Go-fast versions of three of the best-selling small cars in Europe have created a new interest in the World Rally Championship, now the main event is restricted to turbocharged 1.6-litre flyers.
The 1.6-litre class of small car is the biggest seller in Europe, one reason why Mini and Volkswagen have
re-entered rallying to battle Ford's new Fiesta.
Ford and Mini have already given their cars a workout, Mini for the first time last weekend at the Rally Italia, in Sardinia.
VW unveiled its WRC Polo R - a 225kW four-wheel-drive version of the road car - before the event.
VW had intended to enter a car based on the Scirocco, but it didn't fit within the WRC's width rules.
The WRC Polo previews a forthcoming hot Polo R and carries a full aerodynamic bodykit and mammoth rear wing. The race-spec hatch will use a turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engine. "The new technical regulations of the World Rally Championship are an ideal fit for Volkswagen's philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles," said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, VW board member for its development division.
Rally watchers aren't writing off VW - it's won the last three stagings of the Dakar Rally. Its entry into the WRC series signals the end of its Dakar campaign.
BMW marketing chief Ian Robertson said the WRC was the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of Mini.
"Experience is a very important factor in motorsport," he said. "It is essential we learn as much as possible within a very short time, in order to make up ground on our rivals.
"The new regulations mean the gap to the top is smaller than it would have been at another time. We want to annoy the opposition as soon as possible."
Ford's four-wheel drive WRC challenger was developed from the 2010 Monte Carlo Rally-winning Fiesta S2000 car by Ford's British-based partner M-Sport.
Ford technical director Christian Loriaux said the team had not compromised on anything.
"We obtained plenty of data from the standard Fiesta road car, and the S2000. We re-evaluated every area and if we thought certain areas could be improved, we went ahead and did so," he said.
The WRC is acknowledged as the toughest form of motorsport for production-based cars.
The WRC newbies - Small cars, big power
Ford's Fiesta RS WRC contender.
Go-fast versions of three of the best-selling small cars in Europe have created a new interest in the World Rally Championship, now the main event is restricted to turbocharged 1.6-litre flyers.
The 1.6-litre class of small car is the biggest seller in Europe, one reason why Mini and Volkswagen have
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