All systems go for the Polo R WRC

The first test of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC which will compete in next year’s FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia were completed last week.

Volkswagen’s test driver Dieter Depping and star signing Sebastien Ogier ran the car for five days in Norway, close to the location of the Rally Sweden stages. The Polo R WRC completed the week without fault. During this exciting first test, the German manufacturer focused its efforts on suspension and transmission set-up, and achieving its goal of 1000 problem-free kilometres.

The team took its Skoda Fabia S2000 to the test to offer comparison data for the Polo against cars currently competing in the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Polo R WRC is the first complete World Rally Car Volkswagen has built. The previous Polo, labeled the ‘zero’ car included development parts. But the Polo R WRC which raced through the woods around Finnskogen last week was the real deal.

The snow testing was completed first for logistical reasons - the team was in the area for Rally Sweden and the snow won’t be around for much longer as winter draws to a close. Volkswagen will move into the next phase of its test programme, running the car in in Spain on gravel this week.