A visual highlight, and much more beyond: the Polo R WRC for 2017 was successfully put through its paces in a spectacular black and white “zebra” design. Dieter Depping (D), test and development driver for Volkswagen Motorsport, completed about 150 kilometres of tests with the car for next season’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) on the military training ground in Baumholder (D).
The two-time German rally champion, who was involved in the development of the first generation of Polo R WRC, worked through the test programme without any problems. Depping – like test driver Marcus Grönholm (FIN) and regular drivers Sébastien Ogier (F), Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen (N) – is full of praise for the safe way that the 2017 rally Polo handles.
The World Rally Cars for the new era will not only be 55 millimetres wider and 25 kilograms lighter than their predecessors, but will also feature larger diffusors, front splitters and rear wings thanks to the greater freedom afforded in the aerodynamic design of the car. In accordance with regulations, the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the Polo R WRC will still have an air restrictor, but the performance will increase from 318 to 380 hp. An electronic, centre differential improves traction.