Spec comparo: Volkswagen Polo GTI vs Mini Cooper S vs Abarth 595 Competizione

Aditya Chatterjee Published: November 03, 2016, 06:11 PM IST

Volkswagen has brought in its hot hatch the Polo GTI to India at Rs 25.99 lakh, ex-Delhi. This pure performance spec hatchback is powered by a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine that is also seen in different states of tune in the group's other offerings like the Audi A3, Skoda Octavia and also the Skoda Superb. The 1.8-litre motor puts out an impressive 192PS of power between 5,400 to 6,200 rpm and generates 250Nm of torque at 1,250 to 5,300rpm. This motor is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. VW claims that the Polo GTI can do 0 to 100kmph in 7.2 seconds and can reach a top whack of 233kmph. The Polo GTI delivers 16.34 kmpl claims VW. Read our first drive review here.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Mini Cooper S

While the Volkswagen Polo GTI has no true rival in India, the other more premium option that sits in the hot hatch segment is the Mini Cooper S. This one draws its power from a turbo four-cylinder 1,998cc motor. The petrol motor in the Cooper S makes an identical 192PS at 4,700 to 6,000 rpm and a slightly higher torque at 280Nm at 1,250 to 4,750 rpm. Power is sent to front wheels with the help of an 6-speed automatic transmission. The Cooper S can reach from naught to 100kmph in 7.2 seconds with a claimed maximum speed of 233kmph. The Mini Cooper S delivers an overall efficiency of 10.40 kmpl. Here is our Mini Cooper S review.

Fiat Abarth 595

The Abarth 595 Competizione is offered with a 4-cylinder T-Jet 1368cc motor that also powers the Punto, Avventura and the Urban Cross cars in India. The motor makes 160PS of power at 5,500 rpm and generates 230Nm at 3,000rpm in Sport mode. While the other hatchbacks rely on an automatic unit, the Abarth's motor is mated to a sequential automated manual gearbox. In our test, the Abarth 595 Competizione did 0 to 100kmph in 8.8 seconds, with a claimed maximum speed of 209kmph. It returned an overall efficiency of 12.70kmpl. More details on the performance of the 595 Abarth here.

The Volkswagen Polo GTI measures 3,976mm in length that makes it a tad longer than the regular Polo while the width is 1,682mm and the height is 1,452mm (17mm shorter than the Polo). The wheelbase measures 2,468mm similar to that of the hatch. The Mini Cooper S is shorter by 126mm in length at 3,850mm and wider by 45mm at 1,727mm. With a height of 1,414mm, the Mini Cooper is shorter by 38mm than the GTI. The Abarth 595 Competizione has a length of 3,657mm, width of 1,627mm and a height of 1,485mm that makes it shorter and narrower than the Polo GTI but is taller by 32mm.

Spec Comparo Polo GTi Mini Cooper S Abarth infographic Revised

The Polo GTI is offered in a single trim only and comes equipped with LED headlamps with DRLs, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, hill start assist, electronic stability control and cruise control as standard. The Abarth 595 is offered with Xenon headlights, 7-inch TFT infotainment screen, Corsa fabric racing seats and parking sensors as standard equipment. The Mini Cooper S, on the other hand, looks far more premium with an multi-functional 6.5-inch infotainment system that supports both Android and iOS devices. Mini also offers a host of official apps that support the infotainment system. In terms of safety both the Cooper S and the Polo GTI get six airbags however the Abarth 595 gets seven.

As mentioned above, the Volkswagen Polo GTI is priced at Rs 25.99 lakh, ex-Delhi while the Mini Cooper S is available at Rs 31.50 lakh, making it close to Rs 5.5 lakh more expensive than the Polo. The Abarth 595 Competizione is available at Rs 29.85 lakh that makes is sit in between the Cooper S and the Polo GTI. While this is a spec comparison of the hot hatchbacks available in India, a real world comparo test can settle the dust once and for all. Till then here is a quick look at the specs and numbers of the three hatchbacks.

Spec Comparo Polo GTi Mini Cooper S Abarth Table_Revised