VW is set to mint its arrival on the World Rally Championship by the end of the month. The team is expected to confirm that it will enter a car based on the current Polo either at an event to celebrate its hat trick of wins in the Dakar rally on March 22, or at the start of Rally Portugal, which runs from 24-27 March.
Originally, the team had intended to enter a car based on the Scirocco, but it doesn’t fit within the WRC’s maximum allowed width dimensions. A Polo is now being readied with a direct injection 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that’s based on the unit that will power the forthcoming Polo R.
Volkswagen will join Citroen, Ford and series newcomers MINI, who will compete in a limited campaign this year, followed by a full entry in the 2012 season. VW is expected to do the same, with a limited entry in 2012, followed by a full assault on the championship in 2013.
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