Volkswagen is having considerable success with the current generation Golf R and could be looking to expand the range of R-badged cars in the future. Head of powertrain development at VW, Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser expressed that it was possible to make an R variant for nearly every model in the range but stressed that commercial viability would determine which R models would make it to production.
Polo R to come?
Dr Neusser spoke of the Golf Rs success: We get a lot of positive resonance out of the market and, perhaps soon, we will see other R models. But its always a question if the market is able to use the car, if they find them attractive. But yes, in principle its always possible to do it.
The most likely candidates for R treatment would be the Polo and the Passat. The Polo has already been given R badging in limited numbers in the form of the VW Polo R WRC Street. The WRC Street sold in a limited run of 2500 units though.
On the Passat side things get more interesting as Dr Neusser spoke of six-cylinder engines featuring turbochargers as a possible powerplant. More than likely power would be combined with 4-Motion all-wheel drive.
* VW Polo R WRC Street pictured
