According to Autocar, Volkswagen has confirmed production plans of a four-wheel-drive Polo R. The success of 2013 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier’s Polo R WRC, car in its first full year of competition in 2013 plus the fact that Audi will be releasing a four-wheel-drive version of the sister A1 (called the S1) at the Geneva motor show, convinced the powers that be that it is the right decision.
Supposedly the four-wheel-drive VW Polo R will be a regular production model, unlike the front-wheel-drive VW Polo R WRC of last year (driven here) that was a 162 kW homologation special limited to 2 500 units.
The vehicle will be powered by a 2,0-litre turbopetrol engine delivering 184 kW. Power is sent to all four wheels (4Motion system) through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The benchmark acceleration time from standstill to 100 km/h is rumoured to be less than six seconds.
The vehicle will also be launched at the Geneva Motorshow in March this year. There has been no word yet on pricing or local availability.