VW unveil 2015 WRC contender

According to Volkswagen, the second generation Polo R WRC is a new car with a new look, but the driving lineup will remain much the same, with defending champions Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia once again pairing up. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene complete the factory team for 2015.

"The new Polo R WRC has undergone intense further development, both on the inside and the outside," said Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neuscher, Volkswagen Board Member for Technical Development.

"Not only does it look even more dynamic and sporty than it did before, but our engineers have also been working meticulously on technical innovations under the bonnet and have improved many detailed aspects of the package that has been so successful for the past two years. The focus of this further development was on efficiency, reliability and performance."

While working within the parameters of the WRC technical regulations, VW engineers have implemented a number of new ideas, the most notable of which is an hydraulically-activated gearbox, operated via a shift paddle on the steering column. In addition, VW says that three quarters of last year's components were checked and many of them optimised, with the aim of making everything "simpler, lighter, and stronger".

Externally, the 2015 Polo R WRC is identified by a new dark-blue/light-blue/white colour scheme, replacing the white/light-blue of last season, as well as a "towering" new rear wing and repositioned signage for the team's sponsors: Red Bull; Castrol; Volkswagen Financial Services; Michelin; ZF Sachs; and OMP.

The 2015 WRC season kicks off with the Rally Monte Carlo from 22 - 25 January, which will have extra spice this year, thanks to the return of nine-time champion, Sebastien Loeb, in a one-off drive in Citroen's newest DS 3 WRC contender.