Volkswagen has unveiled the latest rally car variant of its Polo – the new Polo R5.
The new model was unveiled in Mallorca yesterday evening and is set to help the German manufacturer conquer the rally stages yet again.
The development of the new Polo GTI R5 has incorporated the experience and expertise that went into the development of the old Polo WRC car, which won four consecutive world titles between 2013 and 2016.
The development of the new model started very early on in the year, with final testing being carried out this month in the UK.
The Polo GTI R5 is fitted with a four-cylinder turbo engine. Due to regulations it is limited to 1.6-litres, but is tuned to produce 268bhp, and thanks to its light kerbweight of just 1,320kg, it is able to sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds.
It is also fitted with a lightweight sequential five-speed racing gearbox and permanent all-wheel-drive that allows for maximum grip on all surfaces – handy considering some of the terrain the R5 will be rallying on.
Volkswagen Motorsport director Sven Smeets said: “Presenting the new Polo GTI R5 to the public was a magnificent moment.
“The close relationship to the road-going Polo GTI is unmistakable. Our team and the colleagues at Volkswagen Deisgn in Wolfsburg, Germany, deserve great credit for this. Over the coming months, the Polo GTI R5 must prove itself in a series of tough scenarios, in order to ensure that it can build on the success of its predecessor in the customer’s hands.”
The Polo GTI R5 is set for FIA homologation in summer next year, and is expected to take to the dirt in autumn 2018 when customer sports teams will start receiving the cars.
