PoloDriver

The Polo Sedan range has recently been revised in Russia, with a new 1.6-litre engine added to the line-up. A new entry-level model called Conceptline has been introduced at 469,900 Roubles, and new option packages have also been made available.

The new 1598cc engine develops 83bhp and joins the more powerful and long-serving 103bhp unit already on sale. It is allied to a five-speed manual gearbox. The new petrol engine is available in Conceptline, Trendline and Comfortline models. The higher-output unit is available from Trendline specification upwards.

All-encompassing range revisions include new instrument panel graphics which have been added to all versions and even the most basic model now comes with air-conditioning. Separate packages for Conceptline and Trendline cars include ‘Comfort’ (heated and electric mirrors), and ‘Design’ (tinted rear windows and alloy wheels). The ‘Security’ package includes side-curtain airbags, an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and heated front seats.

Comfortline models can be chosen with a six-speed automatic gearbox on 103bhp models, while the ‘Comfort’ package adds an electrically-heated windscreen, leather trim, climate control and a central armrest. The ‘Multimedia’ package includes an RCD 320 CD/AUX/USB and Bluetooth sound system, while ‘Security’ package-equipped cars have ESP and rear parking sensors.

Finally, the ‘Comfort’ package for Highline models includes rear parking sensors, and automatic rear-view mirror, wipers and lights. Another package for all models benefits from the most popular accessories which are carpet mats and an alarm.

Find out more at www.volkswagen.ru/ru/models/polo_sedan.html.

US TV star Tanner Foust celebrated his first 2014 Red Bull Rallycross Championship (GRC) victory of the season on 12-13 July, as he won the race in Uniondale at the wheel of his Polo RX Supercar. He follows in the tyre tracks of his Andretti Autosport team-mate Scott Speed, who has claimed two 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship wins from three rounds.

It was a rough race. Foust, a two-time rallycross champion asserted himself ahead of Speed at the specially constructed 751 metre-long circuit at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum from the off. After two red-flagged starts and much paint-rubbing, the US pair both looked to be bringing home trophies with a Volkswagen 1-2 finish.

However, Speed suffered a disqualification for ignoring a flag during the race, handing second place to Nelson Piquet Junior. An unapproved adjustment done under the first red flag of the race was Speed’s downfall. Under the championship’s supplemental regulations, he was penalized from that point forward, resulting in a ninth-place finish.

Foust used the sub-two-second 0-60mph launches of the Rockstar Energy Drink Polo RX to maximum effect, blazing off the line. ‘The starts were the critical factor for me here,’ said Foust. ‘It can be very difficult to make a pass on a tight rallycross course and getting out front early and staying out of trouble is key to winning.’

‘Ultimately, it was a great end to a long weekend,’ said Foust. ‘The two guys with the most road racing and oval experience—Scott Speed and Nelson Piquet Jr— certainly were the ones to beat. Luckily it’s still a rallycross start, and I was able to get the nose of the No 34 Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen in there off the line.’

Speed commented: ‘Obviously it was a “not to plan” weekend for the No 77 7UP Volkswagen. We were the fastest car all weekend during practice and heat sessions and then we had engine problems on our starts. The Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team did an incredible job, and the car definitely took a beating out there as we were pushing through the field.’

Speed is still second in the Drivers’ Championship point table, with a total of 149. The next round of the the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship will be in Concord, NC, at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, from 26-26 July.

2014 RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,

NEW YORK: FINAL RESULTS
1 Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Polo
2 Nelson Piquet Jr, #07 SH Racing Rallycross Ford Fiesta ST
3 Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford Fiesta ST
4 Joni Wiman, #31 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
5 Steve Arpin, #00 Royal Purple Racing/OMSE2 Ford Fiesta

2014 RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,

DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Nelson Piquet Jr, 184

2 Scott Speed, 149
3 Steve Arpin, 140
4 Joni Wiman, 124
5 Patrik Sandell, 116

2014 RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,

TEAMS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Ford, 373
2 Volkswagen, 244
3 Subaru, 117
4 Hyundai, 86
5 Chevrolet, 3

Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Pune, India, has produced its 400,000th car – a New Polo Highline 1.5 TDI in Flash Red. The milestone car is bound for the local market, and comes just six days after the New Polo (refreshed 6R) was launched there.

The 4000,000th car production celebration has been reached in just five years. The Chakan factory currently produces the Polo and Vento (Polo saloon) for both the local market and South Africa, and exports left-hand drive versions to Mexico and the Middle East.

The 575-acre site also makes the the Skoda Rapid (a rebadged Vento). Its output has been exported to over 32 countries in across three continents. Polos have been built in Pune since December 2009. Skoda Fabias first rolled out of the facility in March of the same year.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited said: ‘With over 400,000 cars produced at our stat-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the domestic as well as export market, we have firmly established our operations. We will continue to focus on productivity and further localisation to cater to the demand from our markets.’

Andreas Lauenroth, Volkswagen Executive Director – Technical, commented: ‘The roll out of the 400,000th car is a testimony of Volkswagen running its India productions in a higher gear without compromising our highest quality standards. With this achievement under our belt, we plan to keep moving forward with a greater thrust to position ourselves as a committed car manufacturer in the Indian market.’

He’s the sixth different winner in as many rounds, but no matter, Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikinnen drove his Polo RX Supercar to victory at the Belgian round of the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship at Mettet. The young Finn showed consistently strong driving at the 1km-long Circuit Jules Tacheny over the weekend of 12-13 July.

Heikinnen and his 600bhp four-wheel drive Polo were third after the opening two heats, while team-mate Anton Marklund held first. But, during the final race, Heikinnen pulled out all the stops, to claim the top spot on the podium, with Marklund in fifth.

‘Topi’ was more than pleased with performance: ‘I am absolutely over the moon. It is my first World Rallycross Championship win and I hope now that this is just the start of a fantastic second half of the season.’

Victory in Belgium had added benefits for Heikinnen as he climbed one position in the World Championship standings. The Finn now lies third with 117 points. Marklund is currently fifth with 85 points.

Team Peugeot Hansen driver Timmy Hansen finished second with Johan Kristofferson third in another Polo – one of a pair run by the Volkswagen Dealer Team / Kristofferson Motorsport outfit in Sweden. Kristofferson’s podium position was only his second World RX outing this year, and was also crowned the winner of the third round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX).

‘This is only the second race for us and I would have been happy just finishing in the semi-finals,’ said Kristofferson who was also awarded the Monster Energy Super Charge Award after his rapid start. ‘To get to the final was amazing and to be on the podium is just the best feeling! We had a really good start in the final race as we were in pole position and I think that’s what really helped us get here.’

Other Polos in action over the 31 per cent gravel and 69 per cent circuit included local driver Francois Duval who lives less than 30 miles from Mettet. Piloting another Polo RX run by Marklund Motorsport, Duval is the only Belgian driver to win a round of the World Rally Championship.

He has a strong track record in rallycross after winning the Belgian round of the European Rallycross Championship when it was held at Maasmechelen back in 2010. ‘The car seems to be performing well and I’ll be aiming for a good result,’ explained Duval before the event. In the end, the Belgian set a good pace in the Belgian VW Club / Gordon and Raemaekers Polo RX, but finished the event out of the top twelve rankings.

The Polo S1600 of Christian Petrakovits finished fifth in Heat 4 of the Super 1600 category, while the Polo of Patrick Mertens came home fifth in the first semi-final of the Touring Car classification.

The next round of the championship will take place at the Circuit Trois-Rivières in Canada between 7-8 August.

2014 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,

DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Petter Solberg, 125
2 Reinis Nitiss, 122

3 Toomas Heikkinen, 117
4 Andreas Bakkerud, 99

5 Anton Marklund, 85

2014 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP,

TEAMS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Ford Olsbergs MSE, 221

2 Volkswagen Marklund, 202

3 Team Peugeot-Hansen, 154
4 PSRX, 117

5 Monster Energy World RX Team, 60

In the latest issue of Volkswagen’s online magazine Das Auto, the company states that it’s not hard to lose your bearings in a big city like Barcelona. Which is why a New Polo is ideal – it offers more driver assistance systems than any other car in its class, don’t you know? If news of these technological innovations comes as a surprise, here’s a quick recap.

Front Assist
Front Assist is an optional traffic monitoring system from Volkswagen. It constantly measures the distance of other vehicles ahead via a radar sensor mounted on the front of the car. It detects critically reduced gaps and warns you of possible collisions.

It will automatically initiate a partial braking action if it detects no driver reaction, and will increase the braking pressure if the driver doesn’t brake hard enough. At low speeds (under 19mph) the integrated City Emergency Braking function helps you respond effectively to sudden situations.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
ACC measures the distance to the vehicle in front of you, adjusts your speed and maintains a preset distance. It does not exceed the speed you enter in the cruise control system.

Parking Assist / Rear Assist rear-view camera
The New Polo’s parking sensors make parallel parking easier with its audible warning beeps and graphic on the infotainment display. The Rear Assist rear-view camera superimposes guidelines over the camera image, with different colours depending on the distance.

Driver Alert System
If you’re tired, the New Polo’s Driver Alert System will recommend that you take a break. It can recognise fatigue and the resulting decline in attentiveness by continuously evaluating driving characteristics above a speed of 40mph. (That truly is witchcraft!)

Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) prepares you for all sorts of slippery driving scenarios by detecting critical driving situations and preventing the car from fishtailing.

Check out the New Polo’s driver assistance systems in more comprehensive detail at Volkswagen’s special technologies website.