Volkswagen to test new rally-spec Polo R2

Volkswagen Motorsport India will begin testing a new specially developed rally car, Polo R2, in the upcoming IMS K-1000 Rally at Bangalore.

Multi Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title holder Karamjit Singh, driving for Team Slideways Industries, will get behind the wheel of the new prototype which will compete in a new category that will be introduced by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) in the Indian Rally Championship (IRC) next year.

The Polo R2 will also be tested at the Chikmaglur Rally in December after Bangalore.

The R2 is powered with a four-cylinder 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine that produces over 130 PS of power. The engine has been mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Other modifications to the car include Reiger Suspension and uprated Alcon brakes (285 mm front disc and 255 mm rear disc). The bodywork modifications comprise of aerodynamic body kit, rear spoiler, a roof vent and stripped interiors.

"The first running of the car has been done and the feedback has been good. Karamjit has been driving the Group N Polo this season for which we have been providing technical and spares support at the rally stages," Volkswagen Motorsport India head Prithviraj Siddappa said.

"He will now move up to the R2, which is a more powerful car. His inputs are crucial for us in developing the car further and we hope to see some positive steps after the K-1000 Rally."