Rally Polo Completes first Tests

The result of VW’s latterly abandoned WRC racer, the Polo GTI R5 customer race car has successfully completed its first tests in Fortjohn… Fontjonk… Fontjoncouse, France.

“A successful first test is a good sign and great motivation,” said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. “After the many hours and weeks spent working on our latest customer racing project on the computer, in the design process and in the workshop, the Polo GTI R5 can now finally show what it is capable of out on the road, and we can gain valuable data for the further development of the car.”

The test lasted three days, with test driver Dieter Depping and Swedish WRC2 champ Pontus Tidemand behind the wheel of the 270 hp Polo. The test days took place over tarmac, then on gravel.

The first day was a test of tire durability, brakes, and the cooling system, as the car was run ragged over the high-speed section.

The gravel tests, meanwhile, were a test of the chassis, testing the suspension and damping.

“It is a special feeling to be back here, where the Polo embarked on its first rally adventure roughly six years ago,” said Volkswagen test driver Depping. “It is now about achieving the best possible set-up for the new Polo GTI R5. This first test was primarily about getting a lot of kilometers under our belt, in order to give the engineers as much data as possible. I can tell you one thing now: The R5 Polo is also very good, very quick and precise. I immediately felt right at home!”

Volkswagen is offering the Polo GTI R5 to professional and amateur racing teams for the WRC2 category of the world rally championship as of the second half of 2018.

The post Rally Polo Completes first Tests appeared first on VWVortex.

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