By 2012, Volkswagen will be launching an R version of the Polo in 2012, according to an Autocar report. VW announced the establishment of its R division last month. This subsidiary produced the Golf and Scirocco R models that went on-sale earlier this year.

This division is believed to be what VW has created to rival Mercedes’ AMG and BMW’s M departments. Powering the VW Polo R is a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which can deliver around 210bhp. But unlike the Golf R, the Polo R will not be four-wheel drive as the Polo’s PQ25 platform can hold front-wheel drive only. The VW Polo GTI, which was unveiled last March at the Geneva motor show, will arrive this summer. Powering this car is a 177bhp 1.4-liter Twincharger engine, which possesses the lowest kerbweight in its class and has been styled to look like the larger Golf GTI. The transmission is a seven-speed DSG, with an electronic differential on the front axle. The GTI’s suspension is 15mm lower all round than that of the standard Polo. In addition, it will feature its own springs and dampers.

Click the title for the source