Volkswagen showcased the Polo R WRC (World Rally Championship) car built by Volkswagen Motorsport at the 2014 Auto Expo. The car is based on the international version of Polo and made its rally debut at the start of the 2013 season. The Polo R WRC marks Volkswagen’s second entry into the world rally championship, while the first time was from 1983 to 1988 with a Golf GTi.
The car features a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine custom-built complying with the new WRC rules and is mated to a 6-speed sequential manual transmission and gets a multi-plate limited-slip differential.
Coming to the credentials of the 2013 Polo R WRC, the car managed to secure winning position in 10 out of 13 races in its debut season catapulting it to the status of a legend to go down in history with winning the World Rally Championship in 2013. Driving the Polo R, Sebastian Ogier won the FIA World Rally Championship for drivers, while Volkswagen Motorsport won the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers. The car managed to break Citroen C3’s record and put the capable Ford Fiesta RS WRC way back in the rear view mirror.
Volkswagen also showcased the Polo R Cup which is Volkswagen’s very own Touring Car Series championship. The Volkswagen Polo Cup was brought to India on the format of the German series to encourage novice racers to come forward and participate on track. The car on display is based on the Indian spec Polo powered by a TSI mill under the hood.
The Polo R WRC on the other hand will be competing this year to defend its title and will see the addition of a new competitor from the east as Hyundai will debut this rally season with the i20 WRC, which is also on display at Hyundai’s pavilion at the Auto Expo.
