If you’re looking at the image below and getting all excited at the prospect of a Polo R, don’t be fooled. Yes, it is sporting an ‘R’ badge on the grille but that’s all it is – a badge. This is the new Polo R-Line, a range of cosmetic add-ons to make the Polo look faster than it actually is.
Caching in on the success of the R division, Volkswagen have decided to spread the halo effect to some of the lesser models in their range. So here we have a Polo that has new bumpers, including that badge sitting on a gloss black grille. There are new sills, a rear diffuser, chrome-tipped exhausts and a body-colour spoiler, as well as 16-inch Mallory wheels.
Inside the R-Line borrows much of the GTI’s trim, including the ‘Kyalami’ trimmed sports seats. There is a splash of colour from aluminium inserts and a scattering of ‘R-Line’ logos.
Under the bonnet is a choice of almost all the engines available on the Polo, although it’s not clear if that includes the range-topping 1.4 TFSI from the GTI. Volkswagen are also offering an optional sports setup for the suspension that lowers the ride height by 15mm.
So while this isn’t really a Polo R it’s at least a nicer looking Polo, and it could be a hint of what’s to come if we get a production version of the Polo R. Availability in the United Kingdom is yet to be confirmed, as are prices.
