Geneva Motor Show: Volkswagen Polo GTi

The GTI made a welcome return to the Polo line-up at Geneva. The diminutive hot hatch gets the same 1.4 TSI twincharger under the bonnet as the Seat Ibiza Cupra. The engine combines a supercharger and a turbocharger to deliver 178bhp via the front-wheels.

Like the Ibiza, the Polo will get VW's seven-speed DSG as standard, and hit 60mph in 6.9secs. The GTI will be available in three and five-door form, and gets a frightening array of three letter safety features to keep the performance in check (ESP, ASR, EDS etc).

Underneath, the GTI comes with stiffer dampers and springs which lower the car by 15mm compared to the normal Polo. Predictably, VW is making the usual promises about dynamic excellence and ride quality.