World premiere Polo R WRC IAA Frankfurt

World premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA): Volkswagen is presenting the first drivable prototype of the Polo R WRC that will be used to launch the testing programme this year in preparation for the FIA World Rally Championship. In 2013 Volkswagen will start to contest the top rally racing category, thus setting new aims for the brand after three consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally. The new Polo was unveiled in Frankfurt on Monday evening to an audience of about 2,000 international media representatives and will be showcased on the Volkswagen stand for the duration of the motor show. "In February we started designing the vehicle concept for the Polo R WRC. Now we're already in a position to present the first ready-to-run vehicle that will subsequently be used in extensive tests – an important step in our preparations for the WRC entry in 2013,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

VW to start contesting the WRC with the Polo R WRC in 2013

FIA World Rally Championship. "We have invited you to join us here in Olbia to announce Volkswagen’s entry in the World Rally Championship starting in 2013.” – These were the words used by Volkswagen Management Board Member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg as he declared Volkswagen’s entry into the most versatile of the four automobile world championships (World Rally Championship, WRC).

In front of 200 journalists he unveiled the concept of the Polo R WRC, the car with which Volkswagen will compete from 2013 onwards, together with Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing of Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Luca de Meo: "Almost exactly two years ago, in May 2009, the most recent model of the Polo was presented here in Sardinia. Today we are proud to show you the hottest Polo of all time – the Polo R WRC.”