All first drives of motorsport homologation models should be like this. I’ve just spent the day watching WRC championship leader Sebastian Ogier flying (literally) through two stages of Neste Rally Finland 2013 in his Polo WRC car and now I’m standing in front of three examples of the production car Volkswagen built in order to qualify its WRC participation.
With the sights and sounds of Ogier’s WRC car passing at full tilt still fresh in my mind (and likely to remain there for a long time to come) it’s difficult not to feel excited about the prospect of driving a car with a similar paint scheme and, albeit somewhat toned down, matching body work as the WRC champion-elect’s mode of transport.
As per FIA regulations, 2 500 left-hand-drive examples of the Polo R WRC have been produced at Volkswagen’s Navarra plant in Spain. The limited edition three-door Polo’s wheelarches are filled with fantastic looking 18-inch Cagliari alloy wheels shod with 215/35 R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres. A revised front bumper includes larger air intakes while the rear three-quarter stance is beefed-up by the fitment of a purposeful-looking boot spoiler and the sight of twin chrome tailpipes. All Polo R WRC models are finished in white with rally-inspired blue and grey stripes on the bonnet and doors. More exclusive touches include official WRC logos on the flanks and rump, as well as each cars model number discreetly displayed on the wing.
Two more WRC logos appear on each of my favourite features in the Polo R WRCs cabin. One on the standard flat-bottomed, Alcantara-clad steering wheel and another on the six-speed manual transmission lever. More Alcantara has been used to cover the comfortable, yet slightly conservatively bolstered – considering the items fitted to actual WRC cars – front seats.
Turn the ignition key (no starter button, VW?) and the Volkswagen Group’s EA113 direct-injection 2,0-litre engine from the previous-generation Golf GTI fires to life. Tuned to 162 kW and 350 N.m the Polo R WRC produces 30 kW more power and 100 N.m more torque than the current 1,4 TSI Polo GTI.
Not keen on the weight (nor cost) penalty associated with both a DSG transmission and the Quattro all-wheel drive system developed for the platform-sharing Audi S1, the Polo channels its power, via its manual ‘box, to the front wheels only.
Mash the throttle to the floor in either of the first two gears and the front tyres not only struggle for grip but the straight ahead marker on the steering wheel is tugged off centre by the torque rushing through the differential. Show some restraint on loud pedal, however, and there’s enough torque (available from 2 500 r/min) to push the small of your back deep into the drivers seat all the way up to a 7 000 r/min redline. The slick-shifting transmission makes for fast, positive gear changes allowing to you to keeping the R WRC on the boil. Volkswagen claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6,4 seconds for the Polo R WRC (more than a second quicker than the current Polo GTI DSG).
Only minor modifications to the Polo GTI’s suspension setup mean that the R WRC rides remarkably well considering the performance slant hinted at by its livery. And, while I had little opportunity to attack any serious corners during my short test drive, the combination of fairly substantial rubber, an electronic differential lock, and the well-documented handling prowess of the Polo GTI, what little chance I had to change directions in a hurry proved satisfyingly positive.
It’s an interesting project, the Polo R WRC. There’s certainly plenty to like, especially the neat styling, impressive performance and comprehensive standard equipment list, yet you get the feeling Volkswagen stopped just short of making it all-conquering. Perhaps an all-wheel drive system would ultimately prove detrimental to performance (the WRC already weighs 129 kilograms more than the GTI) but with the Golf 7 GTI Performance Pack, Volkswagen has certainly proved that it knows – via a mechanical differential lock – how to transfer this kind of power to the road through a front-wheel drive layout.
While there’s no chance of the Polo R WRC itself making it to the South African market, my brief encounter with the car has definitely got me considering a petition to Volkswagen South Africa (who, after all, build right-hand-drive Polo models for the world) to look into something similar for our market.
And, while we’re making demands I would like a more distinct exhaust note to match the performance figures, a mechanical differential and full Recaro bucket seats.
Specifications*
Model: Volkswagen Polo R WRC
Engine: inline, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Capacity: 1 984
Power: 162 kW @ 4 500 – 6 300 r/min
Torque: 350 N.m @ 2 500 – 4 400 r.min
0-100 km/h: 6,4 secs
Fuel consumption: 7,5 L/100 km
Top speed: 243 km/h
CO2 emissions: 174 g/km
Price: €33 900 (± R447 480)
*According to the manufacturer.
