Volkswagen have announced details of a new customer racing programme for 2017, developing an R5 Polo.  

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets. (Photo: Holmes)In addition to circuit racing, Formula 3 and rallycross programmes, work on a customer rally car based on the next generation of the Polo has been announced, work on which is due to start in September 2017.  

“I can sense that the employees are extremely committed and motivated as they tackle the new challenges,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets.

“We are concentrating on new projects, such as the development of the Polo R5.  Our to-do list is very full.”  

Development work is underway on a new rally car in the R5 category for customer racing teams.  The car, which is based on the next generation of the Polo, will undergo its first tests over the course of the year.

The development sees Volkswagen Motorsport continue its cooperation with group brand Škoda.  The compact 1.6-litre turbo engine, which generates about 280 bhp and is already used in the Škoda Fabia R5, was developed together and is now being optimised.  

There are continuing plans for the 2016 Polo R WRC to be run by customer teams.
 
- Martin Holmes

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