{"id":2144,"date":"2015-12-22T03:01:56","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T03:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=2144"},"modified":"2024-12-27T12:48:31","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T12:48:31","slug":"2013-volkswagen-polo-r-wrc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/2013-volkswagen-polo-r-wrc\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 Volkswagen Polo R WRC"},"content":{"rendered":"
2013 Volkswagen Polo R WRC<\/h1>\n
Wolfsburg, 0 8 December 2012. Developing a competitive car for the FIA World Rally championship (WRC) is an extremely complex task. One minute it is c rouched low on smooth asphalt, the next it is travelling sideways on ice and snow, then it is tearing over rough gravel on tiptoes \u2013 then you have searing heat at one event and icy cold at the next. No other type of international motorsport offers such a wide range of climatic conditions and different surfaces . The cars in the World Rally Championship must overcome all these obstacles. Take this fine example of the flexibility that must be demonstrated by the car\u2019s concept : there is a difference of about 10 0 mm between the ground clearance for gravel and asphalt. The chassis and engine must be as efficient as physically possible in the multitude of different conditions. Strong enough to take the strain, light enough to guarantee the necessary performance.<\/span><\/p>\n
Development of the Polo R WRC<\/h4>\n
The Volkswagen engineers applied a minimalist approach during the 17 – month development of the Polo R WRC, which was based on the production Polo, from which the basic chassis was used. Every single component was subjected to numerous tests to determine the dimensions and weight, and was continuously improved over the course of the one and a half year development period . A strict schedule was adhered to, in order to ensure the homolog ated Polo R WRC was ready to be launched in time for the 2013 season: after the launch of the concept car in May 2011, Volkswagen initially tested a so-called 0 car as a component carrier , which completed its roll- out in the vineyards around Trier in autumn 2011. At the wheel of the concept car were Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management responsible for development, and rally legend Carlos Sainz .<\/p>\n
The computer- assisted simulation of the first concept for the actual Polo R WRC began at the same time . The Volkswagen engineers then produced their own very special Christmas present: the first Polo R WRC was delivered to the foyer at Volkswagen Motorsport on Christmas Eve 2011. The roll- out followed at the Volkswagen test track in Ehra- Lessien in January 2012. Initial tests were also performed in Sweden and Spain. From March onwards , the technician s performed constant modificati o ns to the Polo R WRC. This included work on issues such as chassis kinematics and the lightweight construction of the car. The assembly of this improved version of the Polo R WRC, which will line up at the 2013 Rally Monte Carlo, ultimately began in September 2012 .<\/p>\n
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