2018 Polo GTI R5 rally car revealed

Provided that the homologation process goes to plan, customer rally teams should be able to take delivery of the new Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 from next summer.

Development work started at the beginning of this year. According to Volkswagen Motorsport’s Technical Director, François-Xavier Demaison, “The Polo GTI R5 came through the initial tests without any problems. The feedback from the test drivers was very positive.

“It is obviously beneficial to be able to call upon an experienced team of engineers and mechanics, who helped to develop the Polo that won the world championship. And it goes without saying that, as we have in the past, we are also taking advantage of the close and excellent cooperation with the colleagues in the technical development department in Wolfsburg, as well as our Škoda colleagues, who have been offering their customers an R5 car since 2015.”

Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 2018 Front Side

As per the FIA’s R5 regulations, power comes from a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine that’s mated to a five-speed sequential transmission and a permanent four-wheel drive system. Maximum output and torque figures are 268 bhp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) respectively.

They’re combined with a weight of only 1,230 kilograms. Consequently, impressive performance is promised – the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes just 4.1 seconds, for example.

Related post:
The Golf GTI TCR is getting a facelift for 2018

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