VW reveals 2017 World Rally Car 12 | 04 | 2016
VOLKSWAGEN HAS RELEASED the first official image of its new 2017 Polo R World Rally Car. Sitting 50 millimetres wider than the current car, the new Polo R will also boast improved performance thanks to a 3mm increase in the width to its restrictor — up from 33mm to 36mm — allied to the fact the car is 25kg lighter than its predecessor.
VW predicts it will produce 380hp, around 60 more than its current model, and the German manufacturer also says it has been working on the concept since the summer of 2015 when the FIA announced the regulation redrafts.
The car will carry a larger rear wing and front spoiler to meet the demand for a more outstanding appearance.
"The 2017 WRC regulations include many spectacular technical innovations for the World Rally Championship," Jost Capito, Volkswagen motorsport director, said.
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"The WRC of the future will incorporate all the experience teams have gained in recent years. They will be considerably more dynamic, while 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."
And while VW has been testing a modified current specification Polo since last August, running 2017 development parts on all surfaces, the new Polo R WRC will now undergo lengthy and extensive testing ahead of his debut in WRC at next year's Rally Monte Carlo in January 2017.
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Jim McGill