Volkswagen in WRC?

[smolvar]

Isn't Skoda part of VAG (Volkswagon Auto Group)?
I thought Skoda's development and rally spend was the reason we saw VW and Audi go away?

[L5->R5/CR]

I think we'll see VW at the Baja 1000 before a WRC...

[GigiGalliNo1]

Would be good to see another (official manu) team in the WRC no?

Ford, Subaru, Citroen..........Suzuki..

[MikeD]

They said on "Motors TV" yesterday that Audi is on their way out of ALMS/American Le Mans so maybe the VAG group will use their motorsport budget elsewhere?

It's also pretty clear that VAG are no longer interested in trying to enter the Audi brand in F1. They considered buying the Sauber team, but that team is now in the hands of BMW.

This means that Audi only have the original Le Mans race with their V10 diesel, so there must a big un-used budget, which could be used for a WRC program. Would be great to have AUDI back in WRC or to welcome VW.

[wroom]

Just like the VW group entered WRC with SEAT and Skoda.. They just don't seem to be in it for the long term, which is a shame. The series desperately needs another serious manufacturer or two.

[Tom206wrc]

...
This means that Audi only have the original Le Mans race with their V10 diesel,...

No !! It's a V12 TDI !! :

[Karbonyl]

Just like the VW group entered WRC with SEAT and Skoda.. They just don't seem to be in it for the long term, which is a shame. The series desperately needs another serious manufacturer or two.

I would say that 8 or 10 years ago there was not the sport strategy of VAG as clear as today. I could imagine VW in WRC, so that the structure would be the same as in the rest of the concern:

Circuits: Audi (top level prototypes), Seat (race cars such as WTCC)
Rally: Volkswagen (top level WRC), Skoda (S2000 for masses :-) )

[jparker]

I would say that 8 or 10 years ago there was not the sport strategy of VAG as clear as today. I could imagine VW in WRC, so that the structure would be the same as in the rest of the concern:

Circuits: Audi (top level prototypes), Seat (race cars such as WTCC)
Rally: Volkswagen (top level WRC), Skoda (S2000 for masses :-) )

Are you saying that Skoda will not continue in WRC in the future?

[TheFlyingTuga]

I would say that 8 or 10 years ago there was not the sport strategy of VAG as clear as today. I could imagine VW in WRC, so that the structure would be the same as in the rest of the concern:

Circuits: Audi (top level prototypes), Seat (race cars such as WTCC)
Rally: Volkswagen (top level WRC), Skoda (S2000 for masses :-) )

Yep, you're right! You just missed Lamborghini (GT car for masses)

But, if the VAG Group strategy was well defined untill now:
Audi (Top Level Resistance)
Lambo (GT Classes)
Seat (Touring Cars)
Skoda (Rallying)
VW (RallyRaid)

now, its a bit confusing, because, if Skoda will make a rally car for masses, and I think that is a good project, and VW going to rally (hipotectaly) who in the group is defending their colours in the desert sand? Maybe they realized that Dakar and Rally Raid is "property" of Mitsu!

Cheers

[L5->R5/CR]

Yep, you're right! You just missed Lamborghini (GT car for masses)

But, if the VAG Group strategy was well defined untill now:
Audi (Top Level Resistance)
Lambo (GT Classes)
Seat (Touring Cars)
Skoda (Rallying)
VW (RallyRaid)

now, its a bit confusing, because, if Skoda will make a rally car for masses, and I think that is a good project, and VW going to rally (hipotectaly) who in the group is defending their colours in the desert sand? Maybe they realized that Dakar and Rally Raid is "property" of Mitsu!

Cheers

I'm not sure how VW is percieved in Europe, or the world, but in the US they need help.

Their cars are percieved as mundane, pedestrian, and boring. They are for the khaki clad, suburban, YUPs, and highschool girls. Their line lacks excitement, appeal, and sporting interests and many younger buyers have a very negative view of their products in terms of styling, reliability, and performance.

VW may need a kick in the pants in more than one market, WRC might be a good way to start doing that...