VW Polo R set for WRC in 2013

After three consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has set itself a new aim – victories in the WRC, with the Polo R WRC set to storm the special stages in 2013. The Wolfsburg-based brand will develop a near-300-bhp rally vehicle with a 1.6-litre TSI engine and four-wheel drive, based on the Polo, to compete as a factory team in the gruelling WRC, from the blazing heat of South America to the ice of Scandinavia. “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 big task of engineering a vehicle that is competitive and capable of winning at a large number of challenges holds great appeal for us.” VW's last big success in global rallying came in 1986, when the Swede Kenneth Eriksson and his German co-driver Peter Diekmann in the Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V claimed the world champion’s title in the newly incepted Group A. They have a lot of gravely ground to make up... but we at Road HQ are glad to see another manufacturer getting behind the new-regulations WRC. Good luck VW!