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Tanner Foust Explains Why GRC Beetle is "Bitchin"

There are a number of reasons why we love the Red Bull Global Rallycross. For example, the drivers can say pretty much whatever they want, unlike in F1. The races are more fun, the crashes more spectacular and the cars more diverse. I mean where else would you see a Ford Fiesta race a Formula 1 car?
Tanner foust talks about Bugs 4 photos
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
GRC BeetleGRC BeetleGRC Beetle
Speaking of diverse, a Beetle race car is not something we've seen in a long time, not to mention it's being driven in the 2014 GRC by a star of the track, Tanner Foust. In this next video, the ex Top Gear US host talks about his new ride. Powered by a 1.6-liter "TSI direct injected" turbocharged engine producing 560 hp, this all-wheel drive Beetle is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in only 1.9 seconds.

That's not the only thing making the Bug a fearsome track tool. To make 70-foot jumps possible, custom strut-type suspension with ZF dampers and about 9.1 inches of travel has been installed on all four corners. Mods also include a full roll cage, 17-inch rallycross wheels with Yokohama tires, a massive rear wing and widebody fenders. This is the sort of equipment that will make fans scream "build it with AWD and sell it to me!"

Andretti Motorsport has actually built two of these monsters, one for Foust and another for ex-Formula One and NASCAR driver Scott Speed.

"So why are they showing videos of a VW Polo?", you may ask. Well, Volkswagen says they'll be starting the season in a coupe of Polos that look very similar to the ones in the WRC. Mid-season, they will switch to the newer, more "bitchin".

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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