Volkswagen confirms WRC entry, Polo to race in 2013

Volkswagen confirms WRC entry, Polo to race in 2013

As speculated earlier, Volkswagen has confirmed that it will join the World Rally Championship (WRC) with an announcement on the eve of the Rally d’Italia in Sardinia. Wolfsburg’s entry won’t be for this year, or the next, but in 2013, when they will race the Polo R WRC previewed here.

The Rally Polo will have “near 300 hp” from a 1.6-litre TSI engine and four-wheel drive. As with the TSI motor in the road going Polo, the rally car’s four-cylinder unit will be direct injected and turbocharged.

“The new Technical Regulations of the WRC are an ideal fit for Volkswagen’s philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board, Development Division. “The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for VW. 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,” he added.

After winning three consecutive Dakar titles, VW will be hoping to put up a strong challenge in WRC, which has been dominated lately by mass market rivals Citroen and Ford.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • nebula87 on May 06, 2011 at 4:02 am

    nice~~!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Awesome more competitor.

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  • 1.6 with 300hp, who needs a 3.0 nowadays ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • 1.6 plus supercharger, turbo and intercooler to put 200hp, then full engine upgrade to get over 300hp.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jerry on May 06, 2011 at 7:10 am

    After the EVO-WRX era, smaller lightweight cars in the veins of the Peugeot 205 are returning to the fore. All’s good then.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • 2011 WRC cars are modified from B-segment hatchbacks with fully tuned 1.6 litre engine.
      FWD or RWD is banned in WRC, so they must use 4WD.

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  • awsome!!

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  • trav_da_man on May 06, 2011 at 8:50 am

    First Citroen D3S, then Ford Fiesta and as expected, Volks Polo. It is the battle of superminis in rallies? Cars that people drove to work daily or to go to the shops or fetch their children is used for attacking mountain passes, rural tarmacs and deserts.

    Sigh, missed the days of lancia stratos or toyota celica and even supersaloons like Evo/Impreza back then.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • squawk on May 06, 2011 at 9:59 am

      No chance of supersaloon comeback. Everything’s getting smaller. Rumor has it Hot Wheels may form a WRC team too. :P

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mr Wancer on May 07, 2011 at 1:50 pm

      When la our own Satria Neo going to join WRC…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • confused on May 06, 2011 at 8:53 am

    wow.. that pic.. a good design base for me to pimp polo :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • The rear wheel arch looks very familiar la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • wagenise on May 06, 2011 at 10:43 am

    Wah… Looks like my car wor. :p

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rosdi on May 06, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Polo TSI 1.6 near 300hp!.. woohoo…!!.. it is all music to my ears!.. make this a production car and sell it here please!!..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Norman on May 06, 2011 at 11:04 am

    Production cars got their guideline and limitation.Any 1.6 engine can churns out somewhere between 200-250hp with turbocharger not to mention twin ones.But again its too costly to maintain in the long run.Ever witness a friend souped up his Campro CPS engine with turbocharger and all the stuff easily gets 215hp on dyno but again its not economical and practical for road use..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • jalan54 on May 06, 2011 at 11:17 am

      satria neo cps maybe not practical, but polo R, I think it’ll be practical.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fatcat on May 06, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    Big four of WRC : Citroen, ford, mini and VW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • donno on May 06, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    The Satria Neo S2000 can easily be converted into a WRC machine as the New WRC regulation is as similar as possible to the S2000 Regulations.

    Proton, are you up for it?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Unforgiven on May 06, 2011 at 4:36 pm

      Yes, Proton is ready.
      Proton is ready to have Neo WRC.
      Proton Neo is ready to have the same price segment as VW Polo.
      Proton is ready to have a fair fight now, he’s big mama’s boy now.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • There’s a reason why most forumers click this particular thread. Obviously they’re attracted to the picture of that particular Polo pimp up to 300hp using VW’s very own TSI engine.

      While I was ‘munching’ the good news on VW suddenly a guy came into the thread and reminded me of our lousy local automotive industry. Somebody reminded me of that particular Tin Milo made from Tanjung Malim. Thank you for disturbing the peaceful serenity of this thread!

      Now please excuse me, let’s talk something else (other than) that particular Tin Milo.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Same price as the VW Polo?who want to buy Proton???even Neo R3 is cheaper and faster than Polo but i still prefer Polo over Protong Neo hero…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mr Wancer on May 07, 2011 at 1:53 pm

      Im a VW fan but the cost to maintain is not cheap for most of us car enthusiasts. Let’s no go to modding yet, coz only rich people like Sy0h can afford it. But is he really that rich?? or just any other typical keyboard warrior :)

      So i rather go for the tin milo called Neo which can go faster but in the same time cheaper to maintain + mod in Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hanep on May 07, 2011 at 1:33 am

    why it is not golf?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mat koboi on May 10, 2011 at 10:32 am

    nicee…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • polo might be practical for some of you…but neo R3 supercharged would be better option for malaysian like me…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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