Motorsport: 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC drawing shown

Some juicy WRC bits here. The upcoming 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC will generate about 380 hp or 60 hp more than the current car (318 hp). It will be lighter by about 25kg, wider by 50mm, and with more aerodynamic. New regulations allow such additions to the current, 2016 car seen pictured below. Well, technically it should look like the car below, but slightly wider.

Volkswagen crowned world rally champions* for third time & some stuff about the Volkswagen Polo R WRC

I was a little bit busy travelling around Malaysia and Thailand to write over the past couple of weeks. Last week, Volkswagen made a successful title defence by wining the Manufacturers, Drivers and Co-drivers competitions in the FIA World Rally Championships with a one-two over at the Rally Australia.

The winner was Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and the Volkswagen Polo R WRC were crowned world champions. This marks he third time in a row that Volkswagen have won all titles for the FIA WRC. The Drivers', Co-Drivers' and Manufacturers' competitions were settled in just three quarters of the way into the season – earlier than any manufacturer before them in the history of the World Rally Championship. Jari-Matti Latvala (the chap that drove me round a circuit in Setia Alam just a few weeks ago) /Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished runner-up and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene fourth to complete a fantastic result for Volkswagen Down Under. They currently lie second and third overall with three rallies remaining.

Volkswagen WRC team Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila launch limited edition Volkswagen Polo Trophy Edition

Volkswagen World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Jari-Matti Latvala together with his co-driver Miikka Anttila made a visit to Malaysia courtesy of Volkswagen Group Malaysia before heading off to compete in the Australian rally leg of the WRC. The two very sporting men were fresh from an amazing one-two-three win on Volkswagen’s home turf, the Rallye Deutschland. 

Messrs Latvala and Anttila graced the grounds of Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam to meet specially invited Volkswagen owners, fans and members of the media as well as launch the limited edition Volkswagen Polo Trophy released in conjunction with Volkswagen’s success in the World Rally Championship (WRC) arena. The event today, marked the start of the Polo Rally Weekend scheduled for the 5th and 6th of September 2015. Visitors could go for a ride with two of Malaysia’s top female drifters – Leona Chin and Azrina Jane Abdullah. They could also take a closer look at the newly launched Polo Trophy (some trim and stickers differentiate it from the normal version) where only 100 units are available. It is priced at RM89,888 while stocks last.