride over ostrich eggs, like the Polo you’re used to seeing.