2012 Volkswagen Polo R Previewed In New Rendering: Report

FOLLOWING the launch last month of Volkswagen's R performance dvision, new reports this week suggest that the German giant is working on an R variant of the recently-revealed 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI.

According to British magazine Autocar, the range-topping hardcore Polo R could be upon us by 2012, giving the upcoming Polo GTI its time in the sun as the range-topper.

Our new rendering, above and below, offers a glimpse of how the Polo R could look if it becomes a reality.

While the Polo GTI is powered by a turbo- and super-charged 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine developing a respectable 135kW, the Polo R will reportedly feature a larger 1.6 litre unit producing around 160kW.

Unlike the all-wheel-drive Golf R, the Polo R would likely maintain the hatch's front-wheel-drive layout, with the PQ25 platform unable to accommodate an all-paw arrangement.

For now, Volkswagen R's range consists of the European-market Scirocco R (under consideration for Australia, but unlikely to debut down-under) and the upcoming Golf R. Due to make a local debut around in June, technical details for the Australian-delivered Golf R were uncovered by TMR last month.

The 2010 Volkswagen Polo range enters the Australian market this week, with TMR's Tony O'Kane attending the media launch today. The range-topping Polo GTI is scheduled to launch later this year.