Volkswagen Polo to Receive an R Version

Volkswagen’s performance division, R GmbH, plans to get its hands on the Polo, according to Autocar. After the Scirocco R and the Golf R, which are already on sale, the engineers at “R GmbH” will build a performance version based on the Polo. The car is scheduled to appear in 2012.

Formally announced in March, R GmbH represents for Volkswagen what AMG and M divisions are for Mercedes-Benz and BMW respectively. The subsidiary is responsible for building high-performance variants of current Volkswagen models.

Currently, the most powerful Polo is the GTI, which has a 1.4-liter twincharger engine that puts out 180 horsepower. By comparison, the Polo R will break the 200 horsepower mark, with reports suggesting a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that will develop around 210 horsepower. The car will be front-wheel drive, since Polo’s PQ25 platform can’t receive an all-wheel drive system.

Until the launch of the R model, Polo GTI will be the range-topper. Styled to match its bigger brother, the Golf GTI, the car will go on sale this summer and will have the advantage of the lowest kerbweight in its class.

Polo GTI features a seven-speed DSG transmission and an XDS electronic differential on the front axle (just like the Golf GTI). The suspension is lowered by 15 millimeters as compared to the standard Polo and is also stiffer and sportier, thanks to new springs and dampers.

The Polo will cost around EUR20,000 ($26,000) when it goes on sale in August. The price corresponds to the three-door variant. A five-door model will also be available.