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Limited-edition version of Volkswagen's small hatch is the fastest Polo ever, capable of 151mph and covering 0-62mph in 6. 4secVolkswagen has revealed the production version of its fastest-ever Polo – the 151mph, 217bhp Volkswagen Polo R WRC. It has been built to tie-in with Volkswagens entry into the 2013 World Rally Championship, and the Polo R WRC was officially unveiled at the launch of the rally team in Monte Carlo. The Volkswagen Polo R WRC was previewed by the Polo WRC Street concept shown at the VW Group-organised GTI Treffen event in Worthersee, Austria, in May. The high-performance, front-wheel drive hatch has hardly been changed from that concept to production. Based on the fifth-generation Polo platform, under the bonnet is the turbocharged 2. 0 TSI four-pot petrol engine found in the Golf GTI. In this hottest-ever Volkswagen Polo, the powerplant produces 217bhp at 4500-6300rpm and 258lb ft of torque between 2500-4400rpm. The car has a kerb weight of 1324kg (according to EC measurements, that figure includes a driver weighing 68kg, 7kg of luggage and a 90 per cent full fuel tank) although Volkswagens development boss Ulrich Hackenberg – who has driven the car during hot weather testing in South America – said that the Polo R WRC made use of some rally-inspired lightweight materials. Stressing the link between the road and rally Polos, Hackenberg also confirmed that the Polo R WRC was built to assist with the homologation of the rally machine. The design of the competition Polo must follow the road car version in key areas. Equipped with a short-shift six-speed manual gearbox, the Polo R WRC can sprint from 0-62mph in 6. 4sec, and hit a top speed of 151mph. The performance of the Polo R WRC should surpass that of its hot supermini rivals, such as the forthcoming Ford Fiesta ST and the class-leading Renaultsport Clio. The Polo R WRC also has a rally-inspired lower front spoiler with large air inlets, a spoiler on the rear edge of the roof and a rear diffuser, although there's no word on whether the latter adds a significant aerodynamic benefit. The three-door-only Polo rides on 18in alloys and 215/35 R 18 rubber, and is fitted with 16in disc brakes. The motorsport-inspired interior features WRC-badge seat covers, an Alcantara steering wheel, black roof liner and racing-style pedals. The exterior gets WRC badging on the rear and R logos front and rear, while the white and blue/grey livery ties in with the Polo WRC competition car. Claimed fuel consumption is 38mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions are put at 174g/km. Just 2500 examples of the Polo R WRC will be built, and the car will only be available in left-hand drive. Advance orders will start on 11 December, with deliveries scheduled to start in September 2013. The car will cost €33,900. Volkswagen UK hasnt decided whether it will officially import a limited number of cars, although it is assessing potential interest.
