[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[dimviii]

VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT IS DUE TO BEGIN TESTING A WORLD RALLY CAR INCORPORATING NEW-FOR-2017 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS THIS MONTH, WRC.COM UNDERSTANDS.
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The German squad will be the first manufacturer to test a car featuring the exciting new-generation rules, the outline principles for which were given the green light by the FIA last month.
Double world champion Marcus Grönholm will drive the car when testing starts. It is believed that up to two weeks’ work is planned before the end of the year, with the Finn responsible for most of that.
Neither Grönholm nor Volkswagen Motorsport director Jost Capito would comment on the plans, but it is believed the test car will be a modified 2015 Polo R WRC, fitted with bodywork complying with the 2017 rules.
It is understood it could be the second quarter of next year before Volkswagen is ready to test a full 2017-specification car.
Grönholm, who inked a deal to join Volkswagen 12 months ago as a test driver, will be involved in the development of the new car both this year and in 2016.

An artist's impression how a 2017 World Rally Car could look
“Volkswagen’s event drivers will be busy testing the current Polo in preparation for rallies this year, so Grönholm will play a big role now and especially next year,” a source told wrc.com.
Following the FIA’s acceptance of the principles, it is expected the final regulations will be approved by the World Motor Sport Council later this year.
A striking aggressive look via a new aerodynamic package which includes a bigger rear wing, and engine power raised to 380bhp are the headline changes.
Cars will be bigger due to a 55mm increase in permitted width and a greater overhang at the front and rear, electronically-controlled centre differentials will return and they will be 25kg lighter.
The changes will be the biggest since the current technical rules were introduced in 2011, but FIA chiefs stress they are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...medium=twitter

[Allyc85]

Great to read about the funding being in place for Rally GB

Bloody ominous for the rest of the WRC field to see VW testing so early for 2017!! Looking forward to having a better idea of how the new cars will look!

[Eli]

Any info on when the complete calendar will be revealed? So far I think only Monte Carlo (18-24th of January) and Sweden (11-14th of February) are sure of their exact dates.

should be in the next WSMC meeting held on the 30th of september

[Eli]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120271 Paddon to drive the #8 hyundai in australia

[Ounin]

VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT IS DUE TO BEGIN TESTING A WORLD RALLY CAR INCORPORATING NEW-FOR-2017 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS THIS MONTH, WRC.COM UNDERSTANDS.
ADVERTISING



The German squad will be the first manufacturer to test a car featuring the exciting new-generation rules, the outline principles for which were given the green light by the FIA last month.
Double world champion Marcus Grönholm will drive the car when testing starts. It is believed that up to two weeks’ work is planned before the end of the year, with the Finn responsible for most of that.
Neither Grönholm nor Volkswagen Motorsport director Jost Capito would comment on the plans, but it is believed the test car will be a modified 2015 Polo R WRC, fitted with bodywork complying with the 2017 rules.
It is understood it could be the second quarter of next year before Volkswagen is ready to test a full 2017-specification car.
Grönholm, who inked a deal to join Volkswagen 12 months ago as a test driver, will be involved in the development of the new car both this year and in 2016.

An artist's impression how a 2017 World Rally Car could look
“Volkswagen’s event drivers will be busy testing the current Polo in preparation for rallies this year, so Grönholm will play a big role now and especially next year,” a source told wrc.com.
Following the FIA’s acceptance of the principles, it is expected the final regulations will be approved by the World Motor Sport Council later this year.
A striking aggressive look via a new aerodynamic package which includes a bigger rear wing, and engine power raised to 380bhp are the headline changes.
Cars will be bigger due to a 55mm increase in permitted width and a greater overhang at the front and rear, electronically-controlled centre differentials will return and they will be 25kg lighter.
The changes will be the biggest since the current technical rules were introduced in 2011, but FIA chiefs stress they are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...medium=twitter

Ah well, here is a proof that VW is doing their homework properly. You can assume this from a Championship team but still, here is a solid confirmation again. What is the rest doing ... It differences from saying "we have a veeeery good car and regular drivers are shit we want Neuville" to "we want a WRC rally in China and have to decide" to "Finnish cash party at Tommi's" to "hope Thierry likes the i20" ... The rest sticks to the short term, VW is stable and thinks ahead.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cant wait to see the first shots of (Gronholm testing) the '2017 VW' ... will be great to get a proper idea of how the future cars might look, as opposed to that terrible mock-up on WRC.com !

[giu canbera]

Then booom. The new car is just like the current one but 10cm wider... :P haha cant wait

[Barreis]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120301

[Eli]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120317 Network Q returns to Wales Rally GB to sponsor National event.

[Mirek]

Then booom. The new car is just like the current one but 10cm wider... :P haha cant wait

I still doubt they would go for the max width. In my opinion it's practical only for asphalt of Catalunya or wide gravel events like NORF. How will they deal with ruts on snow from gr.N and small cars? By using crazy wheels sunk deep in the wheel arches? How about narrow apshalt roads of German wineyards or Corsican mountains, how about narrow bridges of El Condor etc.?