Volkswagen’s new Golf R looks set to receive a little brother based on the Polo subcompact sold overseas. Likely to be called the Polo R, the latest VW hot hatch is said to be adopting an all-wheel-drive system and a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The information was first reported by Autocar, which claims the Polo R’s drivetrain will essentially be the one being developed for the upcoming Audi S1 based on the A1 subcompact. Audi’s A1 and the VW Polo are platform mates.

VW already has a hotted-up R version of its Polo in the form of last year’s Polo R WRC special edition. However, that car only came with 220 horsepower and front-wheel drive, and its production was limited to just 2,500 units. VW is said to be keen to build a more hardcore version to better promote its title win in WRC last year.

A 0-60mph time of less than 6.0 seconds is being talked up by insiders alongside a top speed limited to 155 mph. By comparison, the current Polo R WRC accelerates to 60 mph in about 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 151 mph.

Sadly, with regular Polo variants off limits for the U.S. market, it’s a near certainty the Polo R won’t be coming either.

_______________________________________

Follow Motor Authority on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.