Fourth rally, fourth first: Volkswagen will line up with three Polo R WRCs for the first time at the Rally Portugal. After a strong debut in the FIA World Rally Championship at January’s Rally Monte Carlo, the Polo R WRC then started its first eventon ice and snow at the Rally Sweden in February, before making its first outing on gravel at high altitude at the Rally Mexico. From 11 to 14 April, the Rally Portugal will provide the stage for another first: Andreas Mikkelsen and Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) will make their debut in the third Polo R WRC – the number 9 car. They will be joined at the rally on the Algarve coast in southern Portugal by their Volkswagen team-mates: Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and the winners of the rallies in Sweden and Mexico, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (F/F).

“After three completely different rallies at the start of the season, the first ‘typical’ WRC rallyawaits us in Portugal,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “Tough gravel routes, spring temperatures and – unlike at the Rally Mexico – stages at just above sea level: we will probably come across the same kind of conditions at the coming rallies in Argentina, Greece and Italy. As such, the Rally Portugal provides us with another important indicator of what the Polo R WRC is capable of. Furthermore, we will also send a third driving pair into action at every rally from now on, in the form of Andreas Mikkelsen and Mikko Markkula. Andreas and Mikko have already been very successful in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and are now deservedly taking the next step into the pinnacle of rallying.”

Volkswagen Motorsport II: new team for Mikkelsen/Markkula

In order to offer Mikkelsen and Markkula the best possible conditions for a successfuldebut season in the Polo R WRC in the FIA World Rally Championship, Volkswagen will operate a second team from the Rally Portugal onward: Volkswagen Motorsport II. This will, for example, allow the Norwegian-Finnish duo to have access to ten test days this year, rather than having to share this contingent with their team-mates.

All three pairs of drivers arrive at the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship season as well prepared as possible. Each crew spent two days in Portugal at the end of March, adapting to the specific demands of the second gravel rally of the year, which will see the drivers complete 386.73 kilometres against the clock over the course of 15 special stages.

Spectator stage in Lisbon provides spectacular highlight

An exciting rally weekend gets underway with qualifying on Tuesday morning, when the WRC drivers will battle it out for the right to choose their start position on day one. The first four special stages consist of two runs of both the “Mú” and “Ourique” stages on Friday morning, before a 200-kilometre liaison stage takes the competitors to Lisbon. Once in the Portuguese capital, the drivers will take on a spectacular spectator stage against the imposing backdrop of the National Archaeology Museum. The “Mosteiro dos Jerónimos” is one of the most important examples of architecture in Portugal and was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The longest leg of the Rally Portugal is Saturday, with six special stages covering 158.74 kilometres over countless jumps on winding gravel routes along the Algarve coast. As at the Rally Mexico, the drivers must wait until Sunday to tackle the longest of all the stages – the 50-kilometre “Almodovar” special stage. When Sunday comes around, however, they will take on this monster stage not once, but twice, with the second run also forming the final Power Stage. Nowhere else do the drivers have to work harder to earn the bonus world championship points on offer for first, second and third place.

Andreas Mikkelsen: youngest driver ever to win a WRC point and two-time IRC champion

Andreas Mikkelsen was just 17 when he made his debut in the FIA World Rally Championship. Fifth place at the 2008 Rally Sweden when just 17 years and 233 days old earned the Norwegian a place in the rallying history books as the youngestdriver ever to win a World Championship point. In the same year, Mikkelsen worked with two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm to improve his driving style. This proved to be a successful move: after claiming first place in the 2009 Norwegian Rally Championship, Mikkelsen burst onto the international stage when he won the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) at the wheel of a Škoda Fabia S2000. As well as successfully defending his IRC title, he also contested eight rounds of the World Championship for Volkswagen Motorsport in 2012.

Mikkelsen’s co-driver Mikko Markkula can also look back on a successful past with Škoda. The Finn claimed his first race win in the IRC alongside compatriot Juho Hänninen in 2009, and went on to win the title the following year. For the last two years, Markkula has narrowly missed out on the IRC title, finishing just behind a fellow Škoda driver on both occasions: Andreas Mikkelsen.

Quotes ahead of the Rally Portugal

Jari-Matti Latvala, Polo R WRC #7
“I have often been quick in Portugal, but my best result so far is the third place I achieved in 2011. I hope I manage to come through clean this year and challenge for a place on the podium. The Polo R WRC certainly has the potential. Sébastien’s victories in Sweden and Mexico have shown that. The first three rounds of the world championship were a bit difficult for me. Unfortunately, not everything went entirely to plan. I just needed time to get used to the car. However, I had the necessary trust in the car on the Power Stage in Mexico – and that good feeling got even stronger during the tests in Portugal. The Rally Portugal is known for its ‘blind crests’, which are really rather special. You really have to be alert as you approach these crests, as you cannot see whether they are followed by a left-hander or a right-hander. For this reason, it is also important to be very accurate during the Recce in the run-up to the rally, to ensure that the pace notes cannot be misunderstood in any way.”

Sébastien Ogier, Polo R WRC #8
"I'm feeling much better now, after illness left me feeling below par last week. Withdrawing from the Fafe Rally Sprint was a very tough decision, especially given all the enthusiastic fans. However, it was the right decision in order to allow me to recover fully. We saw at the Rally Mexico that the Polo R WRC is also competitive on gravel, and that is important. The coming rally in Portugal is another good indication of where we stand, and will be particularly interesting because those will be the kind of conditions we will come up against most often in the World Rally Championship: hard gravel and stages not much above sea level. However, the Rally Portugal has two sides to it. When it is dry there, the ground is very hard and offers a lot of grip. However, when it is wet, the ground becomes very soft and muddy and only offers a very limited amount of grip.

“We discovered that last year – and it is not particularly fun driving there in those conditions. I much prefer it to be dry. A feature of the special stages in Portugal are the many crests and jumps, which are often followed by quick, blind corners. I am confident that we will follow on from our excellent recent performances in Portugal, as I really like the rally. It is one of my favourite rallies. In 2010 it was the scene of my first victory in the World Rally Championship, and I won again there in 2011. That makes it the only WRC rally that I have won twice in my career – so far.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Polo R WRC #9
“I can hardly wait for the start of the Rally Portugal. It will be my first rally with the Polo R WRC, although I did have a number of outings with Volkswagen last year and have already been completely integrated in the team. As such, the only thing that is really new to me is the element of competing in a current World Rally Car. After two successful years in the IRC, I feel ready to take the step up into the World Rally Championship. In my opinion, the Rally Portugal is one of the most difficult on the race calendar. There are a lot of ‘blind’ passagesand relatively little grip. The last time I drove there was back in 2007, so itwill practically be a new event for me. I was lucky enough to be able to take part in the Recce last year. As such, I have some idea of what to expect. Despite this, it will certainly beone of the most difficult rallies of the year for me. It will be important not to make any mistakes and to avoid any incidents. We want to finish the race and learn as much as possible. After that, we can concentrate on getting quicker at the subsequent rallies.”

Three questions for Sven Smeets, WRC Team Manager

What does it mean to the team, to line up with a third Polo R WRC from the Rally Portugal onward – from both a sporting and logistical point of view?
“From a sporting point of view, it is obviously nice to see Andreas back in a World Rally Car after a long break. He initially has different sporting goals to those of Sébastien and Jari-Matti. Portugal, in particular, is practically new territory for him. For Andreas, it will primarily be a matter of gaining experience and completing the rallies wherever possible. Where he feels more confident, he can also show what kind of speed he is capable of. For the team, a third car simply means more material and more work. We have to take more spare parts with us, including an additional spare engine and another gearbox. On top of that comes the equipment for another service place, as well as additional personnel: one engineer and three mechanics. Compared to the first two rallies in Europe, we are now travelling with another truck, which will mainly be loaded with material for Andreas and Mikko’s Polo R WRC.”

Why did Volkswagen not start the rally season with three Polo R WRCs right from the word go, rather than contest the first three rounds of the world championship with just two cars?
“Because of the extra effort that comes with a third car. We wanted to give ourselves enough time to conscientiously run through all the processes involved in a rally weekend – and with a completely new car and, to a certain degree, new drivers. We also wanted to see how the Polo R WRC performed in competitive conditions. Had we discovered a major problem over the course of the first three rallies, we would then have had to solve it on three cars. It goes without saying that this would also have meant extra costs. When it boils down to it, we just wanted to give ourselves a little time to find our feet in the first three months of the season.”

What will be the team’s biggest challenge at the Rally Portugal?
“That depends in no small part on the weather. In the past we have seen that the cars are given quite a tough ride at this rally when it rains. The route becomes very muddy and slippery. However, when it is dry and the roads are in good condition, we will experience a really good gravel rally in Portugal, at which it will all come down to the driver. It is a real drivers’ rally. The closing Power Stage is also over 52 kilometres long. That is extraordinaryin itself, and means that the drivers must really earn the extra world championship points.”

The number for the Rally Portugal: 92,160
Being involved in rallying sometimes means being spoilt for choice. For example, the drivers and engineers at Volkswagen have thousands of different possible configurations when working on the set-up of the Polo R WRC. Even just the suspension of the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg offers 92,160 set-up options.

Volkswagen in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

In entering the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Volkswagen is adding another chapter to its motorsport success story. Volkswagen claimed overall victory at the Rally Dakar with the Race Touareg in 2009, 2010 and 2011 – celebrating a hat-trick of titles at the toughest marathon rally in the world. The Polo R WRC is the first World Rally Car produced by the Wolfsburg-based company, which now lines up with its own works team in the pinnacle of rallying. The series offers Volkswagen the opportunity to prove itself on a global platform in direct sporting competition. No model is more suited to the challenge than the Polo – one of Volkswagen’s most heavily produced and distributed models in the world.

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Standings

Drivers’ Championship
1. Sébastien Ogier, 74; 2. Sébastien Loeb, 43; 3. Mikko Hirvonen, 30; 4. Dani Sordo, 27;
5. Mads Østberg, 26; 6. Thierry Neuville, 25; 7. Jari-Matti Latvala, 15; 8. Martin Prokop, 14;
9. Bryan Bouffier, 10; 10. Nasser Al-Attiyah, 10; 11. Juho Hänninen, 8; 12. Chris Atkinson, 8;
13. Ken Block, 6; 14. Sepp Wiegand, 4; 15. Henning Solberg, 4; 16. Benito Guerra, 4;
17. Evgeny Novikov, 3; 18. Olivier Burri, 2; 19. Micha? Kosciuszko, 1; 20. Yazeed Al Rajhi, 1

Manufacturers’ Championship
1. Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, 87; 2. Volkswagen Motorsport, 81; 3. Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team, 37; 4. Qatar World Rally Team, 35; 5. Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team, 23; 6. Jipocar Czech National Team, 14; 7. Lotos WRC Team, 12

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

The seventh-generation version of the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI, which was introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show in March, is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting at £25,845 on the road – just £195 more than the previous model despite substantial enhancements.  For the first time it is available from the factory with two power levels: the standard 220 PS GTI and the GTI Performance, a £980 option which increases power to 230 PS, adds larger brake discs and a front limited-slip differential.

The new GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with 220 PS.  In the GTI Performance version, the engine’s maximum power is boosted to 230 PS.  Both GTI models develop a maximum torque of 350 Nm (258 lbs ft).  The standard GTI accelerates to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 152 mph.  The GTI Performance has a top speed of 155 mph and needs just 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 62 mph.  Despite its impressive performance, the new Golf GTI is in insurance group 29E – five groups lower than its predecessor.

Both versions of the GTI are equipped with a Stop/Start system and fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014.  With a six-speed manual gearbox, they attain the same low fuel consumption value of 47.1 mpg (CO2 emissions of 139 g/km).  This means that the latest Golf GTI offers an 18 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model.  With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the two GTI models achieve fuel consumption figures of 44.1 mpg (equivalent to 148 g/km CO2 for the standard GTI and 149 g/km CO2 for the GTI Performance).

Buyers who opt for the £980 Performance pack gain not just an extra 10 PS of power, but also uprated brakes and a limited-slip differential.  The ventilated front brake discs increase from 312 x 25 mm to 340 x 30 mm , while the rear discs, which are 300 x 12 mm solid discs on the ‘standard’ GTI, are changed to 310 x 22 mm ventilated discs.  The front differential is a new development, dubbed VAQ.  This provides more neutral and agile driving behaviour and allows higher speeds to be carried through curves.  The system consists of a multi-plate coupler between the differential cage and right driveshaft, which controls locking torque electro-hydraulically.  Visually, vehicles with the Performance pack are distinguished solely by ‘GTI’ lettering on the red brake callipers.

The sporty character of the Golf GTI is reflected in its styling, which includes the characteristic red stripe across the honeycomb radiator grille – now also extending into the standard bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights – red-painted brake callipers, two chrome tailpipes and sports suspension.  As standard, the GTI comes with 18-inch ‘Austin’ alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres, special side sills, a rear diffuser framing the exhaust pipe at either side, smoked LED rear lights and LED number plate illumination. 

Interior highlights include 2Zone climate control, sports seats with the classic tartan ‘Jacara’ cloth upholstery, a black roof lining and red ambience lighting.  GTI drivers will also appreciate the bespoke sports steering wheel, gear lever and instrument cluster, trim strips and stainless steel pedal caps.   The standard touchscreen infotainment system also includes DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

As well as high performance, a high level of safety equipment comes as standard in the Golf GTI. On top of high passive safety levels – thanks in part to a passenger cell made from high- and ultra-high strength steels – active safety features include the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system, which automatically applies the vehicle brakes after an accident to reduce the chances of a second impact; the pre-crash system, which tensions seatbelts and closes windows and the sunroof if an accident is likely to improve the effectiveness of the airbags; Front Assist, which warns the driver in the event of coming too close to the vehicle in front, can prime the brakes, and operates at speeds of up to 99 mph; City Emergency Braking, which can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds below 18 mph; Automatic Distance Control, a radar-operated cruise control that maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front; and seven airbags as standard, including one for the driver’s knees.

Optional equipment includes 19-inch ‘Santiago’ alloy wheels, ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery, keyless entry, High Beam Assist, Lane Assist, Park Assist (parking sensors are standard), a rear view camera, ACC Adaptive Chassis Control, touchscreen satellite navigation and a Dynaudio sound pack with 10-channel amplifier and eight speakers.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

The new Golf just keeps on winning: an international expert jury today named the bestseller from Wolfsburg ‘World Car of the Year 2013’.  The globally sought-after prize was awarded at the New York International Auto Show.  The ‘World Car of the Year’ title is a further milestone in the growing list of awards for the Golf.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained: ‘We at Volkswagen are all delighted that the Golf has been named ‘World Car of the Year’.  To win this award again shows that the Golf is and remains in a class of its own all around the world.  This car sets new benchmarks again and again, not least in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials. Soon, for instance, the Golf will also be launched as a plug-in hybrid and as a 100% electric car.’

For over 30 years, the Golf has been an established feature of the motoring scene around the globe.  For the seventh generation of the bestseller today’s prize represented its 17th award since being launched in November 2012.  In giving their reasons for the award, the jury said: ‘The Golf is just the right size – it’s spacious, practical and comfortable.  It has a fresh, progressive design, a new range of engines, plus an impressive list of equipment and safety systems.  If there is a car for everyone, the Golf is it.’

It was only three weeks ago that the compact car from Wolfsburg was crowned European Car of the Year.  Further accolades from home and abroad, such as ‘The Best Cars of 2013’, ‘Auto Trophy 2012’ and the ‘Top Gear – All the car you’ll ever need’ award, round off the list of successes.

The ‘World Car of the Year’ jury consists of 66 motoring journalists from 23 countries, who rate new cars appearing on the world market not only for the award, but also in their daily reporting work for millions of drivers and car enthusiasts.  Volkswagen has for a long time been a firm fixture in the ‘World Car of the Year’ awards: the model before the current Golf for instance, won the renowned prize back in 2009.  In 2012, the cherished international trophy went to the company’s smallest car, the up!.  And 2010 was also dominated by Volkswagen: the Polo was crowned overall winner and the BlueMotion models of the Polo, Golf and Passat took the title ‘World Green Car of the Year’.

Over the coming months, further models will be added to the Golf range: the Golf GTI and Golf GTD, two sportier versions, are being launched in the spring.  From the middle of April customers will also be able to order the new, dynamic and spacious Golf Estate.  Following this in the second half of the year comes the new Golf TDI BlueMotion, which sets new standards in terms of fuel consumption and environmental compatibility.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen is giving its customers even better value for money, with extra standard equipment on Polo models, along with the introduction of the stylish yet economical Polo R-Line Style.

The super-frugal Polo BlueMotion and the value-packed Polo Match now come with rear parking sensors, cruise control and an alarm, and the Match has been renamed the Polo Match Edition, to indicate its enhanced specification. Together, the additional equipment has a value of £510, but the price for these models is increased by just £135 starting at £11,910 (OTR RRP) for the 1.2-litre 60 PS three-door.

Further up the Polo range, the SEL, R-Line, BlueGT and GTI models all now come with cruise control and rear parking sensors (as well as an alarm, which as before remains standard equipment), without any increase in price.

As well as these enhancements, a new model joins the Polo line-up: the Polo R-Line Style. As the name suggests, the R-Line Style packs all of the great looks of the Polo R-Line, but with equipment and engines that make it even more accessible and prices starting from £11,740.

Based on the Polo S, the Polo R-Line Style adds the R-Line body kit – which consists of distinctive front and rear bumpers, a bespoke radiator grille, and side skirts – body-coloured door handles and door mirrors, 16-inch ‘Rivazza’ alloy wheels and a Bluetooth touch phone kit. As on the Polo S, air conditioning is an option on the Polo R-Line Style. The new model is available four eye-catching colours: Flash Red, Candy White, Nimbus Grey and Deep Black Pearl.

While the Polo R-Line comes with a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS engine, the Polo R-Line Style is available with either a 1.2-litre 60 PS engine or a 1.2-litre 70 PS unit, in insurance categories 5E and 8E respectively, making it much more accessible for younger drivers.

Prices of the enhanced Polo range can be found overleaf, or for further details and a full pricelist, click here.  Here customers can also find out about a number of attractive finance offers available through Volkswagen Financial Services. 

From now until 30 June 2013, all Polo models acquired on the Solutions PCP package come with a £1,000 deposit contribution and monthly payments from as little as £135 (6.4% APR, based on 3 yrs / 30,000 miles, see here for full Ts&Cs).  They are also available with free insurance (age restrictions apply), while all Polos purchased on Solutions are also available with up to three years servicing for just £249.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Our advanced Electronic Stabilisation Programme detects critical situations to stop skidding before it begins.

ESP predicts what your car is about to do. It uses sensors to monitor the progress of your wheels and the moment they start to slip, ESP takes over by:

  • Applying the brakes to one or more wheels
  • Reducing engine power if necessary

This fast, effective reaction stops skidding before it begins.

How it works?

ESP links to your car's electronic systems, such as the anti-lock brakes (ABS) and engine braking control (EBC). It has sensors on the wheels and steering wheel, plus a yaw movement sensor.

The ESP also uses the electronic differential lock (EDL) and traction control to help correct over steer, under steer and loss of stability. The result is the best possible traction when driving round bends.

ESP monitors your car at all times. As soon as something unusual happens - if a wheel loses grip, for example, or the car starts to slip, it helps regain control by applying the brakes to each or all of the wheels, and cutting engine power.

Trailer stabilisation

The latest generation of ESP also offers trailer stabilisation. If it detects your trailer is starting to yaw, the system automatically reduces engine power and applies the brakes to the right wheels dynamically, in phase with the yawing. This counteracts the snaking motion and stabilises the car and trailer. When everything is stable again the brakes and engine power return to normal control. The automatic braking process also turns on the brake lights to warn other drivers, even if the driver is not touching the brake pedal.

Only when used with factory fit or approved accessory tow bars.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk