New Polo R adds zip to VW range 30 | 04 | 2012

VOLKSWAGEN HAS INCREASED the appeal of its Polo range by introducing the new Polo R Line. Prices for the sporty Polo — which is available to order now, with Scottish dealerships expecting to make first deliveries in July — start at £15,195 for the three-door, and rise to £15,815 for the five-door.

Externally the R Line is distinguished by a unique styling pack, consisting of deeper, sportier R Line front and rear bumpers, a black gloss radiator grille with R Line badging, deeper side sills and 16in ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels.  

From the B-pillars back, the glass is dark-tinted and 65% light-absorbing, while the standard front foglights also include a static cornering function. 

Inside the cabin there's sports seats with ‘Kyalami’ cloth upholstery and an R Line logo on the headrests, along with a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel with R Line logo and aluminium-capped pedals, while the roof lining is finished in black cloth.

VW up! named World Car of the Year

There's also fairly comprehensive standard equipment, including an RCD 310 radio/CD player with six speakers and multi-device interface for plugging in an iPod or other compatible device, ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic air-con, a multifunction trip computer, electric windows (including in the rear on five-door models), height-adjustable front seats, a split-folding rear-seat backrest, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, front and rear reading lights, a tyre pressure monitor and, of course, remote central locking.

Just one engine is available in the R Line: the existing 105 PS 1.2TSI petrol unit, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.  And it's no slouch. It will hit 62mph from standstill in 9.7 seconds, and carry on to a top speed of 118mph. It also returns 53.3mpg on the combined cycle, and emits just 124g/km of CO2.

VW goes extreme with new Amarok

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

Jim McGill