PoloDriver

Volkswagen has actively started to look for drivers for its 2013 Polo R WRC rally car, by launching a testing programme using Škoda Fabia SWRC works rally cars. The new talent assessment tests will be run throughout 2011 at selected rallies, in the hope that Volkswagen Motorsport can find new star rally drivers who have the potential to go on to be world champions. Two Scandinavian teams (one Norwegian, one Finnish) will contest the Finland Rally from 28-31 July. Established WRC drivers are also not being rules out. The Polo R WRC is expected to make its competitive debut on the 2013 Monte Carlo Rally. The full Volkswagen Motorsport press release follows.

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Following Volkswagen’s sensational announcement of the Polo R WRC on 5 May 2011, we’ve recently created a new section on PoloDriver.com all about the car with which VW will contest the World Rally Championship from 2013. With image galleries of both the Sardinia presentation on the eve of the Rally d’Italia Sardegna, as well as the set of official publicity shots, our dedicated Polo R WRC section on PoloDriver.com also includes the numerous approved press releases that Volkswagen Motorsport has released.

Since that first set of press releases, we’ve since learned that the 1.6T 300bhp Polo R WRC will begin testing at the end of 2011 – even if as reported, it initially appears as a pair of Škoda Fabia S2000 mules – and continue in 2012. A fully-fledged multi-car campaign will then start in 2013, with Volkswagen offically committing to 2015. Head over to our special Polo R WRC pages (navigation can also be found at the top of the page) to find out all about this latest exciting chapter in the Polo’s motorport career. We’ll be updating the section as more details are released before and after the car’s competitive debut.

Here it is then. After months of speculation, Volkswagen has finally announced that it is to mount a full World Rally Championship (WRC) assault in 2013 with the wide-arched and aggressive-looking Polo R WRC. Pulling the covers off the Polo R WRC in Sardinia barely an hour ago, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen said, ‘We look forward to this new challenge and are working on this project with the same passion with which we won the Dakar Rally in the past three years.’ Final specifications are yet to be finalised, but expect 300bhp from a 1.6-litre TSI engine and four-wheel-drive. The timing of the unveil is significant: today is the eve of the Rally d’Italia Sardegna, and both Series 2 and Series 5 Polos were unveiled in Sardinia.

New technical rules have come into effect in the WRC this year. For the first time, engines with a maximum displacement of 1600cc, direct-injection and turbochargers are permitted. Citroën, Ford and Mini currently field cars in the championship – DS3, Fiesta, and Mini Countryman respectively – and Volkswagen sees the WRC as a perfect fit. ‘Downsizing, high efficiency and reliability are top priorities for our customers. The timing of the Wold Rally Championship 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,’ said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Development Division.

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