Volkswagen crowned world rally champions* for third time & some stuff about the Volkswagen Polo R WRC

I was a little bit busy travelling around Malaysia and Thailand to write over the past couple of weeks. Last week, Volkswagen made a successful title defence by wining the Manufacturers, Drivers and Co-drivers competitions in the FIA World Rally Championships with a one-two over at the Rally Australia.

The winner was Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and the Volkswagen Polo R WRC were crowned world champions. This marks he third time in a row that Volkswagen have won all titles for the FIA WRC. The Drivers', Co-Drivers' and Manufacturers' competitions were settled in just three quarters of the way into the season – earlier than any manufacturer before them in the history of the World Rally Championship. Jari-Matti Latvala (the chap that drove me round a circuit in Setia Alam just a few weeks ago) /Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished runner-up and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene fourth to complete a fantastic result for Volkswagen Down Under. They currently lie second and third overall with three rallies remaining.

I must say that whilst the WRC does not feature much on my scope these days but lets take a note at the Volkswagen Polo R WRC. 1.6liters 318bhp and a massive 430Nm (from a 1.6liter) makes it do 0-100kmh in 3.9seconds and a gearing limited 200kmh. Note the engine bay pic below, it shows you that the car still uses a production bodyshell and something that most of us can relate to. This is unlike LeMans, DTM, JTCC (or whatever its called today) and Formula 1. If you had a Polo GTI, you may aspire to put a WRC replica 

The only thing that would be hard to replicate is the wheel arches and doing that jump below with the stock suspension. Full Specs of the Polo R WRC are included below 

PRESS RELEASE

Volkswagen crowned world rally champions* for third time

Volkswagen wins Manufacturers', Drivers' and Co-Drivers' competitions in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

One-two for the Polo R WRC at the Rally Australia secures titles with three races remaining.

15 September 2015 - Successful title defence: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and the Volkswagen Polo R WRC were crowned world champions* on the back of an extraordinary triumph at the Rally Australia. For the third time in a row, all the titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) go to Wolfsburg. And they do so after another record-breaking performance: a one-two at the Rally Australia, the tenth of 13 WRC rounds on four continents, saw the manufacturer crowned champion in the Drivers', Co-Drivers' and Manufacturers' competitions just three quarters of the way into the season – earlier than any manufacturer before them in the history of the World Rally Championship.

Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished runner-up and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene fourth to complete a dream result for Volkswagen Down Under. They currently lie second and third overall with three rallies remaining.

Victory Down Under was the Polo R WRC's ninth win in ten rallies so far in 2015. As such, the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg remains the most successful model in WRC history: since Volkswagen returned to the pinnacle of rallying in January 2013, 31 of 36 victories have gone to the Polo R WRC, with the car claiming a total of 62 podium finishes. The 318-hp four-wheel drive powerhouse has contested 668 special stages so far, winning a remarkable 467. A win ration that is second to none.

The titles in the Drivers', Co-Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships earn Volkswagen World Championship titles number seven, eight and nine within the space of just three years. The manufacturer remains unbeaten with the Polo R WRC at the pinnacle of rallying, which is the most famous motorsport world championship outside of Formula One. The World Rally Championship is regarded as the greatest challenge in motor racing, from both a driving and technical point of view: the 13 events that make up the season are held on four continents, on gravel, asphalt, ice and snow, and in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 40 degrees Celsius.

The final quarter of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) kicks off with the Rally France (01.10.–04.10.2015), which is followed by the Rally Spain (22.10.–25.10.2015) and the Rally Great Britain (12.11.–15.11.2015).

* subject to confirmation from the FIA.

The Volkswagen Polo R WRC Specification

Engine 

TypeStraight-four engine with turbocharger and intercooling, transversally mounted in front of the front axle

Displacement1,600 cc

Power output234 kW (318 hp) at 6,250 rpm

Torque430 Nm at 5,000 rpm

Bore / stroke83,0 mm / 73,8 mm

Air restrictor33 mm (FIA regulation)

Power transmission 

GearboxSequential, six-speed racing gear box, transversally mounted, hydraulicallyactivated, paddle on the steering

Gearbox Final drivePermanent four-wheel drive with equal torque split between the front andrear axles, multi-plate limited-slip differentials, front and rear

ClutchHydraulically actuated double-disk sintered metal clutch from ZF

Chassis/suspension 

Front/rearMcPherson struts, dampers from ZF

Suspension travelapprox. 180 mm on tarmac, approx. 275 mm on gravel

SteeringServo-assisted rack and pinion steering

Braking systemVentilated disc brakes (front Ø 355 mm and rear Ø 350 mm on asphalt,front and rear Ø 300 mm on gravel),aluminium brake callipers (four callipers, front and rear)

Dimensions and weight 

Length / width / height3,998 / 1,820 / 1,356 mm

Track width1,610 mm

Wheelbase2,480 mm

Minimum weight1,200 kg

Performance 

Acceleration0–100 km/h in approx. 3.9 seconds

Top speed200kmh

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Volkswagen WRC team Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila launch limited edition Volkswagen Polo Trophy Edition

Volkswagen World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Jari-Matti Latvala together with his co-driver Miikka Anttila made a visit to Malaysia courtesy of Volkswagen Group Malaysia before heading off to compete in the Australian rally leg of the WRC. The two very sporting men were fresh from an amazing one-two-three win on Volkswagen’s home turf, the Rallye Deutschland. 

Messrs Latvala and Anttila graced the grounds of Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam to meet specially invited Volkswagen owners, fans and members of the media as well as launch the limited edition Volkswagen Polo Trophy released in conjunction with Volkswagen’s success in the World Rally Championship (WRC) arena. The event today, marked the start of the Polo Rally Weekend scheduled for the 5th and 6th of September 2015. Visitors could go for a ride with two of Malaysia’s top female drifters – Leona Chin and Azrina Jane Abdullah. They could also take a closer look at the newly launched Polo Trophy (some trim and stickers differentiate it from the normal version) where only 100 units are available. It is priced at RM89,888 while stocks last. 

Anyway, back to the day itself. Jari- Matti Latvala gave 60 lucky individuals comprising media, consumers and Volkswagen Facebook contest winners a memorable ride of their lives. So obviously Yours Truly managed to sit right beside him. A WRC driver taking you round a circuit with a jump in the middle even in a normal Polo 1.6 Hatchback is still an experience to remember. Whilst sitting shotgun in the slightly mundane Polo 1.6 Hatchback Jari-Matti demonstrated great skill. He would obviously leave most drivers for dead on a windy road even in the Polo. The best thing for me was that he had basically confirmed that even the base Volkswagen Polo is a tidy handling car that can be fun to drive (and it is one of the cars that  I would recommend if you're interested in a small car that comes in just under RM90K). But dammit, wish it was at least a Golf R he was piloting. But is was the launch of the Polo Trophy. So a Polo 1.6 it was.

And after he finished with going round and round with us lucky people, Jari-Matti had a face off with our local drift queen, Leona Chin (pictured above on the left, with Jari-Matti). Jari-Matti is currently ranked 2nd in the WRC arena – got behind the wheel as promised, to take on the challenge issued by her majesty queen Leona Chin on her Facebook page a week prior to his arrival. The time attack challenge saw them going head-to-head in a gymkhana course in the Polo.

Unsurprisingly the WRC driver was victorious (easily a good 4 seconds faster if not for a clipped cone which he gained a 3 second penalty), anyway, Leona walked away with the experience of a race of a lifetime against a 14-times rally champ who then let her ride shotgun and give her pointers. I was watching the 'race' from the comfort of the hospitality tent via the cameras. I have to say that the rally driver was super precise in cutting close to the apex of the corners. And he did so carrying a heck of a lot of speed. Even in a normal Polo. 

So anyway, do head over to Setia City in Shah Alam so that you can experience some high speed taxi rides and other stuff over the weekend.

Not a Polo, but a Beetle Rally on display...very unique with the roof scoop and all

PRESS RELEASE (and more pics below)

Volkswagen WRC team unveils Polo Trophy in KL

(4 September 2015) Before tackling the Australian rally leg, Volkswagen World Rally Championship driver Jari-Matti Latvala together with his co-driver Miikka Anttila made a swift pit stop here.

Fresh off the exhilarating one-two-three win on Volkswagen’s home turf, Latvala and Anttila graced Kuala Lumpur to meet fans and launch the limited edition Polo Trophy released in conjunction with Volkswagen’s success in the World Rally Championship (WRC) arena.   

At the circuit, the duo – who finished second after team mates Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia at the German Rally – competes in the Polo R WRC, a vehicle technically enhanced and cosmetically upgraded from the roadworthy Polo.

The duo were received by Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Mr Armin Keller, who congratulated them on their spectacular achievement before launching the new Polo enhanced with side and bonnet stickers, contrast wing mirrors and rear spoiler inspired by the sport. The Polo Trophy also comes equipped with satellite navigation and tinted windows.

“Today’s Polo Rally Weekend is an important one for the team. What a great way to be able to share with you another side of the brand. Volkswagen has had a long history of engagement in different rally platforms through the years.

“The World Rally Championship is one of them and we have consistently made podium finishes in most of the rallies in recent years. And last month was a great day for Volkswagen at the Rallye Deutschland, where all three of our WRC teams had podium finishes.

“We are proud to have with us today Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila at the launch of this limited edition Polo Trophy designed especially for Malaysian and WRC fans,” Keller said at the launch event held at Setia City Convention Centre.

Latvala and Anttila, who finished second after team mates Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia at the German Rally, unveiled the cars in nothing short of magnificent fashion via an explosive, show-stopping ramp jump; a first for a regular production Polo here.

Latvala also gave 60 lucky fans comprising media, consumers and Volkswagen Facebook contest winners a memorable ride of their lives. Sitting shotgun, the 30-year-old piloted them through a thrilling, fast lap displaying precise driving action around the course in daily drive Polos.

And before departing, Latvala – currently ranked 2nd in the WRC arena – got behind the wheel as promised, to take on the challenge issued by viral drift princess Leona Chin on her Facebook page a week prior to his arrival.

The time attack challenge saw the duo going head-to-head in a gymkhana course where both demonstrated who can outrun the other better and faster in the Polo. While the amicable challenge crowned Latvala victorious, Chin walked away feeling like a winner having had the race of a lifetime against a 14-times rally champ.

The event will continue over the weekend for consumers. Visitors could go for a ride with two of Malaysia’s top female drifters – Chin and Azrina Jane Abdullah. They could also take a closer look at the newly launched Polo Trophy where only 100 units are available. It is priced at RM89,888 while stocks last. Fans of the Volkswagen performance range could also enjoy up to RM30,000 in savings for the Golf GTI, Golf R and Scirocco R till 30 September 2015.

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