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 R’s success: ‘We get a lot of positive resonance out of the market and, perhaps soon, we will see other R models. But it’s always a question if the market is able to use the car, if they find them attractive. But yes, in principle it’s 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