Road Test and Review: Volkswagen Polo GT 1.2 TSI

By Clint Thomas | Full Throttle 

This one’s for the enthusiasts. If you wonder how on earth a 1.2 litre engine is going to impress an enthusiast, digest this: the new Polo GT is powered by a turbo-charged direct injection TSI petrol engine that develops a mighty 105PS and 174 Nm of torque, offering better performance than the discontinued 1.6 litre Polo. Those who cribbed about the Polo 1.2 being underpowered and the 1.6 being defunct would both find solace in the new Polo TSI.

Design

We love the Polo for its classic, sober design and there are not many changes that make the new Polo different from its predecessor. However, on the exterior, the new Polo TSI gets headlamps with black finish, GT badging on the front grille, new alloy wheels and GT TSI badging on the boot lid as well as the C pillar.

The interior gets a more serious makeover that reflects the car’s sportiness. Seats get a new black and grey fabric combination and are supportive, too. The steering wheel, gearshift knob and the handbrake lever are leather-wrapped and foot pedals get aluminum finish.

The new Polo TSI also gets climate control and 2 Din music system inherited from the Vento. Overall interior plastic quality is impressive.

Polo’s cramped rear legroom has been a known issue and Volkswagen has slightly addressed it by chiseling up the front seats, however, that doesn’t mean you get ample legroom in the new Polo.

Performance

Alright, let’s cut to the chase, the new Polo is all about absolute performance and you already know that from the figures.  174 Nm of torque is a remarkable output for a car of this size; even sweeter is the fact that the peak torque is available from as low as 1500 rpm and all the way to 4100 rpm.  Since the superior performance is achieved with the help of a turbocharger, there’s an inevitable lag but the clever ratios of the DSG gearbox mask it well.

Speaking of the 7 speed DSG automatic gearbox, it deserves special mention for milking the best out of the TSI while maximizing fuel efficiency. Volkswagen claims an ARAI certified mileage of 17.2 kmpl, but during the performance test the figure was hovering around 12-14 kmpl. Well, I wouldn’t say that’s too bad for a performance car.

The Polo TSI can sprint from 1-100 kmph in 9.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 190 kmph -- certainly faster than the 1.6 Polo. The DSG box offers three driving modes – ‘D’, ‘S’ and manual. In the ‘D’ mode, the DSG upshifts earlier and ensures better fuel efficiency while the Sport mode holds on to the gear till the rev limit before shifting. Manual shifting is lever-actuated and I missed paddle shifters big time when looking for some engine braking and a quick burst of power thereafter. Also, that’s when I wondered if the DSG was slightly confused.

The suspension is strong enough to complement the performance; it handles tightly around corners but doesn’t shake your teeth out on a rough patch.

In short, the new Polo GT TSI packs a fair punch and has enough substance to blow your mind. My sole disappointment is that it comes only with the top trim level, which makes it a very expensive option.

In a diesel-crazy nation, there still exist many petrol-loyalists who seek pure performance and this one’s for them.

The new Volkswagen Polo GT 1.2 TSI is available in only one trim level and is priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Download full technical specifications here

9 Tips for Soft, Beautiful Hands

Bollywoodshaadis.com 

The most used part of the body, yet most neglected are our hands. They do so much for us, but we still take them for granted. In addition to the harsh weather, pollutants, we subject them to much more harassment than any other part of the body. Be it while washing clothes, dishing utensils or cleaning or working hard, they are constantly being roughed up by harsh detergents or chemicals.

Perhaps, the most precious gift for giving is being treated with negligence and we are unaware of it. However, it is time to take cues from the remedies listed below and extend our gratitude to them.

 Be gentle

For soft and beautiful hands, one need not spend thousands on manicures. A little care and protection is all that calls for its daily care. While washing, choose a mild soap or liquid to cleanse your hands. Slather a gentle moisturising cream or Vaseline to replenish the lost moisture every time you wash your hand or before going to bed.

Wear Gloves

Protect them by wearing rubber gloves while washing clothes and utensils, gardening and any other activity that involves harsh chemicals. This will prevent cracked fingertips and brittle nails.

Scrub

Scrubbing hands once a week is good to rid the hands of dead cells. It will also enhance the cell renewal process. If dry skin, try using sea salt as a scrub.

Milky-way

Soaking hands in lukewarm water or milk is another way of strengthening the nails. Just 10-15 minutes daily task will strengthen them!

Massage

Massage is a wonderful way to stimulate blood circulation in your hands. Spread some cream on the back of your hand and rub it gently with the other back of your hand. Repeat the same for other hand. A few days of this exercise will make your hands soft and smooth.

Calcium Supplements

White spots on nails are a signal of nutritional deficiencies or some nail trauma. To tackle the problem, take calcium supplements or foods rich in calcium and Vitamin C. Meanwhile, allow the nails to outgrow and then trim them to get rid of the yellowness or the white spots. Also, avoid aggressive manicure during this time. Moisturising with Vitamin E oil and applying an antifungal nail polish such as Ciclopirox can help hide the white spots.

Say no to some habits

Nail biting, digging, scratching or peeling can also cause brittleness, so say goodbye to those bad habits and resort to some other means to vent out your anxiousness.

Kitchen Remedies

Kitchen counter ingredients can sometimes save that manicure bill. Coconut oil, olive oil, glycerine, honey, milk cream are all natural moisturisers that would do wonder to soften your pretty hands.

Diet

Lastly, focus on your diet. What you eat is important, so grab those soya products that are rich in protein. Eat more Vitamin B and other vitamin supplements to strengthen the nails. Remember healthy and strong nails are a result of a good diet and a little love.

Even now when you are reading this article, your hands are playing an important role, be it in using the mouse, or pressing the keyboard buttons. So pamper these super active organs with the above-mentioned pointers and discover soft supple and beautiful hands!
 

5 Deadly Things that can Kill your Relationship

Separation does not take place by accident. The seed of estrangement builds up slowly when people tend to avoid things that matter most. Studies reveal that divorce rate has increased tremendously around the world. But why relationships are falling apart?

Bollywoodshaadis.com 

No marriage is perfect. Even the ones that have lasted for decades have ups-and-downs. While some work towards enduring it, many fall to one of the many reasons for divorce. However, separation does not take place by accident. The seed of estrangement builds up slowly when people tend to avoid things that matter most. Studies reveal that divorce rate has increased tremendously around the world. But why relationships are falling apart? Let us find out the top reasons that are causing divorce globally.

Communication breakdown
Lack of proper communication creates gaps among couples and leads to misunderstandings. Often women expect that their husbands will figure out what they really want, but the bitter truth is that men are no face readers. If you have a problem, discuss! Do not assume things; if in doubt, clarify. And guys please - if you love her, show it! Communication is not just about talking; it is about expressing and understanding. In many cases, marriages break down only because couples talk but do not communicate.

Infidelity

Adultery is one of the most common reasons of divorce. Even after years, the world has not forgotten the illicit affair of Prince Charles with Camilla that wrecked Princess Diana’s marriage with him. There are many such men and women who indulge in infidelity and wreck their own marriages. When partners become unfaithful to one another, divorce becomes the only solution.

Money matters

Money either can make your life better or can make it worse. There is no middle ground when it comes to money. Disagreements over financial responsibilities or monetary investments can cause much stress in a relationship often leading it to divorce. Though it may not be a primary cause of separation, it is certainly a significant contributor. It is recommended that you manage your funds with mutual understanding, fairness, and a tiny dose of compromise.

Sexual incompatibility

Satisfactory intimate relationship plays an important role in a successful marriage. Physical compatibility is essential to build a strong emotional bond. Sexual dissatisfaction or reproductive incapability often causes frustration leading to divorce. In case your sexual drives do not synchronize, it is better to seek medical help than calling it a quit.

Addiction

Marriage, family, and drug addiction certainly do not blend well. Addiction may include over use of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. It can be worse when combined with emotional, physical, or physiological abuse. Addiction is one of the most draining reasons for divorce or separation and should be given immediate professional attention.

Mumbai pip Punjab in thriller in IPL6

Yahoo! Cricket 

Also See: Scorecard | Gallery | Bangalore's touring woes continue

Mumbai: Mumbai Indians held their nerve to pip Kings XI Punjab by four runs at the Wankhede stadium on Monday.

Kings XI began their chase of the 175-run target, knowing that they had been careless with the ball. Mandeep Singh was sent packing by Malinga, playing across, only to be yorked. One drop Manan Vohra drove the ball straight to point. 16/2. Not a good start.

But did you see the catch of the match?

Shaun Marsh smashed Pragyan Ojha with a shot that was all set to clear long on, where Kieron Pollard was watching. Just as the ball was set to sail over the ropes, Pollard jumped, at the right time, to pick up an excellent one-handed catch that brought the crowd at the stadium to their feet. If there was any hope left- it would be upto the two Davids- Hussey and Miller to see them through.

Hussey would contribute 34, and Miller did his best to take the match to the end, despite losing partners at the other end. After smashing his fifth six, the left-hander hit the ball straight to Sachin Tendulkar at cover. As he walked back to the dugout for 56, it was clear that Mumbai had picked up a big wicket.

17 from 6. Praveen Kumar did well to take four runs, and was peeved when Asad Rauf failed to call a no-ball when Kulkarni sent a ball over the waist. He smashed a six, one-handed, to bring the target down to five from the last delivery. All he managed to do was hit the ball to Tendulkar at point.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar struck two boundaries, had long discussions with the umpire over his issues with the sight screen, before being bowled by Praveen Kumar courtesy an inside edge. Dinesh Karthik joined Dwayne Smith, and the two put together a 32-run partnership, before Karthik lost his furniture to Gony.

Smith carried on, smashing Gony for three fours, before turning his attention to Chawla, hitting the leg-spinner for a six. Eager to carry on in the same vein, Smith paid the price, being caught by Miller at long-on.

It would be the last wicket that Mumbai would lose.

Kieron Pollard walked in and smashed a six off the very first ball he faced. Kings XI had an opportunity to stump the big man, when Pollard stepped out, only to miss. Keeper Gurkeerat failed to put two gloves around the ball, allowing the West Indian to get away. Rohit Sharma went hammer and tongs thereafter, getting his front foot out of the way, to smash the ball over midwicket for a huge six.

There would be five more sixes from Sharma’s bat.

After sending a bouncer from Azhar Mahmood for his second six, Sharma went inside out to clear long-off for his third. Praveen Kumar bowled a relatively tight penultimate over, giving away only eight, when Kings XI skipper David Hussey decided to bring himself on for the final six deliveries. There would be carnage, as Sharma smashed three sixes and two fours, adding 27 to Mumbai’s total off the final over.

174/3 would be a winning total. If you noticed, Adam Gilchrist sat out. Would he have allowed Hussey to bowl the last over?

Bangalore's touring woes continue in IPL

GAME 40: Samson, Watson propel Rajasthan to four-wicket win.

Yahoo! Cricket 

Samson led the way with a brisk 63.

It was going to be Shane Watson’s game. The Rajasthan Royals all-rounder turned the game around with a critical spell of 3-22 after Chris Gayle had given the Royal Challengers Bangalore a fearsome start. Watson then made precious runs coming in to bat at No. 4 that helped Rajasthan chase down the target of 171. But it was young Sanju Samson who was the star of the show.

The wicketkeeper batsman from Trivandrum struck a pristine 63 in 41 balls to propel the chase that was capped off by Watson and Brad Hodge in the final over. It left Bangalore searching for their first win away – they have now lost four out of four after winning all six at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The highlight of Samson’s innings were the two sixes he hit off Murali Kartik – two gorgeously-timed lofts over extra cover to welcome the veteran spinner to the crease. In a partnership of 68, Samson was the aggressor to Watson.

The game got tight at the end with Rajasthan losing wickets in a heap. Watson perished to a miscued pull, Hodge was bowled by Vinay Kumar’s slower ball, and Owais Shah lost after taking on Virat Kohli’s arm. It still wasn’t a tall ask as Stuart Binny hammered a four through midwicket to end the game.

A GAYLE MINI-SHOW

Gayle’s record-breaking hundred last whet the appetite of cricket fans around India to such a degree, they simply want to see him hit some of his big sixes. So what if has to do that to their home team. Such was the case at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium today where Gayle – easily the most popular overseas cricket at the IPL – began the game with a flurry of boundaries.

The crowd cheered him on. They wanted their team Rajasthan to do well, but they wanted to see a big performance from Gayle even more. Gayle started off with three fours off the first over by Ajit Chandila – an edge past point, a gentle tap down the ground, and then a sweep.

He turned his attention to Faulkner and Sreesanth: a bludgeon through midwicket, two thumps down the ground and another bludgeon through midwicket. Bangalore were 39-0 in three overs and Gayle had barely warmed up. What was he going to do today?

Then, Rahul Dravid brought on Watson. He and Gayle have had their skirmishes over the years and when the seamer served Gayle a harmless looking ball outside off, Gayle edged it to the wicketkeeper. Watson grinned, but there was no repeat of the exaggerated celebrations he had once annoyed Gayle with.

Kohli held the innings together, but a blow to his elbow first ball from Faulkner possibly curtailed the movement of his right arm. His 32 in 35 balls were not what Bangalore needed after Gayle’s brisk start.

Faulkner has been in the thick of the action this week. He took 5-20 in the last game against Hyderabad and is currently one of the top wicket-takers in the tournament. Today, he showed he can field too. Two catches, a run-out – all critical wickets – helped Rajasthan keep Bangalore to 171, a score they would have still struggled to reach had Vinay Kumar not struck the young Tasmanian pacer for three sixes in the final over.

Watson, Samson keep Royals' citadel intact

Rajasthan Royals 173 for 6 (Samson 63, Watson 41) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 171 for 6 (Gayle 34, Watson 3-22) by 4 wickets

	Shane Watson pitched in with an all-round effort, picking up three wickets and scoring 41 © BCCI  Enlarge

For the second time this season, Rajasthan Royals promoted a wicketkeeper to No. 3, and stunned the opposition to set up a win. Chasing 172, with Shane Watson, Brad Hodge and Owais Shah yet to bat, Kerala's 18-year-old Sanju Samson scored 63 off 41, leaving Royals 56 to get off 34 balls, which Royals chased but not without the mandatory inexplicable drama that is the IPL's USP. Watson, who left the chase all but finished, had been instrumental in keeping Royal Challengers, who have now lost all their four away matches, down with the wickets of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli among his three.

The game began with Royals presenting Gayle spin when hostile short bowling has only managed to trouble him. Gayle raced away, but Watson got him for 34 off 16 with an innocuous-looking delivery angling away from him. From 44 for 1 in four overs, Royal Challengers went without a boundary for 6.1 overs. The run rate fell, and when AB de Villiers and Kohli tried to correct they both holed out.

With the innings not going anywhere, R Vinay Kumar gave them a fighting target with three sixes of James Faulkner in the final over, two of those off slower balls. Faulkner had had a good birthday until then with two catches a run-out. Vinay would try to turn the game around in the last over of the next innings too, but that's for later.

In the chase, Royals stayed with their plan of using Watson lower down the order. Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane opened, and got them off to a swift enough start, but it was Samson who pinched Royal Challengers. There might have been the odd slog, but a major part of the innings relied on cricketing shots. The standout was successive sixes over extra cover to welcome Murali Kartik. He would have hoped he had not recovered from his illness in time for this match.

Those sixes took Royals to 60 for 2 in 7.2 overs, and the chase was on its way. Watson played the second fiddle while Samson went at it, reaching 25 off 21 by the time Samson fell. Watson and Hodge went about with the pursuit coolly until Hodge seemed to have killed off the chase with two sixes of Ravi Rampaul in the 18th over. If you though 18 off 15 was the done thing, though, you haven't watched enough of IPL.

Watson top-edged RP Singh in the next over, but six off six was easy enough. However, Hodge tried to finish it off in one hit, and was bowled to leave five to get off four. Owais Shah then managed to get run out at the non-danger end, and we were smack in the middle of an IPL implosion. Back to same last-over characters: Vinay and Faulkner.

Faulkner took the single, and then Stuart Binny pulled a four to beat the team that carries his home city's name.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Smoked Stuffed Chicken with Ranch Vegetables

Cook time:3h

Ingredients

• 1 large roasting chicken (5-6 pounds)
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons KC Masterpiece® BBQ Seasoning
• 4 large garlic cloves, quartered
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup sliced zucchini
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
• 4 medium red potatoes, chopped
• 1 cup KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce Original

Directions

1. 1Light grill using Kingsford® Charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves.™ Rinse inside and outside of chicken.
2. 2Season inside with salt and pepper.
3. 3Season outside with barbecue seasoning.
4. 4Place garlic and all vegetables, except potatoes, into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
5. 5Sprinkle vegetables with dressing mix, salt and pepper; mix together.
6. 6Stuff cavity of chicken with half of vegetable mixture.
7. 7Place chicken in shallow baking dish.
8. 8Mix potatoes with remaining vegetables.
9. 9Place onto pieces of foil; fold sides over and seal tightly, forming small cooking pockets.
10. 10Poke a few holes top of pocket.
11. 11Mound coals on one side of grill.
12. 12Place chicken on side of grill without coals; grill.
13. 13Baste outside of chicken with barbecue sauce every hour of cooking.
14. 14Grill for 3 hours until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F.
15. 15After 2 hours, place foil pouch with potato-vegetable mixture on grill.
16. 16Remove from grill with chicken.

Yummy Chicken Kebab

Servings:5

cook time:1h30min

A healthy alternative to red meat, chicken packs in protein aplenty. Try this healthy, easy-to-make chicken kebab recipe this weekend and surprise your family.

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken mince
• 10-12 cloves, crushed Garlic
• 1/2 inch piece, crushed Ginger
• 2-3 finely chopped Green chilies
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped Coriander leaves
• 1 (optional) Egg
• 1 tbsp Cornflour
• To taste Salt
• 2 tbsp for shallow fry Oil

Directions

1. 1Mix the chicken mince, garlic, ginger and green chillies in a blender till you get a smooth paste. Pour the contents into a bowl, and add salt.
2. 2Add coriander leaves and mix well.
3. 3Add a beaten egg and cornflour and mix thoroughly.
4. 4Make a well in the centre of the mixture and put a burning charcoal into it. Add a teaspoon of ghee and cover it for 10 minutes. This gives a smoky flavour to the kebab.
5. 5Put the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Remove it and make small round kebabs or put it on a skewer and put it into a tandoor.
6. 6Baste with oil at regular intervals and remove when done. Alternately, one can shallow fry it in a non-stick pan. Serve hot with mint/coriander chutney. It needs very little oil.
7. 7Serve hot with mint/coriander chutney. It needs very little oil.

Summer Veggie 'n' Barbeque Chicken Pizza

By Hidden Valley 

Cook time:30min

Ingredients

• 1 cup onion slices
• 1 cup zucchini slices
• 1 cup red, yellow and green pepper slices
• ½ cup mushroom slices
• ½ cup KC Masterpiece® Marinade Garlic & Herb
• 1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
• ¼ cup KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce Original
• Fresh oregano leaves, chopped, optional

Directions

1. 1Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. 2Toss onion, zucchini, peppers and mushrooms with KC Masterpiece® Marinade Garlic & Herb.
3. 3Spread in a single layer on rimmed baking sheet and roast in oven 25 minutes or until softened and edges are browned.
4. 4Note: This step can be done the day before.
5. 5Lightly grill using Kingsford® Briquets.
6. 6On a lightly-floured work surface, roll out dough into a 15-inch circle.
7. 7Brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
8. 8Lay dough onto grill, oil side down.
9. 9Cover and grill about 3 minutes or until dough is puffed and underside is browned.
10. 10Using tongs, turn pizza over and quickly spread with dressing.
11. 11Scatter cheese, vegetables and chicken over dressing and cover grill.
12. 12Grill 2–3 minutes or until cheese is melted and underside of pizza is browned.
13. 13Use tongs to slide onto cutting board.
14. 14Drizzle KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce Original on top and sprinkle with chopped oregano, if desired.

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa

By Hidden Valley 

Ingredients

• ¾ cup Hidden Valley® Organic Ranch dressing
• 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and finely chopped (These ingredients are available on
• the Mexican food aisle, or the Ethnic/Gourmet aisle of your grocery store)
• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from can, above)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 pound chicken tenders, each cut into 3 equal pieces
• ½ pineapple, rind and core removed, flesh cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 large mango, peeled, flesh cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 small red onion, quartered and separated into layers
• Oil for grilling (about 2 tablespoons)
• ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro
• 1 lime, quartered

Directions

1. 1In medium bowl, combine Hidden Valley® Organic Ranch dressing, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, honey, lime juice and salt.
2. 2Stir well.
3. 3Assemble 4 skewers from ingredients in following order: onion, chicken, mango, chicken, pineapple, chicken, onion.
4. 4Repeat twice more to complete the skewer.
5. 5Lay skewers in shallow pan.
6. 6Pour ¼ cup of marinade into small dish and set aside.
7. 7Brush remaining marinade over skewers, coating all sides evenly.
8. 8Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate about an hour.
9. 9Light charcoal fire and let burn until charcoal is covered with gray ash but still very hot.
10. 10Or, if using gas grill or grill pan, set on medium-high heat.
11. 11When grill grates or grill pan are quite hot, remove skewers from marinade (discard excess marinade in pan); brush lightly with oil.
12. 12Lay oiled skewers on hot grates and grill until marked on all four sides and cooked through,Arrange skewers on serving platter, drizzle with reserved ¼ cup marinade, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.