2017 VW Polo R WRC Features and Racing Debut Date

Based on the Volkswagen Polo for use in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Volkswagen Polo R WRC is a World Rally Car built and operated by Volkswagen Motorsport. Volkswagen has been developing the third generation of the Polo R WRC since summer 2015, and the rally car is more powerful, lighter, wider and possesses more aerodynamic freedom. Continue reading to find out about the features and racing debut date of the 2017 VW Polo R WRC. 

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380 Horsepower Engine in Polo R WRC

The 2017 Polo R WRC comes with a 380 horsepower engine, which is roughly 60 hp more than the current car. The increase in performance is achieved by widening the air restrictor from 33 millimeters, as it is at present, to 36 millimeters. Furthermore, electronic center differential can now be used for the power transmission. The most visually striking changes are the larger rear wing and broader front spoiler. The minimum length of the car is now 3,900 millimeters and the minimum weight was reduced from 1,200 to 1,175 kilograms.

 “The 2017 WRC regulations include many spectacular technical innovations for the World Rally Championship. The World Rally Cars of the future will incorporate all the experience that teams have gained in recent years. They will be considerably more dynamic, whilst at the same time being safer. As usual, we are working painstakingly on the development of the next generation of the Polo R WRC. The key between now and the start of next season is to achieve the best possible prerequisites to allow the 2017 Polo R WRC to be as successful as its two predecessors.” – Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director

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What is the racing debut date of the 2017 Polo R WRC?

The 2017 Polo R WRC is slated to make its racing debut at the start of next season at the Rally Monte Carlo in January 2017. While the final phase of development of the Polo R WRC is already underway, Volkswagen currently tops the standings in all of the classifications in this year’s world championship, having won the first three rallies of the season. The team from Wolfsburg’s next outing is the fourth WRC round of the year — the Rally Argentina (April 21 – 24, 2016).

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