2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC teased

The new rally weapon has been in development since 2015 and will be more powerful than the current Polo WRC, which debuted in 2013, after new FIA regulations allowed manufacturers to increase the car’s turbocharged engine by around 44kW to a thumping 279kW.

In addition to the power upgrades, the Polo R WRC will be 50mm wider and 25 kilograms lighter than the current car, after the FIA loosened restrictions in an effort to reignite global interest in rally’s premier league.

Visual changes include a larger rear wing and broader front splitter, another change courtesy of the greater freedom granted by the revised FIA regulations.

Above: the current Polo WRC car.

Under the revised rules, teams are also allowed to use an electronic centre differential for the power transmission of their rally car.

Volkswagen motorsport director, Jost Capito, said that the car will be “considerably more dynamic, whilst at the same time being safer”.

“The 2017 regulations include many spectacular technical innovations for the World Rally Championship,” he said.

“The key between now and the start of the next season is to achieve the best possible prerequisites to allow the 2017 Polo R WRC to be as successful as its two predecessors.”

From the sketch the Polo R WRC definitely looks the business, but we’ll have to wait until next year to see if the changes are enough to snag Volkswagen the WRC title.

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