Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2013) hot hatch pictures and specs

This is the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, a rally car-inspired hot hatch that shoehorns Golf GTI power into a Polo bodyshell.

Deliveries of the strictly limited 2500-unit production run will commence in September 2013, but the bad news is that invitation doesn't extend to mainstream UK buyers. That said, VW hints that it could bring in a handful to the UK if there's enough demand.

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 217bhp and 258lb ft. By comparison, the not-long-for-this-world Mk6 Golf GTI puts out 207bhp and 207lb ft of torque.

Those figures power the front-wheel-drive, manual-gearshift Polo R WRC to 62mph in 6.4sec (0.8sec faster than its Golf GTI big brother) and on to a full-fat, hot hatch-baiting 151mph.

A chunky bodykit inspired by the new 2013 Polo R WRC rally car affords bigger grilles, a rear diffuser, and tailgate spoiler. Wheels are now multi-spoke 18-inch items, concealing upgraded brakes and wearing wider, lower-profile rubber.

Of course, there's the white paint job carrying blue and white stripe stickers, the corporate livery of the new VW WRC rally team, which will first take to the rally stage in Monaco in 2013, where the rally racer was first unveiled.

Not officially, no. VW has no plans to import a portion of the production run the Blighty. What's more, all are left-hand drive, and there's a hefty, Golf GTI-sized price to pay for all that Golf GTI performance. Prices on the continent start at €33,900, or around £27,000 in sterling.

VW hinted to CAR that if a die-hard VW enthusiast showed a desire to get their hands on one of the cars. an arrangement for a special order could be met, but for the most part this is a German-market machine. Instead, VW will offer an official aftermarket WRC-alike kit with stickers and bodykit addenda to Brits who want to sprinkle their Polo with some rally car stardust.

By Ollie Kew