Volkswagen had a double unveiling this week, of both its new World Rally Team and the 217bhp Polo R WRC model that will hit the streets next year, just as the rally car hits the gravel, snow and tarmac.
VW is claiming that this is not just a stickers-and-badge special either, but that it follows the hardcore Polo rally car in several areas. Power comes from the same 2.0-litre turbocharged
engine as found in the Golf GTI, and the Polo R is said to make use of lightweight panels and chassis parts to maximise its performance, a move that has allowed VW to use similar parts on the rally car.
Sadly for us, the Polo R WRC will only be made in left-hand drive, and no official imports are planned.