VW's new 151mph Polo R WRC 10 | 12 | 2012

VOLKSWAGEN HAS LIFTED the wraps from its fastest-ever Polo, the new 151mph, 217bhp Polo R WRC.

Built to tie-in with VW's entry into next year's World Rally Championship, only 2500 examples of the left-hand drive-only Polo R WRC will be built.

Based on the fifth-generation Polo platform, it's powered by a turbocharged 2.0 TSI four-cylinder petrol engine found in the Golf GTI. The front-wheel drive hatch covers the 0-62mph sprint in 6.4sec.

Built to assist with the homologation of the rally machine, the car has a kerb weight of 1324kg: that, according to EC measurements, includes a driver weighing 68kg, 7kg of luggage and a 90% full fuel tank.

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Equipped with a short-shift six-speed manual gearbox, the Polo R WRC should surpass the performance of its hot supermini rivals, including the forthcoming Ford Fiesta ST and the class-leading Renaultsport Clio.

VW claims fuel consumption figures of 38mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 174g/km.

Priced at €33,900, order books open on December 11, with first deliveries expected in September next year.

Worth highlighting though that so far Volkswagen UK hasn’t decided whether it will officially import a limited number of cars. It is though assessing potential interest.

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Jim McGill