VW Polo R Line Adds Show Without the Go

Having an R badge on your car typically means that the car is quick, or at least quicker than its plebeian, non-R counterpart. However, the new European Polo R Line offers no such improvement. All of the "upgrades" for this trim are cosmetic. In other words, it looks fast, but it isn't. The Polo R Line differs visually from the standard Polo with sporty-looking front and rear bumpers, 16-inch aluminum wheels, tinted rear windows, and a black grille with R Line badging. Sport seats with cloth and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are added, letting the driver feel like he's driving a sports car, while aluminum pedals and doorsills make it look like he is. A six-speaker, iPod-compatible audio system also comes standard in the R Line. Under the Polo R Line's sporty makeup is the 105-hp, 1.2-liter turbo four found in the Polo SEL, mated to a six-speed manual. VW says this combo is good for a 0-to-62-mph stroll of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph. If the highest of performance is highest on your list of needs from a Polo, we'd suggest looking to the Polo GTI. The 1.4-liter turbo four found under that hood will make 75 more horses than what you get from the R Line. Which makes us wonder why it's designated as an R at all. Comparison Test: 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 vs. 2010 Volkswagen GTI First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Golf R U.S.-Spec Instrumented Test: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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