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Volkswagen rules out more potent Polo R

Volkswagen may be planning ever more powerful versions of its Golf, but don't expect that lust for power to trickle down to the smaller Polo anytime soon as the German automaker has reportedly ruled out the prospect of making a Polo R. This according to Autovisie, the automotive section of Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, in speaking to VW representatives at the launch of the new Polo GTI. Where the previous Polo GTI offered 177 horsepower, the new one packs 189 and is available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The company briefly offered a Polo WRC Street with 220 horsepower, but that was only for a limited edition that Autovisie says will not be repeated for mainstream production. Which may just be for the best, as far as we're concerned, as no versions of the Polo are offered in the US, and we don't need yet another piece of forbidden fruit we can't get our hands on. The decision may seem at odds with the Polo R WRC rally machine with which Volkswagen has been dominating the World Rally Championship for the past two seasons, but was likely made in order to keep the Polo from infringing on Golf territory. VW currently offers the Golf GTI with 210 horsepower and the Golf R with 292, and showcased an even more powerful version with nearly 400 hp.

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

The all-new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hasn't even launched here in the United States, but over in Geneva, we're already getting our first glimpse at the hotter GTI hatchback. The fancy new Mk VII Golf is already off to a healthy start with positive reviews in Europe, and we have no doubt that this next GTI will work hard to regain its title as king of the hot hatches.
The big news for this generation of GTI is that for the first time ever, Volkswagen is actually offering two different power grades for the model, both relying on the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. Standard cars pack 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but an optional performance pack ups the horsepower number to 230. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes 6.5 seconds (6.4 with the performance pack) and top speed is quoted at 153 mph (or 155 with the performance kit). Volkswagen will continue to offer the GTI with both six-speed manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
On the visual front, the sub-3,000-pound GTI adds the usual bit of hot hatch aggression over the standard Golf, and those changes carry over to the interior with a flat-bottomed wheel and, of course, plaid seats. She's certainly a looker, and while some of us do find the new Golf's design to be a bit staid and evolutionary, the enhancements for the GTI indeed tug on our enthusiast heart strings.

Volkswagen Caddy gets the Alltrack treatment for Frankfurt

We've seen Alltrack versions of the VW Golf and Passat. The German automaker's commercial vehicles division has even done a concept version of the Multivan with a similar treatment. And now it's taking that same rugged off-road approach with the Caddy van. The new Caddy Alltrack starts off with the latest, fourth-generation city van revealed earlier this year in Geneva, and beefs it up to replace the previous Cross Caddy. That comes down principally to black trim on the wheel arches, side sills, bumpers, and underbody protection with metallic accents. It also packs unique 17-inch alloys, fog lights, chrome trim on the grille, silver roof rails, a new optional beige metallic paint (pictured), and Alltrack logos galore. The interior has similarly been worked over with unique trim. Though no mention has been made of any suspension upgrades, the Caddy Alltrack can be specified with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Prospective buyers (in markets where VW offers its commercial vehicles line) will also have to choose between passenger and panel van body-styles, and between four diesel and three gasoline engine options. They range in output from 74 to 123 horsepower and come mated to manual or dual-clutch transmissions with five, six, or seven gears. Look for the new Caddy Alltrack to highlight the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles display at the Frankfurt Motor Show opening later this week. Related Video: The new Caddy – now available as Alltrack version with off-road styling - World premiere of Cross Caddy successor at IAA 2015 - Fourth generation of the Volkswagen best-seller once again available in rugged off-road style - Passenger car and panel van Alltrack variants optionally available with 4MOTION Hannover/Frankfurt, 10 September 2015 – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be showcasing the latest off-road style version of its best-selling Caddy at the IAA (International Automobile Show) from 15 to 27 September, 2015. The successor to the Cross Caddy is called the Caddy Alltrack. Like its predecessor, it is available both in passenger car and panel van formats. The latest version of the urban delivery van and family MPV is clearly distinct from the other Caddy models with its exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels 'Quito', new Mojave Beige metallic paintwork and optional 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology.