PoloDriver

Modified Polo GTI 6N2s are nothing new. But Davie Fraser’s is something special. A track day special in fact. With 300bhp and 330lb/ft of torque, Davie recalls what modifications the car has to give it a more than double standard power output

I have been a VW fan for years and have had several Golf 2.0 TDIs, both standard and remapped versions. My wife runs a Touran 2.0 TDI 170 which I use to tow my Brian James tilt bed trailer to Knockhill racing circuit, our nearest here in Scotland. And the track car which sits on the trailer? That’s a 2000 6N2 Polo GTI. It’s not standard, though…

I bought the Flash Red five-door ‘X’-registered 6N2 Polo GTI in 2010 with 83,000 miles on the clock just after we moved house, as I had to commute back and forth to work. It was certainly no minter but I have had a soft spot for the Polo GTI for years and always wanted one.

It soon became apparent that the gearbox was on its last legs, and after a bit of research, I found out that it was actually on its third gearbox, soured from a diesel Polo! (6N2 Polo GTIs are known to have gearbox issues.) I had toyed with the idea of building a track car, so made the decision then to use it on-track instead.

After sourcing and fitting a CWX gearbox from the 100bhp 16V 6N Polo, Raceland exhaust manifold, cone filter and a set of coilovers, it was ready for its first outing at Knockhill – a 130-mile hike from my home. The Polo was still road legal at this point so I had to be careful when I was out on the track, and couldn’t drive it like I had stolen it as I still had to drive home.

That first track day was really great. The GTI handled really well, even though it was on standard road tyres. I had a few spirited runs against a Golf VR6 and surprisingly the Polo did very well against it on the track. From then on I was hooked!

My second track day was also great fun, until I started to get blown into the weeds on the straights by bigger cars. Knockhill is only 1.3 miles in length and is a ‘power track’, so the Polo was never going to cut it with the big boys. The majority of cars that were attending the track days then were Subarus and Evos.

I made my mind up on the way home that I was going to build something that would put the cat amongst the pigeons and said to my mate Steve, ‘watch this space’. I then totally stripped the Polo including all wiring and interior in preparation for my build. I should have taken more time and thought it out but I was eager to get started on the transformation. I have a double garage at home so I was fortunate to have somewhere to carry out the work, much to the frustration of my understanding wife…

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As journalists start to drive versions of the New Polo, the freshly-minted BlueMotion TDI model has been released for ordering in Germany. Billed as ‘the world’s most economical five-seater in its class’ by Volkswagen, the eco Polo is the latest in a line of miserly VW superminis that started with the original Polo BlueMotion in 2006 (which incidentally launched the BlueMotion brand).

The New Polo BlueMotion TDI isn’t coming to the UK – buyers there will get a new petrol-powered version instead – but its headline figures are impressive. Volkswagen states it is capable of 91mpg (3.1 litres per 100km) and 82g/km of CO2. Powered by a newly-developed three-cylinder diesel engine, the 2014 Polo BlueMotion TDI produces 74bhp and is said to be able to travel 870 miles (1400km) on a single tank of fuel.

As with previous versions, the New Polo BlueMotion TDI achieves its attention-grabbing values by ways of aerodynamic enhancements. A modified underbody, faired-in front grille, and aerodynamically-optimised front and rear spoilers help the New Polo BlueMotion TDI slip through the air more easily. Low rolling resistance tyres aid economy, too.

Unique features of the model include new 15-inch ‘Buenos Aires’ alloy wheels, the ‘Clearwater Blue’ paint finish, while interior comforts include chrome accents, unique ‘Link’ upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear gaiter and handbrake lever, as well as Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system. Cruise control and a Stop/Start system with brake energy recuperation up the New Polo BlueMotion TDI’s ante in the eco stakes, too.

As with all New Polos, a wide range of safety technologies including an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Driver Alert System and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking will be available. Prices for the New Polo BlueMotion TDI start at 16,850 euros for the three-door.

Round two of the 2014 South African National Rally Championship, the Sasol Rally, took place in Nelspruit on 11-12 April, and Volkswagen Sasolracing’s Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin finished the gruelling event in fourth place.

Having a fearsome and tough reputation, the 2014 Sasol Rally certainly lived up to its name. Zulu and Peskin’s Polo S2000 was a victim of multiple punctures – two within the first 10km on day one’s action – but the duo ended the first half of the event in fourth place, a position they would keep up to the finish.

‘The Sasol Rally didn’t smile on us this year,’ said Zulu. ‘We recovered to fourth overnight and I did think we were in with a chance for a podium. It didn’t work out as this event is very unpredictable, but it felt good bringing home the first Volkswagen Sasolracing Polo S2000 at the Sasol Rally.’

Zulu and Peskin’s team-mates Henk Latagen and Barry White were only two places further down the field after the two days and 14 stages were over. ‘This is one of the toughest events I’ve ever done,’ remarked Lategan. ‘Sometimes things were perfect, but three punctures and other issues took their toll. But, we worked hard to make it to the finish, winning stage 11 in the process.’

Meanwhile, Hans Weijs Jnr and Bjorn Degandt finished the event under Super Rally rules on Saturday, claiming three stage victories in the process. Stages 10, 12 and 13 fell to their determined attack at an event the pair regard as a favourite amongst South African rallies.

The rally’s location in Mpumalanga, in the Nelspruit, White River and Sabie areas means a combination of gravel and tar stages. ‘I like these stages a lot,’ said Weijs. ‘Our times were good and it proves we are going in the right direction. I like this event, especially with the conditions. It is a big challenge and a nice event.’

Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport was happy with his team’s result: ‘All of the Volkswagen Sasolracing Polo S2000s were there at the finish, racking up four stage victories in the process. We knew, and were expecting, extremely tough conditions at the Sasol Rally, it is one of the events where experience counts – and I believe that shows, we brought all of our cars home where not every team can claim that achievement.’

Other Sasol Rally Polo finishers included Thilo Himmel and Armand du Toit in their S2000 Challenge car (fifth overall and winner of the class), and Chad van Beurden and Nico Swartz in their S1600. Paulus Franken and Henry Kohne brought the Manitou Polo S1600 home 26th.

AC Potgieter and Tommy du Toit finished 28th in the number 72 Polo S1600, while the Polo S1600 of JemSport’s Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee was unable to complete the event.

The next round of the 2014 South African National Rally Championship is the PMC Rally, which takes place on 23-24 May in Gauteng.

Volkswagen’s Chakan factory in Pune, India has been making saloon versions (called Vento) of the current Polo 6R since 2011 and last week exported the 50,000th example. The milestone model was left-hand drive and was heading for a customer in Mexico. There, the car is known as the Polo Sedan, just as it is in South Africa.

Mexican exports from India started in October 2013, and as well as complete cars, the Pune plant sends Polo and Vento parts and components (CKD kits) overseas. IndianAutosBlog reports that as many as one car in three will be destined for Mexico.

Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India said: ‘The rising demand from Mexico mirrors the positive customer feedback of the Vento. Not only does this success help us in tackling the volatilities in the domestic market, but it also strengthens our export business in a sustainable way. With the success of our highest quality cars in this key market, we can further increase our scope of export to more countries in the near future.’

In related news, Volkswagen India has been busy in its domestic market. A new version of the Vento, the ‘Preferred’ has just gone on sale. Reportedly a 2013 Comfortline-specification model with added extras to clear out stocks, the Vento Preferred additional kit count includes alloy wheels and exterior chrome trim.

There are also side door protectors, sun visors (!), a boot spoiler, ‘Preferred’ badging and a reversing camera system with satellite navigation. Volkswagen India is also offering free roadside assistance for four years, as well as a year’s free insurance. All for Rs 10.74 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

The Vento Preferred is powered by the same 103bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine as other Ventos/Polo Sedans mated to a five-speed gearbox. Vento sales in India have dipped recently from 2049 units in October 2013 to 1191 in February 2014, reports IndianAutosBlog. Base models of both the Vento and Polo 6R hatchback have therefore been dropped accordingly.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

With all the attention focused on the Volkswagen Motorsport Polo R WRC currently contesting the World Rally Championship, let’s not forget the other, even more powerful super-Polo set to rip up the gravel in another high-level of motorsport in 2014 – rallycross.

Sweden’s Anton Marklund drove a 500+bhp Polo Supercar in the FIA European Rallycross Championship last year, and is set to return in 2014, only this time he will be joined by Finland’s Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen in a two-pronged Polo attack.

There’s another change this season, too. The Marklund Motorsport team which will run the team as before will now represent Volkswagen Motorsport, so the Polo Supercars which the young men will drive have official approval. This is partly becuase the series is now the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Yesterday at an even in Stockholm, the covers were pulled off the 2014 Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar and the 2014 livery was seen for the first time. More dynamic-looking than 2013’s car, and with echoes of the Polo R WRC in its predominantly blue and grey colour scheme (with Heikkinen’s car picked out with red highlights and Marklund’s yellow), the 2014 Polo RX looks like it means business.

Speaking to rallycrossrx.com, 23 year-old Heikkinen said: ‘The season will be tough with some well-known racing and rally drivers and there is also the battle between the manufacturers. Our goal is to win the first championship title, but it will be a challenge.’

Anton Marklund commented: ‘It will be good to know that the team will give us every opportunity to reach success. I want to be on the podium this year, and I think myself and Topi will make a strong team.’

Anton Markund’s father and team manager Jan Marklund spoke about their team’s relationship with Volkswagen: ‘The co-operation between Volkswagen Motorsport and Marklund Motorsport has made it possible to develop this car to a totally different level. We are happy for the support we have had from Volkswagen Motorsport in Germany as well as Volkswagen Sweden.’

As well as the two Polo RXs for its team, Marklund Motorsport is also lending support to Andretti Autosport who will run Polo Supercars for its two drivers until its officially-prepared Volkswagen Beetles come on stream later in the season.

The first round of the 2014 World Rallycross Championship is at Montalegre in Portugal on 3-4 May. The UK round of the series hits Lydden Hill Race Circuit in Kent on 24-25 May.

[Source: rallycrossrx.com]