The 2016 season of the WRC has yet to conclude but Volkswagen is already spicing things up by releasing a teaser of future spearhead. Previewing their contender for the 2017 World Rally Championship, Volkswagen now has a lot at stake as Toyota will also be making an appearance next season and they might possibly be a major threat.
Ever since VW returned to the sport in 2013, they have been one of the dominant force to be reckoned with. The brand might have won the title every year since, but that is no excuse for them to take it easy as they reveal the specs of the 2017 Polo R WRC.
VW has been working on the new Polo R WRC since 2015 and the new FIA regulations allowed them to increase the output of the turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine to 380-horsepower, an increase of 60 horses. And in line with the latest regulations, the 2017 machine will also be 50mm wider and 25kg lighter, bringing the weight down from 1,200kg to 1,175kg.
Other modifications done to the Polo R WRC include the addition of an electronic center differential, a broader front spoiler and a larger rear wing. The design of the car is still being tweaked, so the car on the start lines of the 2017 season might be different from what you will see over here. The first race of the 2017 season will be the Rally Monte Carlo in January.
“The 2017 WRC regulations include many spectacular technical innovations for the World Rally Championship,” said the Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito. “The cars will be considerably more dynamic, whilst at the same time being safer,” he added.
