VW to supply Polo GTI R5 to WRC and other rally teams

Volkswagen has released a sketch of the Polo GTI R5 - a rally version of the regular Polo. The company has also announced that it will supply the car to professional teams and individuals for racing, including those taking part in the World Rally Championship (WRC) from the second half of 2018.

The GTI R5 is based on the sixth-generation Polo. It will be powered by a four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine with direct fuel injection that develops 266 BHP. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a sequential five-speed racing transmission. Volkswagen has revealeded that the production model of the car will be powered by a four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine as well and is scheduled to be launched by the end of this year.

Volkswagen Motorsport Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison, under whose leadership VW won numerous WRC titles in the Polo R WRC car, is the leader for the development of the GTI R5. Senior project manager Gerard-Jan de Jongh is also part of the team. He was the race engineer for four-time driver's title winner Sébastien Ogier during the company's last WRC run. The company pulled out of the sport after the dieselgate scandal.