Volkswagen has presented the second generation of the Polo R WRC in Autostadt, Wolfsburg. The works team from Wolfsburg has its sights set firmly on another successful defence of its titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with a new car and a new look. Volkswagen completed a clean sweep of all the World Championship titles when the Polo R WRC made its debut in 2013, before repeating this impressive feat last season. Continuity is the key to the driving line-up for 2015: double world champions Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and team- mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) will roll down the starting ramp and head onto the first special stage of the year for Volkswagen at the legendary Rally Monte Carlo on 22 January.

“The new Polo R WRC has undergone intense further development, both on the inside and the outside,” said Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Volkswagen Board Member for Technical Development. “Not only dmore dynamic and sporty than it did before, but our engineers have also been working meticulously on technical innovations under the bonnet and have improved many detailed aspects of the package that has been so successful for the past two years. The focus of this further development was on efficiency, reliability and performance. We can hardly wait to see the new Polo R WRC in Monte Carlo and at the other twelve rallies on four continents.”

Title defence in blue, blue and white: new design for the next generation of Polo R WRC

The most striking change to the Polo R WRC for the 2015 season is its exterior. The white has given way to dark-blue. White and light-blue stripes see the dark-blue front merge into the white rear, which features a towering new rear wing. Also integrated in the new design are Volkswagen’s other partners in the World Rally Championship: Red Bull, lubricant partner Castrol, Volkswagen Financial Services, tyre partner Michelin, chassis and clutch specialist ZF Sachs, and supplier OMP.

Volkswagen engineers have been hard at work implementing many new ideas under the bonnet. The hydraulically activated gearbox, which is operated via a shift paddle on the steering column, represents the biggest innovation. Furthermore, three quarters of last year’s components were checked and many of them optimised, with the aim of making everything “simpler, lighter, and stronger”.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

In the event of an accident, the driver's feet and lower legs can be at risk of injury, depending on the type and severity of the collision. In order to reduce that risk we make carefully calculated use of deformation elements for the pedals and foot rest. The deformation of the front bulkhead in the Euro NCAP offset crash test, for example, leads to deliberate free movement of the pedals above a defined force level. This disconnects the pedals from the intrusion, so they remain mobile and exercise very little force, reducing the risk of foot and lower leg injuries.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen Retailers in the UK will begin taking orders for the Street up! and Club up! today, ahead of first deliveries in March, with prices starting from £11,995 (RRP OTR).

Both models are based on the flagship High up! trim which includes front fog lights, heated front seats and a Maps & More portable infotainment device, however, the Street and Club up! are loaded with more styling features for only an extra £610.

The stylish Street up! adds 16-inch Upsilon alloy wheels, standard Pure White, Black Pearl or Reflex Silver paint, 65 per cent tinted glass from the B-pillar back, “Street” badging, decals on side, bonnet, boot and roof, wing mirrors in silver (except for the Reflex Silver models on which they are black), body coloured bumpers with chrome moulding on the front fog lights, leather steering wheel with up! logo, up! scuff plates with yellow stripe, black roof lining, carpet mats and unique “Street” cloth upholstery.

The sophisticated Club up! adds 16-inch Triangle alloy wheels, standard Blueberry metallic (unique to the Club up!) or Black Pearl paint, 65 per cent tinted glass from the B-pillar back, “Club” badging, decals on side panels in silver, wing mirrors in silver, up! scuff plates, black roof lining, carpet mats and unique “Club” Tartan Tonic cloth upholstery.

Both new cars are powered by the up!’s most powerful 1.0-litre petrol engine.  Delivering 75 PS at 6,200 rpm, the three-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.  It returns 60.1 mpg on the combined cycle and emits 108 g/km of CO2.  The up! produces a maximum torque of 95 Nm (70 lbs ft) between 3,000 and 4,300 rpm.

The Street up! and Club up! are available to order in three and five-door bodystyles.   The up! range starts at £8,765 (RRP OTR) for the entry-level 60 PS 1.0-litre Take up!.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

The convertible or cabriolet was launched in 1957. Originally only available in left-hand drive, the right-hand drive version of both models was introduced in 1959 together with a re-designed front end. New engines were introduced in 1961, 1966 and 1971 together with other styling and interior changes during its lifetime. The model ceased production on the 21st June 1974.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk