VW Polo WRC - 2012

[rv65]

Some more videos of the Polo WRC. The first video has tons of anti lag . I even saw a few flames here and there .

[rv65]

Another test video from jbmarcus21 who runs PlaneteMarcus.

[rv65]

http://planetemarcus.free.fr/testdaysvwfrance1111.htm

VW is doing some more tests in France. Same test mule as the Veldenz test. Test pilots were Dieter Depping and Juho Hanninen; however, on the last day Ogier drove the Polo for the first time.

Nissen is keeping an eye on Hanninen as he would make a good driver for the Polo WRC.

Then again, Skoda does have the option to homologate Polo WRC components if they want to.

[rv65]

http://www.worldrallysport.com/node/8868

Interview with Dieter Depping, VW Motorsport's chief test driver. He talks about the car, VW, Ogier, and his career in the German championship.

[rv65]

http://www.best-of-rallylive.com/en/201 ... -the-cold/

Ogier got his first taste of the first real Polo WRC. The first Polo WRC aka chassis 0 is a WRC spec Fabia S2000 in a Polo shell. He said it is much better than chassis 0. The test was done at a top secret facility near Wolfsburg. It might not be so surprising as Ogier did the most testing mileage in the DS3 and not Loeb. There still needs to be work done, but I think the Polo WRC is on track for 2013.

[rv65]

Chassis 1 was tested in Sweden and Spain, and there were a few photos of the test in Sweden, and that car did not have a number plate at all. Chassis 0 was also used in a snow covered oval event in Germany. I know this, as I was able to spot WOB VW-351 in the video. I am sure VW has registered chassis 1, but not decided to show it.

[ChrisB]

Registration of chassis 1 is WOB-VW 355

[rv65]

Timo Jouhki said that at least one of his drivers (most likely Latvala) will join VW next year. This was before Hirvonen went to Citroen. VW's preferred number 2 is Latvala, but Sordo is a likely candidate, due to the uncertainties of Prodrive/Mini.

[rv65]

http://www.ukcarnews.com/features.php?show=558

Jost Capito to replace Kris Nissen at VW.

[ChrisB]

Thanks. Though news was here already on the 29th: http://www.rallye-info.com/article.asp?stid=10001

[rv65]

http://mag.gpweek.com/#folio=18

Interview with Jost Capito (Head of VW Motorsport). He talks about the Polo WRC and VW's future in the WRC. VW is interested in lower levels of rallying. Skoda is working on a R4T/R5 and there is the Fabia R2 (which is not an official Skoda project). It is an interesting read for sure.

[rv65]

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/ogie ... t_so_sure/

Ogier is pushing Capito to run the Polo WRC for the last few rounds of the WRC. Capito is still thinking about it, but it could happen if testing is going well. Capito did say the worst of the WRC is over and that things are going to get better.

VW is also planning a high performance version of the Polo with a Golf GTI engine and fancy body work (i.e. agressive rear spoiler).

[rv65]

I have also seen WOB VW-354 and WOB VW-352 (?) during tests in Finland and Greece.

So we have

WOB VW-351
WOB VW-352 (?)
WOB VW-355

[ChrisB]

I have also seen WOB VW-354 and WOB VW-352 (?) during tests in Finland and Greece.

So we have

WOB VW-351
WOB VW-352 (?)
WOB VW-355

Slightly strange that. WOB-VW 355 was a muletto chassis 0, WOB-VW 351 was chassis 1. I have not seen 352, but in recent gravel tests there was 353 & 354. They do quite a fuzz having 4 cars already.

[rv65]

The car was too dusty, so the camera could not pick up the number plate. I think it could have been 352, but I think I have the list below.

WOB VW-355
WOB VW-351
WOB VW-353
WOB VW-354

[rv65]

I heard that WOB VW-351 was the car they used in the Greece tests.

[rv65]

351 is actually chassis 0 as that was the car they used in the top secret test in Veldenz, or maybe you have inside information that I don't have. I have heard that 353 was used in the recent tarmac test.

What is really shocking is that VW is going to compete in Sardinia as a test, meaning they do not score points or be classified in the standings. This is something that has never been done before. At least VW can prove that their car is good and that they can win.

[rv65]

I have also seen WOB VW-354 and WOB VW-352 (?) during tests in Finland and Greece.

So we have

WOB VW-351
WOB VW-352 (?)
WOB VW-355

Slightly strange that. WOB-VW 355 was a muletto chassis 0, WOB-VW 351 was chassis 1. I have not seen 352, but in recent gravel tests there was 353 & 354. They do quite a fuzz having 4 cars already.

Do you have any proof or pics of that car.

[ChrisB]

You mean on 354?

http://www.ausmotive.com/2012/07/01/in- ... there.html

Watch the 2nd from last picture, it's a VW Touareg Raid car that only looks like a Polo!

I am quite sure 355 was the first one they had and they named it the # 0 muletto. It had a roll out, but 351 then was the first proper test car.

[rv65]

Polo WRC will compete in Rallylegends as a 0 car. VW is using the event to highlight the 50th anniversary of the original Beetle winning the 1962 East African Safari Rally, which is probably their only victory in that Rally. It is good marketing for VW. VW could have let the Polo compete in Rally Sardinia, but not be in the standings, if the other manufacturers approve of it.