Volkswagen's newly established R department is in "all systems go" mode to produce R versions of Volkswagen's already successful models. This department was set up to compete against BMW's M division->ke546, Mercedes-Benz's AMG, and Audi's Quattro->ke2463. After the Scirocco R and Golf R were produced by this new and speedy division, Volkswagen announced plans for an R version for the Polo hatchback. According to the British magazine AutoCar, the Polo R will be revealed in 2012 and will be placed above the current Polo GTI that is expected to go on sale in August for about £18,000. The pictures we show here are of the 2011 Volkswagen GTI, but we figured it would give an idea of what the Polo R would look like except for the Polo R would apear as a smaller version of the GTI.

The 2012 Polo R will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which is tipped to produce around 210bhp. However, unlike the Golf R, the Polo R will not be four-wheel drive as the Polo's PQ25 platform can only accommodate front-wheel drive.

Like the other two R models, the Polo R is expected to carry the same R division marks: large air intake openings in the front bumper, integrated front spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, roof edge spoiler, a striking shining black diffuser, the chrome tailpipes of the dual exhaust system, and 18" alloy wheels.

Unfortunately, none of these R variants have been confirmed for U.S. sales, but, hey, what else is new?

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