Volkswagen wants to enter the big league, the WRC, with the Polo R soon, but before they can do that, a maiden tour has to take place with the 300 horsepower rally rocket. Only recently, two time world champion of the WRC, Carlos Sainz, came to see if the car has the performance and reliability it needed.
“The first test with the new Polo R WRC is a special moment and marks an important milestone in the preparations for our entry in the WRC," comments Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for the Development Division. ‘We’re well on schedule and are now able to start testing our concepts and developments in reality. The WRC is the top category in rally sport and a great challenge for the team, the drivers and the technology. We’re taking on this challenge and will be making efficient use of the time before we start into our first competition.”
“I immensely enjoy being involved in the development and testing of the new Polo R WRC – and having the privilege of driving the first kilometres is naturally a great honour," says Carlos Sainz. "The car is still in an early stage but already feels very good. For the whole team, whether engineers, mechanics or drivers, it’s very important to get to know the first real car as early as possible and to test and continue to develop it.”
“The first Polo represents a preliminary stage of the subsequent rally car and during the upcoming months will serve as a test vehicle for various components such as engines, gearboxes or suspension parts. The findings obtained in these tests will be directly fed into the first thorough-bred Polo R WRC," explains Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "Next year we’ll be running an extensive testing programme on tarmac, gravel, mud and snow in order to prepare ourselves for the 2013 season as best we can.”
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