Volkswagen has revealed a road-going hatch that pays tribute to its new Polo R WRC car.
Unlike the all-wheel drive rally machine, the road car sends its urge to the front wheels and it doesn't come close to matching the outputs of the highly-tuned FIA-spec 1.6-litre turbopetrol motor, which pushes 232kW and 425Nm.
But the Polo R WRC road car is still going to be one heck of a hot hatch.
Based on the concept car shown at the Wörthersee Tour festival earlier this year, it is powered by a 162kW/350Nm version of VW's familiar 2-litre turbopetrol engine, linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.
According to VW, the three-door hatch will dart from zero to 100km/h in just 6.4 seconds, and reach a top speed of 243km/h. A sportier chassis set-up is in place to ensure the handling to match the performance.
The bad news, of course, is that the Polo R WRC won't be coming to South Africa as only left-hand drive versions will be built. Even overseas customers are going to have a hard time getting on the list as just 2500 of them will ever be built.
To help this exclusive hatch stand out in the parking lot, VW has given it a set of exclusive body stripes, 18-inch alloys, bolder front bumper, large rear spoiler and diffuser.
Inside the special edition, you'll find some Alcantara fabric and aluminium trim in various places.
Source: Carscoop.blogspot.com