VW reveals WRC contender

By Jack Rix

05th May 2011

Volkswagen is ready to go rallying! It's official, VW will enter the 2013 World Rally Championship with this, the Polo R WRC - a 300bhp, four-wheel drive interpretation of the road car. And it previews a forthcoming hot Polo R, currently in development.

Unveiled today in Sardinia, ahead of the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, it features a full aerodynamic bodykit and mammoth rear wing, plus the race-spec hatch will use a turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engine according to new regulations introduced this year.

“The new Technical Regulations of the World Rally Championship are an ideal fit for Volkswagen’s philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles,” says Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Development Division. “Downsizing, high efficiency and reliability are top priorities for our customers. The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for Volkswagen.”

The 2013 season will see newcomers like MINI and VW battling it out with established contenders like Citroen and Ford - and it's all down to the new regulations that promote a low-cost approach. And don't write VW off too early - it's won the last three stagings of the Dakar Rally, and after an intensive season of testing for the Polo R WRC in 2012, it should be up to speed.