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What happens when two men drive the perfect rally: round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) saw Volkswagen claim an outstanding result, courtesy of a one-two, as well as first and third places on the closing Power Stage. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia secured their fifth win of the season at the Rally Poland, the 29th of their careers. Volkswagen has now started 33 rallies, during which time the two-time world champions have contributed 22 of the 28 victories achieved with the Polo R WRC. As such, they have been victorious in two thirds of all rallies since January 2013. However, Ogier/Ingrassia were pushed all the way to the finish at the fastest rally of the WRC year so far, and had to produce a flawless performance to fend off the challenge of team-mates Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) and eventually win by just 11.9 seconds. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) in the third Polo R WRC was embroiled in a thrilling battle with Ott Tanak/Raigo Mölder (EST/EST, M-Sport-Ford) for third place, before ending the Rally Poland in fifth place following a last-minute mistake.

Thrilling duel: two-time world champion vs. youngster has Rally

The battle between Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene at the Rally Poland will go down as one of the most exciting duels in the history of rallying. In extreme heat, with the temperature never dropping below the 30-degree mark, and with vast stretches of the route taken at full throttle, the two duos produced virtually flawless performances in similar conditions. The challenger, Mikkelsen, kept the pressure on defending champion Ogier right down to the finish – in the end, Ogier had his nose in front by just 11.9 seconds.

One and a half hours flat-out through Poland – high-speed festival in Masuria

When it comes to speed, Andreas Mikkelsen is your man. The Volkswagen youngster clocked the quickest time on both of the fastest stages of the season so far, “Gorklo” and “Wieliczki” – at average speeds of 131.09 and 128.13 kilometres per hour. Sébastien Ogier secured a hard-fought victory at the Rally Poland with an average speed of 121.41 km/h. The two-time world champion spent 60.31 per cent of the Rally Poland at full throttle. That is 1:28.10.1 hours of the winning time of 2:26.11.5 hours. The Rally Poland is now twelfth in the list of the 15 fastest WRC rallies of all time, in which the Rally Finland makes eleven appearances.

For comparison: the fastest round in the history of the World Rally Championship took place in Finland in 2012 – with an average speed of 122.90 kilometres per hour.

Exciting final few kilometres for Jari-Matti Latvala on his way to fifth place

Fifth place – the final few metres of the Rally Poland had a dramatic twist in store for Jari-Matti Latvala. The 2014 World Championship runner-up arrived in Poland having never finished on the podium in Masuria, and that place on the rostrum ultimately eluded him again in 2015. In trying to wrestle third place from Ott Tanak, the Finn skidded off the track on the very last special stage, hitting a tree with the front of his car. Making his 150th appearance in the WRC, Latvala had to postpone the celebrations for the 49th podium of his career. However, he was able to rescue fifth place despite a damaged radiator, thanks to an energetic effort from his mechanics. Going into the closing Power Stage, Latvala was just 1.1 seconds behind Ott Tanak/Raigo Mölder (EST/EST, M-Sport Ford).

Low retirement rate at Rally Poland – despite high speeds and heat

All 14 World Rally Cars reached the finish, with just one returning under Rally 2 regulations: the retirement rate at the 2015 Rally Poland was remarkably low. As in Monte Carlo and Sweden, Volkswagen enjoyed another round of the World Championship without any technical problems, with nothing more than routine work required during the six major services – and that at the fastest and hottest rally of the year so far. The only exception was the seventh and last service for Jari-Matti Latvala’s Polo R WRC, which was successfully repaired in time for the final 2.1-kilometre liaison stage after his crash on the Power Stage.

The success story continues: seventh rally of the season, third one-two for Volkswagen

Volkswagen completed its twelfth one-two in the history of the Polo R WRC in Poland. In total, the Polo R WRC now has 54 podiums to its name after 33 rallies. Of 610 special stages, 417 have been won by the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer

Power Stage remains Volkswagen territory

Bonus points on 57 occasions: Volkswagen also made its mark with the 32nd Power Stage with the Polo R WRC. The three bonus points for the Drivers’ and Co-Driver Championship in Poland went to Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who have now clocked the fastest time on this special stage six times in a row in 2015. Third place went to Andreas Mikkelsen and Ola Fløene, who also picked up one extra point.

One-two in the Drivers’ Championship – lead extended in the Manufacturers’ Championship

The excellent all-round team result in Poland sees Andreas Mikkelsen and Ola Fløene climb into second place overall, behind World Championship leaders Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia. Ogier/Ingrassia top the standings with a 78-point lead over Mikkelsen/Fløene and 95 points in front of Latvala/Anttila, who are currently fourth behind Mads Østberg/Jonas Andersson (N/S, Citroën). Volkswagen also extended its lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship and now lies 89 points ahead of its closest rival Citroën.

Quotes after day three of the Rally Poland

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #1

“A fantastic Rally Poland! I am absolutely delighted and happy to have repeated last year’s win here. Julien and I really produced a perfect performance. The many fans and sensationally fast stages made this rally a fantastic event. The Polo worked perfectly. A big thank you to my team for that. Apart from the high temperatures, I had loads of fun in the cockpit. The win is also a huge step towards the World Championship title. We may now have a comfortable lead after the first half of the season, but there are still six rallies to come.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #2

“I pushed to the absolute maximum as I tried desperately to make it onto the podium. Unfortunately it was not to be. The crash on the Power Stage meant I dropped back into fifth place. Fortunately the Polo is a sturdy car and, in the end, we were grateful to our mechanics, whose energetic display kept us in the race. Without their efforts, we would not have made it to the finish. Compliments to my team-mates Andreas and Sébastien. I was not able to match their pace this weekend. Next up is the Rally Finland – my personal highlight of the year. I would obviously like to get back on the podium at my home race. That is what I will be working toward.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9

“That was by far the best WRC rally of my career. I like the characteristics and high-speed rallies like the one here in Poland. I came close to bagging a first win, and it ultimately just came down to a few minor details. I am incredibly proud of our performance here in Poland. Sure, we came close in Sweden too, but that was our home rally. To be battling for victory on a par with the world championship here is of a completely different, far higher significance. I am confident it is only a question of time before we get our first win. Second place in Poland is far from a poor result for us, and worth its weight in gold in the World Championship. We have regained second place in the Drivers’ and Co-Driver Championship.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director

“The Rally Poland was a virtually perfect rally in every regard for Volkswagen. Firstly, our drivers proved emphatically that they are the best three in the World Rally Championship. Secondly, they were involved in exciting battles with each other and our opponents, and did a great job of promoting the sport of rallying. The rally was also optimal from a technical point of view, without even a minor problem. Our technicians can be extremely proud of that – as that cannot be taken for granted at the hottest and fastest rally of the year. The team could not be closer, as far as team spirit and healthy rivalry is concerned. Andreas Mikkelsen enjoyed a fantastic rally, and narrowly missed out on his first win. However, he proved that Jari-Matti Latvala is not the only man the world champion – Sébastien Ogier – must view as a serious threat.”

And then there was ...

... a speedy trip home. Richard Browne, race engineer for Andreas Mikkelsen, will have to make haste after the Rally Poland. He heads straight back to the Volkswagen team headquarters in Hannover, from where he will travel straight to the USA, where he will marry his fiancée Maggy in the state of Delaware this Saturday. We wish both of them all the best!

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

UK order books are now open for a raft of new ultra-frugal petrol models in the Golf hatchback, Estate and SV.  Powered by a new three-cylinder 1.0-litre 115 PS turbocharged petrol engine, the new Golf TSI BlueMotion returns 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km.  Also available for the first time with a BlueMotion engine is the option of a DSG automatic gearbox.  These cars combine the economy benefits of a diesel with the upfront price benefits of a petrol, with the Golf Match TSI BlueMotion costing £19,740 RRP OTR.  The first deliveries of these cars are due in September.

At the heart of the TSI BlueMotion is a 1.0-litre (999 cc) three-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine from the EA211 series.  This generates 115 PS from 5,000 to 5,500 rpm; standstill to 62 mph takes 9.7 seconds while top speed is 127 mph.  With 200 Nm, the TSI BlueMotion has the highest specific torque of any large-scale production series of petrol engines.  This is available from 2,000 rpm, though 150 Nm is already delivered from just 1,500 rpm.

Combined economy for the Golf hatchback is 65.7 mpg with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km for both the six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG versions.  Such economy is achieved through substantial engine development as well as a number of aerodynamic measures.  By lowering the chassis by 15 mm, adapting the radiator grille, optimising the cooling airflow and fitting special underfloor panels and a rear spoiler, the Golf TSI BlueMotion’s Cd value has been reduced to 0.28 (from 0.29 in the standard Golf).  The car also features super low rolling resistance tyres.  While this improvement may sound modest, it should be noted that in developing the seventh generation Golf, engineers made a 10 per cent improvement in aerodynamics.

Inside the engine, an ultra-rigid crankcase made of lightweight die-cast aluminium and its compact construction with three cylinders mean the 1.0-litre TSI is around 15 kg lighter than a comparable four-cylinder engine.  The exhaust manifold has been fully integrated into the cylinder head and fitted with a cooling jacket to make the best possible use of exhaust gas energy during the warm-up phase and to cool the exhaust gases even more effectively at high loads.  The TSI BlueMotion is also fitted with a toothed belt, which compared to a chain drive, reduces friction by around 30 per cent, while the maximum injection pressure of the 1.0-litre TSI is high for a petrol at 250 bar, while advanced five-hole solenoid injectors ensure precise fuel injections and results in faster energy conversion.

Unlike the diesel BlueMotion model which is based on the entry-level S, the Golf TSI BlueMotion comes as standard in Match trim.  As such it benefits from equipment highlights including ESC, XDS and seven airbags, an Automatic Post Collision Braking System, a PreCrash system, cruise control, stop/start with battery regeneration and driver alert (NB ACC and Front Assist are not standard).  The Golf Match TSI BlueMotion has 16-inch ‘Dover’ alloy wheels.

This new 1.0-litre BlueMotion engine will also be available in the Golf Estate and Golf SV, with predicted fuel economy figures of 65.7 mpg and 99 g/km (103 for DSG) for the Estate, and 62.8 mpg / 105 g/km (61.4/105 for DSG) for the SV.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Two top Volkswagen concept cars from Germany will be among the major attractions at this year’s GTI International, Britain’s longest-running and most successful annual event for enthusiasts of the Golf GTI and other related high-performance Volkswagen Group models.

GTI International will this year again be staged at the Shakespeare County Raceway, near Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4-5 July.

Star attractions this year will be the 190 mph Golf R 400, with 400 PS and 450 Nm of torque – plus the looks to match its huge performance – as well as the XL Sport two-seater sports car, which is powered by a 200 PS Ducati Superleggera V2 engine and has a top speed of 168 mph.

Both cars will be on display in the main Show ’n’ Shine and Concours area, sponsored by Dialynx Performance, which also attracts hundreds of the best-kept Volkswagens in Britain and Europe, with entries from original and restored concours classics to highly modified and customised cars.

Another novel attraction that needs to be seen to be believed, is a 70 mph four-wheel-drive Volkswagen V6-powered fully road-legal wooden shed!

The other main focus of attention will be the quarter-mile sprint track, sponsored by Milltek Sport, where visitors to the event can test the acceleration of their cars against the clock on a real drag strip with world-class timing, watched by a crowd from the 3,000-seater grandstand.

The strip will also witness demo runs from many of the country’s top tuning companies, as well as members of the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club. Returning this year and planning to break his previous record will be Paul Jordan with his four-wheel-drive Scirocco 20VT that last year covered the quarter-mile track in 9.021 seconds at 148.78 mph.

The club display area will be crammed with all the country’s top Volkswagen clubs and there will also be a wide range of trade stands, cars for sale, an autojumble, Monster truck rides and a funfair, while overnight camping on site – with permanent toilet and shower facilities, catering, clubhouse and bar – provides cost-effective accommodation as well as great camaraderie, with Saturday evening entertainment supplied by a live band – the UB40 Experience.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen is preparing to delight automotive fans at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed on 26-28 June by showcasing four new cars, all of which are making their UK debuts.  These are the Sport Coupé GTE Concept, the XL Sport and the Golf R400, as well as the 2015 Polo R WRC rally car.

The Sport Coupé GTE Concept made its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year.  Combining an exclusive sports car design with a four-door body and a glass roof extending into the tailgate, it marks the beginning of a new design era for Volkswagen.  Under the bonnet the Sport Coupé GTE utilises a plug-in hybrid drive, combining a TSI petrol engine with two electric motors.

The XL Sport turned heads when it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2014.  Developed from the Volkswagen XL1, the world’s most energy efficient production car, the XL Sport is a super-efficient concept sports car powered by a Ducati Superleggera engine.  The two-cylinder Ducati V2 engine produces 200 PS and the XL Sport has a top speed of 168 mph.

The third concept on display on the Volkswagen stand will be the Golf R 400 which debuted at the Auto China show in Beijing in April 2014.  Based on the standard Golf R hatchback, the R 400 concept ups the ante considerably, with 400 PS and 450 Nm of torque – plus looks to match the performance.

The Polo R WRC is of course not a concept, but a very real car which has seen action across the globe in the World Rally Championship.  This model won the WRC last year and is currently leading the manufacturer and driver championships.  The car’s appearance at Goodwood comes just a couple of weeks after the manufacturer secured a 1-2-3 podium finish at the Rally of Portugal.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, dubbed the ‘largest motoring garden party in the world’ is a unique weekend that brings together cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create a celebration of all things automotive.  It is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, Sussex, and includes a famous hillclimb event up the drive of the house.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

A big step forward in the race for the World Championship: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Volkswagen made a big point with victory at the Rally Italy. Ogier and Ingrassia’s third win in a row on Sardinia allowed Volkswagen to significantly extend its leads in the Drivers’, Co-Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships. After almost half the season in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Ogier/Ingrassia are now 66 points clear of their closest rivals, while Volkswagen holds a 65-point lead. The road to the Polo R WRC’s fifth win of the season at the sixth rally of the year was literally a rocky one: faced with extremely tough conditions, scorching heat and the longest day of rallying for over a decade, the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg proved to be the fastest and most reliable. 14 special stages went to Volkswagen in Italy. Despite set-backs, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) were able to fight their way back to finish sixth in Italy. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene, returning for the second time under Rally 2 regulations, finished third behind their two team-mates to claim a bonus point on the Power Stage.

Top class: TurbOgier on the podium for the 25th time with Volkswagen

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are the weekend’s biggest winners, and not only courtesy of their third victory in a row on Sardinia: they paced themselves intelligently at a rally that placed the car under enormous strain, ramping up the pressure at exactly the right time to move into the lead, and then defending that lead cleverly in the closing stages. All the top teams suffered set-backs at the Rally Italy, as the tough conditions took their toll – except Ogier and Ingrassia. Ogier/Ingrassia took their place on the podium for the 25th time with the Polo R WRC – 21 times as winners and four times as runners-up.

Sheer willpower rewarded with points: Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila

In contrast, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) lost time on several occasions. However, they showed an exemplary attitude to score valuable World Championship points for themselves and Volkswagen. Two punctures on Friday and Saturday initially cost them about three minutes, while damage to the suspension following a collision with a rock on the racing line cost a further five. Despite this, Latvala/Anttila and a valiant mechanic – coupled with a magnificent driving display – ensured the damage was kept to an absolute minimum. In total, the Finnish duo won seven special stages – more than their team-mates. The final result: an outstanding sixth place, given the set-backs.

A courageous point on the Power Stage: strong finishing sprint from Andreas Mikkelsen
    
Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) also claimed a moral victory. The duo were forced to retire on Friday after unfortunately hitting a hole in the road, and also failed to complete the Saturday. However, rejoining the race under Rally 2 regulations for the second time, they took their chance on Sunday to ensure they did not leave Italy empty-handed: Mikkelsen/Fløene scored one World Championship point, courtesy of third place on the Power Stage, on which points are awarded to the fastest three cars. They were only beaten by their team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila. For Volkswagen, these marked the 53rd, 54th and 55th time that one of the duos had picked up bonus points in 31 Power Stages.

Almost 30 degrees – Rally Italy a real scorcher and a bone-shaker

The kind of high temperatures that have virtually become a tradition on Sardinia made the Rally Italy a real scorcher – with air temperatures of around 29 degrees and up to 43 degrees out on the road. Faced with an extremely rutty gravel route, including large rocks, the drivers and co-drivers had to remain fully focussed at all times. This was a particularly tough challenge on Saturday: at 212.83 kilometres, this was the longest day of rallying since the 2002 Safari Rally. The long days meant the team was also pushed to its limit. The mechanics were working until shortly before midnight – the alarm then woke them again at five in the morning. However, the team provided the perfect backing for Ogier, Latvala and Mikkelsen and guaranteed three perfectly-prepared Polo R WRCs every morning.

Formula for success: the Rally Italy in facts and figures

The 27th victory for the Polo R WRC in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and podium number 52 since the World Rally Car made its debut in January 2013: Volkswagen added new chapters to its remarkable success story on Sardinia. The Polo R WRC now has 406 stage wins from 592 special stages, having added a further 14 in Italy. Since the project started at the Rally Monte Carlo in 2013, the Polo R WRCs have completed a total of 30,108.95 kilometres against the clock. That is the equivalent of about three quarters of the way around the earth at rally speed. 

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk