Volkswagen has been working on the third generation Polo R WRC since 2015. The company has released a teaser sketch of the 2017 Polo R WRC that will be compliant with the new FIA regulations. The vehicle is currently in the final phase of development and is believed to be wider, lighter and more aerodynamic than the current generation.
As per the new regulations in place, the World Rally Championship cars need to measure 3,900 millimeters in length and 25 kilograms lighter with a minimum weight of 1,175 kilograms. The 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC gets a tweaked 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 373bhp as against the earlier output of 314bhp. The increase in power output has been achieved owing to increase in width of air restrictors to 36 millimeters from 33 millimeters. Based on what can be seen, the 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC gets a larger rear wing and broader front spoiler.
Speaking on the new upcoming vehicle, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito said, “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.”
