Volkswagen Motorsport has revealed the car that will defend their title as World Rallycross Champions. The 570hp four wheel drive powerhouse has a new look and an optimized aerodynamic that Volkswagen R and PSRX Volkswagen Sweden Team predicts will again dominate the WRX season this year.

With reigning Rallycross world champion Johan Kristoffersson and team owner and Rallycross superstar Petter Solberg watching on, the new Polo R Supercar was unveiled by Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets, PSRX team principal Pernilla Solberg and Jost Capito, managing director of Volkswagen R.

“The most important changes compared to last year’s model have been made at the front of the car,” explained Fabrice van Ertvelde, technical project manager for Volkswagen in the WRX.

“The engine cooling, which is a particularly sensitive area in Rallycross races, has been redesigned, with emphasis on aerodynamics. This will make the 2018 Polo R Supercar far more efficient,” added van Ertvelde.

A second important aspect was the design of a new rear wing, which creates more downforce and allows a wide range of new set-up options. There has also been a lot of attention to detail when further developing what goes on under the bonnet of the Polo, in order to be ideally equipped for the short, close and spectacular races in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

The FIA World Rallycross Championship is held over twelve rounds on three continents. The season gets underway in Barcelona (E) on 14/15 April and ends with the grand finale in Cape Town (SA) on 24/25 November.

The WRX circus travels to the re-designed circuit in Silverstone (GB) for the first time, while the race in Austin marks the series’ first outing in the USA. 15 cars and drivers are currently registered for the top class, the RX Supercar Series.

They include big names from the world of motorsport, including the Volkswagen drivers Petter Solberg and world champion Johan Kristoffersson as well as rally star Sébastien Loeb and DTM champion Mattias Ekström.