Motorsport Information

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (WRC)

TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION PACKAGE

Contents 02

Contents

GALLERY

03
Engagements

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (WRC)

06 11 12 19 21 26 31 34 37

 TECHNOLOGY

At a glance

The Polo R WRC

The Polo R WRC in detail

Interview with Willy Rampf

Interview with FX Demaison

Facts and figures

VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT

Engagements

For media

Gallery 03

Dynamic

The Volkswagen Polo R WRC lines up with a host of modifications including a new design

Gallery 04

Hunted

Volkswagen is defending champion in all three classifications within the World Rally Championship

Gallery 05

In focus

Nowhere are fans closer to the action than in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Engagements 06

THE PROJECT: TITLE DEFENCE

Drivers Championship, Co-Drivers Championship, Manufacturers Championship Volkswagen lines up as defending champion in all three categories of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). As such, the chasing pack will have their sights trained on Ogier and Co. at all 13 rallies in the 2014 season

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Engagements 07

rom hunter to hunted: the project to defend the Volkswagen teams hat-trick of titles in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) kicked off with the Rally Monte Carlo. 13 rallies on four continents on gravel, asphalt, ice and snow. The French pairing of Sbastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia will be in action from January to November, as they bid to defend their World Championship titles in both the Driver and Co-Driver classifications with Volkswagen. Together with team-mates JariMatti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/ FIN), they are also the team to beat

We approach the task in hand with the greatest respect, maximum concentration and absolute commitment.

in the Manufacturers Championship, in which they can count on support from Andreas Mikkelsen/ Mikko Markkula (N/FIN). We line up with the number 1 on a Polo R WRC this season, said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. That honour is reserved for the World Champion, and is something we

are very proud of. However, that does not mean that we will be presumptuous or complacent at the rallies. We approach the task in hand with the greatest respect, maximum concentration and absolute commitment. It is easier to win a World Championship title than it is to successfully defend it. But precisely that is our goal. Each rally will give us an indica-

Splash! The World Rally Championship opens on ice and snow in Monte Carlo and ends in the mud and water of Great Britain

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Engagements 08

The team to beat Sbastien Ogier, Motorsport Director Jost Capito and Jari-Matti Latvala (bottom right) start with the numbers one and two on their cars

tion of how we compare to the new and new-look opposition. We are looking forward to it.

Tried-and-tested team vs. new challengers Three Polo R WRCs and a proven sextet: Volkswagen lines up in the 2014 WRC with an unchanged team of Sbastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, Jari-Matti Latvala/ Miikka Anttila and Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula. It will, however face a new opponent and some old foes who have rung the changes: Kris Meeke and Mads stberg will drive for Citron, who have won the Man-

ufacturers World Championship on eight occasions, including five titles in a row. Among those racing for M-Sport are Mikko Hirvonen and former Formula One driver Robert Kubica. Hyundai returns to the World Rally Championship as a manufacturer in 2014, and lines up with last years

runner-up Thierry Neuville as its number one driver.

Tried-and-tested calendar, plus new territory for the WRC The World Rally Championship will visit 13 countries on four con-

Rising star Andreas Mikkelsen in the number nine Polo R WRC

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Engagements 09

In hot pursuit The World Rally Championship is broadcast around the world on TV

tinents in 2014. On the agenda: a dozen tried-and-tested venues that graced the calendar in 2013, and one newcomer instead of the Rally Greece, the WRC circus takes its battle for World Championship points to Poland. The season kicked off with a genuine classic the iconic Rally Monte Carlo. This was followed in Europe by the Rallies in Sweden and Portugal, as well as events in Italy, Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain over the course of the season. The teams also travel to Mexico in North America and Argentina in South America. Another real highlight

comes at the Rally Australia on the fifth continent.

Tried-and-tested format, new rules A tried-and-tested format with new rules the 2014 World Rally Championship sees the introduction of a number of new features for fans and competitors alike. The hitherto existing qualifying at gravel rallies has been scrapped. Instead, the cars will start according to the standings in the World Championship on day one, with the overall leader first onto the

route. Detailed amendments have also been made to the rules, which allow competitors to return to action after a retirement under Rally-2 regulations. The itineraries of each round of the World Championship are to be standardised over the course of the season. In the future, rallies will open with the starting ceremony on the Thursday and finish with the final special stage around midday on the Sunday. The final stage will also always form the Power Stage, which is broadcast live on TV, and on which bonus points are up for grabs for the three fastest drivers. //

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Engagements 10

2014 Calendar, FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

14/0119/01/2014 05/0208/02/2014 06/0309/03/2014 03/0406/04/2014 08/0511/05/2014 06/0608/06/2014 27/0629/06/2014 01/0803/08/2014 22/0824/08/2014 12/0914/09/2014 03/1005/10/2014 24/1026/10/2014 14/1116/11/2014

Rally Monte Carlo Rally Sweden Rally Mexico Rally Portugal Rally Argentina Rally Italy Rally Poland Rally Finland Rally Germany Rally Australia Rally France Rally Spain Rally Great Britain

Asphalt/snow Ice & snow Gravel Gravel Gravel Gravel Gravel Gravel Asphalt Gravel Asphalt Gravel/asphalt Gravel

Fan-friendly Spectators can watch the mechanics work their magic in the Volkswagen service area

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) At a glance 11

News from the Volkswagen team NETWORKED:

MORE THAN 3,000,000 FANS OF VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT ON FACEBOOK olkswagens success also transcends to social networks. The Motorsports presence on Web 2.0 platforms has proven hugely popular with fans and the media. The number of Likes on the Facebook network broke the 3,000,000 mark at Rally Portugal, while around 25,000 fans follow the live reporting on Twitter. WRC reports are not only available on Facebook and Twitter, but also on YouTube. You can find links to these services on page 37.

PENNED:
THE BOOK TO ACCOMPANY THE WRC YEAR

ACCOMPLISHED:
LONGEST WINNING STREAK IN WRC HISTORY

n 16th January, Sbastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassias title-winning season in the Driver and Co-Driver categories of the World Rally Championship was captured forever with the release of the book From Nought to World Champion. Authors Christian Schn and Bodo Krling, together with top photographers Daniel Roeseler and Richrd Blint, take a stunning 192-page look at last years motorsport fairy tale.

ictory for Sbastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia at Rally Portugal marked the eighth consecutive triumph for the Polo R WRC. This sees Volkswagen equal the longest winning run in the history of the World Rally Championship. The team won in Australia, France, Spain and Great Britain in 2013, and has since added victories in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico and Portugal this season. The record was previously held by WRC rival Citron, who achieved the same feat in 2011. After just 17 outings for the Polo R WRC in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg has now equalled that record.

Successful Web 2.0 presence: the Volkswagen Motorsport Facebook page

Technology the Polo R WRC 12

A LOVE OF DETAIL, IN 3,300 PARTS

The Polo R WRC takes efficiency to the max

Beautiful and quick the Polo R WRC for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

Technology the Polo R WRC 13

teel, aluminium and carbon in its most efficient form the Volkswagen Polo R WRC for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The 3,000 individual parts that make up the chassis, together with the engines 300 components, have been cleverly thought through on several technological levels. A combination of absolute reliability, consistent lightweight construction, outstanding ease of service, and impressive performance was instrumental in the 315-hp (232 kW) World Rally Car from Wolfsburg winning all three World Championship titles on its debut in 2013. With this years mission to defend the hat-trick of titles, the new Polo R WRC features a number of detailed improvements in 2014. The four wheel-drive powerhouse will once again have to prove itself in the face of a wide range of adversities.

Under the bonnet small details make all the difference between the 2014 and 2013 models

A car for all conditions a diverse range of challenges Flat-out and close to the road on smooth tarmac one minute, drifting sideways over ice and snow the next, and bounding over raw gravel shortly after not to mention scorching heat here and freezing cold there. No other top motorsport championship offers such a vast range of climatic conditions and surfaces. Whether being flung round tight hairpins on one of the many snake-like stages or subjected to a stress test on full-throttle sections with

jumps of up to 60 metres a World Rally Car must be able to master any terrain. The fundamental desire to get from A to B as quickly as physically possible is in its DNA.

Made possible by clever solutions The details behind the performance Volkswagens World Rally Car is based on the road-going model and namesake of the Polo R WRC. The homologated model provides the basis for the body

Technology the Polo R WRC 14

shell, which the regulations stipulate must not be altered for use in the WRC. The bonnet and tailgate also come from the production model, with the only modification being the striking air inlet holes, which are assembled subsequently. The Polo R WRC for the World Rally Championship, whose body shell rolls off the assembly line at the Volkswagen plant in Pamplona, has also been broadened to the maximum 1,820 millimetres permitted by

the WRC regulations. From an aerodynamic point of view, wider fenders, the expansive rear wing, front and rear skirts, and a partially encased undercarriage ensure the best possible airflow around the car. Permanent four wheel-drive uses mechanical multi-disc, self-locking differential on the front and rear axle to convert the World Rally Cars 315 hp into drive. Perfect contact with the road is not only ensured by the Michelin tyres 18-inch for asphalt and 15-inch for gravel, ice and

snow but also by the sophisticated independent suspension. For example, the ZF damper and spring units are key to the perfect set-up of the chassis. In combination with the maps for the traction and compression phases, the engineers can then, in theory, select from 92,160 different set-up variants. Under the bonnet, a 1.6-litre straight-four turbo engine, in line with the Global Race Engine Concept, generates 315 hp, which is efficiently limited in accordance with regulations by

Time taken to replace a rear skirt? One and a half minutes

Technology the Polo R WRC 15

an air restrictor. The straightfour engine with turbocharger and intercooling inhales its air through an opening of just 33 millimetres. This would be comparable to a top athlete running the 100 metres whilst breathing through a snorkel. And yet it still manages to achieve impressive figures: the 315 hp (232 kW) are achieved at 6,250 rpm, with the maximum torque of 425 Nm at 5,000 rpm. A sophisticated anti-lag system minimises the so-called turbo lag at low engine speeds, and produces the distinctive staccato crack, which can be heard for miles around. The Polo R WRC accelerates from nought

to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Depending on the transmission ratio, the top speed is around 200 km/h.

Thats all it takes service times

Change tyres: 1 minute per tyre

Fit to go in a matter of minutes the service-friendly Polo R WRC The engineers and technicians in the World Rally Championship have only a very limited amount of time to repair and maintain the World Rally Cars. As a rule, a normal rally day includes a 15-minute service in the morning, a 30-minute service at midday, and a 45-minute service in the

Change gearbox: 12 minutes Change shock absorbers: 3 minutes per damper/ spring unit Adjust steering: 1 minute 30 seconds Change front skirt: 1 minute Change rear skirt: 1 minute 30 seconds Attach additional headlights (night face): 2 minutes Replace headlight: 1 minute

Let there be light the night face consists of four additional headlights for night stages

Replace wishbone: 4 minutes Replace brake pads and discs: 3 minutes

Technology the Polo R WRC 16

Evolution in small steps changes for the 2014 season

Joker #1: piston rods Joker #2: reinforcement of engine and gearbox Joker #3: ramp angle of front-axle differential Joker #4: ramp angle of rear-axle differential Joker #5: front wishbone (asphalt version) Joker #6: rear subframe Joker #7: rear wishbone (asphalt version) Joker #8: rear wishbone (gravel version) Joker #9: separate system for rear-axle differential Free Joker: software

evening. When it comes to ensuring the rally cars are sent back out on their journey in the best possible condition, despite the enormous stresses and strains they are subjected to on the special stages, every second counts. As well as the well-oiled Volkswagen team, Sbastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsens technicians can also count on the service-friendly design of the Polo R WRC. It takes less than 60 seconds to change the wheels, while the gearbox can be replaced in under twelve minutes. In order to guarantee seamless and perfectly coordinated services, Volkswagen turned to the experience of its mechanics when developing the Polo R WRC as well as the performance and durability of the individual components, this is an extremely important criterion when it comes to efficiency.

Detailed improvements the engineers played ten so-called Jokers for the 2014 version of the Polo R WRC

Technology the Polo R WRC 17

Modified for absolute reliability New details for 2014 The Polo R WRC was the subject of detailed improvements ahead of the 13 rallies that make up the 2014 season. In making these modifications, the Volkswagen engineers were subject to very strict restrictions. The manufacturers involved in the 2013 World Rally Championship had agreed not to homologate any new World Rally Cars for the 2014 season. That left Volkswagen with very little room to play with within the regulations. This game played under strict rules did, for example, allow changes to some components to be made on a quarterly or free basis. In 2014, newly developed ZF dampers will be in use. Furthermore, Volkswagen was allowed to play ten so-called Jokers, which allow a manufacturer to modify the components in question so that they differ to the specifications in the homologation documents. The Jokers were played mainly to further improve the durability of the Polo R WRC. The World Rally Car from Wolfsburg proved itself to be hugely reliable in 2013. Over the course of the entire season, the Volkswagen engineers

registered not a single retirement due to a technical fault. The use of the Jokers is aimed at reducing the number of retirements caused

by aggressive driving for example, by fitting reinforced chassis components. //

One of the features of the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg in 2013 was its extraordinary reliability.

Choosing the right tyres is a science in itself. There is a choice of four tyre types in the Monte. For all other rallies, there is a choice between two tyres

Technology the Polo R WRC 18

Volkswagen Polo R WRC Technical specifications

Engine Type Displacement Power output Torque Bore/stroke Air restrictor Engine control unit Power transmission Gearbox Final drive Clutch Chassis/suspension Front/rear Suspension travel Steering Braking system Wheels Tyres Chassis/bodywork Build Dimensions and weight Length/width/height Track width Wheelbase Minimum weight Performance Acceleration Top speed

Straight-four engine with turbocharger and intercooling, transversally mounted in front of the front axle 1,600 cc 232 kW (315 hp) at 6,250 rpm 425 Nm at 5,000 rpm 83,0 mm/73,8 mm 33 mm (FIA regulation) Bosch

Sequential, six-speed racing gear box, transversally mounted Permanent four-wheel drive with fixed drive between the front and rear axles, multi-plate limited-slip differentials, front and rear Hydraulically actuated double-disk sintered metal clutch from ZF

McPherson struts, dampers from ZF approx. 180 mm on tarmac, approx. 275 mm on gravel Servo-assisted rack and pinion steering Ventilated disc brakes (front 355 mm on tarmac; front and rear 300 mm on gravel) aluminium brake callipers (four callipers, front and rear) Size 8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel Michelin competition tyres (tarmac: 20/65-18 (235/40-R18), gravel: 17/65-15 (215/60-R15), spikes: 15/65-15 (195/70-R15))

FIA-conformant reinforced steel body

3,976/1,820/1,356 mm 1,610 mm 2,480 mm 1,200 kg

0100 km/h in approx. 3.9 seconds Up to approx. 200 km/h (depending on gear ratio)

Technology the Polo R WRC 19

The Polo R WRC in detail

Aerodynamics: hard into the wind Polished down to the finest detail and enormously important: when jumping as far as 60 metres, this defines the flight characteristics

Engine: the cars 315 hp beating heart 1,600 cm engine displacement, 83.0 mm bore, 73.8 mm stroke, 33 mm air restrictors the corset hiding 315 brake horse power and 425 Nm torque

Chassis: the safe working area A roll cage made of high-tensile airplane-grade steel protects the drivers in case of a pitfall. The carbon bucket seats are customized to the body dimensions of the individual drivers and co-drivers just like a ski boot and are similarly tightly secured thanks to a six-point driving belt

Tyres: maximum grip What is the World Rally Cars only point of contact with the racing surface? The four tyres. Michelin supplies two different compounds for each race and the drivers must decide which to choose

Bodywork: the perfect platform 2,500 Polo R WRC parts were built for the road and serve as the base of the World Rally Car

Vibration-proof: the undercarriage The extremely light monotube shock absorbers from ZF Friedrichshafen, spring up to five times faster than their production-line counterparts

Technology the Polo R WRC 20

The Polo R WRC in detail

Central display This informs the driver of everything he needs to know about the condition of the Polo R WRC such as pressures and temperatures Steering wheel, rotary switch Left: five different engine maps; Right: light

Co-driver display The most important information for the co-driver is displayed here (pressures/temperatures)

Steering wheel, buttons on left Yellow: windscreen wiper; Red: Start engine/start control

Steering wheel, buttons on right Green: full beam and night face headlights; Red: sets km counter to zero; Yellow: Marks data recording (in case of special events)

Co-driver control panel Start buttons for ignition and engine, settings for windshield ventilation and heating, horn and milometer

Technology Interview with Willy Rampf 21

AGILITY, RELIABILITY AND EASE OF SERVICE

An interview with Technical Director, Willy Rampf
The mind behind the efficiency Willy Rampf

Technology Interview with Willy Rampf 22

illy Rampf, Technical Director of Volkswagen Motorsport, regards his daily goal as to be the fastest. This applies to the cars built under his leadership, and for the development itself. His motto: Any mistakes you do not rule out 100 per cent, are 100 per cent guaranteed to reoccur. Rampf joined the team in 2011. In an interview, he discusses freedom, innovation and rally highlights.

Technology Interview with Willy Rampf 23

Total freedom, or creativity within strict limitations what appeals most to a motorsport engineer?
Given the chance, I believe ten out of ten engineers would select total freedom, because that is most interesting at rst glance. However, that would probably be unaffordable in motorsport. As such, designing a car within strict boundaries makes the most sense. That kind of regulation applies to all the competitors. This means that wherever the creative minds and best engineers are at work, that is also where the best technological solutions are developed. The challenge for the engineers is to be just as grand within a restricted environment.

grip is to a World Rally Car. That means that we engineers are essentially striving for optimal handling on different surfaces and in different weather conditions.

What three keywords best describe what is so special about a World Rally Car, and why?
The drivers would prefer to have a car that responds to the slightest of changes to the steering wheel or gas pedal. In plain language, they want it to be agile so agility is a keyword. Reliability is a big issue, as the World Rally Championship is held on four continents, on gravel, asphalt, ice and snow. So, you have to be reliable in all these conditions. The third major attribute for a World Rally Car is ease of service. We spend a lot of time considering how we can make

What is the big challenge for a technician in the World Rally Championship?
The performance of a WRC car is heavily dependent on the mechanical design. As such, the suspension and the chassis play a hugely important role. What aerodynamics is to a Formula One car, mechanical

every single component as quick to replace as possible. For example, it takes just twelve minutes to change the gearbox on the Polo R WRC.

Keeping a sharp eye on proceedings like the design, quality assurance also plays a major role in the World Rally Championship

Technology Interview with Willy Rampf 24

With this in mind, are the mechanics involved in the development of a World Rally Car?
Denitely. Simple example: if a mechanic tells us that you cannot reach one point or another with a spanner, then there is absolutely no point in completing the design of that component. If you need ve hands for something, then it is a no go you cannot t that many mechanics under the car. Mechanics and engineers work hand in hand. And that is working out just ne.

Which areas of the Polo R WRC are particularly innovative?

We gave a lot of thought to the chassis, and how we could generate as much mechanical grip as possible. A lot of innovative thinking went into this aspect of the Polo R WRC. We have advanced this signicantly for 2014. However, a lot of engineering also went into the engine. It boasts excellent driveability and is extremely reliable.

Technology Interview with Willy Rampf 25

What philosophy did you pursue with the Polo R WRC?

Right from the outset, the goal was to design the car for maximum performance. It is easier to make a quick car reliable than a reliable car quick. Once you have a quick car, you can get a lot out of it with some serious engineering spirit and intense work. However, if you end up with a stable car but the concept comes up short in terms of performance, then it is hardly possible to extract any extra performance once the homologation is complete. The possibilities for change within the WRC regulations are too few. For this reason, our philosophy was to give performance top priority.

On-site, engineers also have to take on the role of problem solvers.

One of your maxims is Any mistakes you do not rule out 100 per cent, are 100 per cent guaranteed to reoccur. How much work did you have to put into the 2014 version of the Polo R WRC in this regard?
The dimensions and contours are measured, and We applied precisely this maxim when working to correct the mistakes that occurred last year. When a part breaks, you could just say that it happened once now, so it will probably never happen again in the future. In our opinion, this is the wrong approach. We asked ourselves what we needed to do to ensure that an error never occurs again even if it was just a seemingly trivial issue. the surfaces and durability are checked. At the same time, parts are constantly being sacriced destroyed deliberately in order to prove their resilience and quality. However, the majority of checks take place without any destruction by using X-ray or ultrasound, for example. Most of that is carried out by our colleagues in Wolfsburg.

Which is your favourite rally on the calendar? Quality assurance plays a major role in motorsport. What processes does Volkswagen have in place for the World Rally Championship in this regard?
Every component that is manufactured or supplied must go through a quality control process. Thats easy: Portugal. It was the most exciting rally last year, because it was the toughest for all the material. The engineers had to step up to the mark and solve problems there. As a rule, however, we quite like it to be boring. //

Technology Interview with Franois-Xavier Demaison 26

OUR DRIVERS ALWAYS WANT TO PUSH

In conversation with FX Demaison the father of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC

On hand to answer questions FX Demaison

Technology Interview with Franois-Xavier Demaison 27

Successful team World Champion Sbastien Ogier with World Champion FX Demaison

ranois-Xavier FX Demaison, Technical Project Leader for the WRC at Volkswagen, has been involved in the World Rally Championship for ten years. As such, he arrived in the Volkswagen team with a wealth of WRC experience. He saw the opportunity in Wolfsburg and Hannover to take responsibility for the project, from the initial

sketches to the World Championship title. And he has done precisely that since 2011. In an interview, the creator of the Polo R WRC chats about new developments, new opponents and new challenges.

Technology Interview with Franois-Xavier Demaison 28

A critical eye FX Demaison knows every detail of the Polo R WRC

You are known as the father of the Polo R WRC, and now you actually have twins the 2013 World Championship-winning car and the new 2014 version. How can you tell the difference between the two?
It is actually not that easy. The most obvious thing is probably the new design. Under the bonnet, the 2014 version is a more durable variant of the 2013 Polo R WRC, with many areas more stable and reliable. The asphalt and gravel versions each have reinforced suspension parts, and a number of drive components have also been modied. rienced a few setbacks last year due to the drivers aggressive driving style something which is often a necessity if youre aiming for a win. However, if JariMatti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen in Finland, and Sbastien Ogier in Germany, had already had the reinforced components on their cars, they might still have reached the nish. On top of that were a few less obvious issues, which we wanted to solve with new components. We wanted to make the Polo R WRC

Volkswagen had no retirement as a result of a technical issue in 2013 why was reliability such a major issue?
First of all, our drivers always want to push hard perhaps even more so in 2014 than in 2013. We expe-

more bulletproof. And we obviously also wanted to make our mechanics lives a little easier at the rallies.

There was a limited number of Jokers, which in turn restricted the options available for making

Technology Interview with Franois-Xavier Demaison 29

any far-reaching changes to the Polo R WRC. How did you weigh up the pros and cons of the individual modifications?
We held a number of discussions with Technical Director Willy Rampf on this topic. As a result of the limited number of Jokers, we opted for the more reliable variant. Once you have played a Joker, there is no going back you have to use the modied components as they are. There are only a few changes that affect the performance itself. For example, we now have more set-up options in one or two areas.

As a result of the limited number of Jokers, we opted for the more reliable variant. Once you have played a Joker, there is no going back.

To what extent has the Polo R WRC been modified to suit the preferences and driving styles of the three drivers?
Our top two drivers, Sbastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala, have fundamentally different driving styles. Sb is always looking for the shortest route between corners, while Jari-Matti likes to throw his car sideways along the road. Sb had the advantage of a years testing, and adjusted the Polo R WRC to suit his driving style. When Jari-Matti joined us at the end of 2012, he initially wanted to modify the Polo R WRC to meet his requirements. However, it turned out that Sbs driving style is the quicker of the two so Jari-Matti gradually adapted his style to this central European style. That is not something you can do overnight. helped us a lot. Partners like ZF play a key role. And shock absorbers are very important in the World Rally Championship. However, you can say exactly the same about Michelin and tyres, for example, as well as our other technical partners.

What role have the individual technical partners played? For example, the Polo R WRC has new shock absorbers
We developed a new damper for this year, and the wealth of experience and knowledge of ZF really

How difficult will it be to defend the title from a technicians point of view?
It is always harder to defend the title than it is to win it in the first place. I think we surprised

Technology Interview with Franois-Xavier Demaison 30

A labour of love the Polo R WRC is the first World Rally Car, for which Demaison has had full responsibility

a lot of people last year and caught some off their guard. Many, including ourselves, did not expect us to be challenging from the word go and throughout the entire season. We are now the team that everyone wants to beat. It is easy to lose concentration and make a silly mistake, or to take things lightly. You can soon lose a rally or the World Championship that way. Everyone in the team has to be hungry for success mechanics, engineers and drivers.

Compared to last year, how strong do you expect the opposition old and new to be?
I am taking every single one of our opponents seriously. They could easily do to us what we did to them last season. I refer primarily to Hyundai there. Citron and Ford also line up with new drivers, and are also determined to beat us. 2014 will definitely not be easy for us, and we will not rest on our laurels. //

Technology facts and figures 31

Facts and figures about the Polo R WRC

8KG

The bonnet of the Polo R WRC is basically identical to that of a production Polo. The only additions to the eight-kilogram bonnet are ventilation openings, in order to keep the engine at the optimal temperature.

900 C
The brake discs on the Polo R WRC can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius. Internally ventilated, steel brake discs are used in the World Rally Championship. English company Alcon makes the highperformance brakes with a diameter (front) of 355 millimetres.

7 MIN.

75

The Volkswagen mechanics take just seven minutes to change a wheel bearing. To do this, the wheel must be removed first, then the brake, before everything is reassembled.

The maximum brake pressure recorded in the Polo R WRC to date is 74.8 bar. You would have to dive to a depth of 748 metres to get a feel for this but beware, as not all submarines can even withstand such pressure.

Technology facts and figures 32

Did you know that

the International Automobile Federation (FIA) breaks the engine down into 300 individual parts, if necessary, in order to check that it complies with the regulations? The quality assurance process checks every part, and every screw, to an accuracy of one thousandth of a millimetre (1 m). By comparison: that is 500 times smaller than a grain of salt, or 150 times finer than a human hair.

weighs about 12 kilograms. By comparison, a production door weighs about 25 kilograms. a door can be changed as quick as a flash? During a rally, it takes less than 30 seconds to remove a damaged door and replace it with a new one. the shock absorbers are subjected to forces of up to four tons? This kind of extreme impact occurs when a car hits stones or rocks. as well as the brakes, the shock absorbers are also subjected to high temperatures? The ZF single-tube shock absorbers heat up to 150 degrees Celsius. They also spring five times quicker than a production damper. the brake callipers on a World Rally Car are water-cooled? On production cars and Formula One cars they are always air-cooled. Compared to Formula One, rally cars do not reach high enough speeds to cool the brake discs using the airflow generated.

modified production doors are used on the Polo R WRC? The interior lining is removed from inside and replaced with lightweight carbon. A special FIA safety foam between the interior and exterior of the doors serves as impact protection. a side door weighs less than half that of a production Polo? As electronic components, such as the window lift, are removed, a WRC door

any comments from Volkswagen mechanics

Technology facts and figures 33

Did you know that

were all taken into consideration whilst developing the shock absorbers, etc.? In order to ensure that a service can be completed as quickly as possible, the mechanics proposed using standard-sized screws in easily accessible locations. This allows the mechanics to save valuable time, as they need not change tools. the rear wing helps the car fly better on big jumps? The three-kilometre, add-on aerodynamic part is made of carbon and, as well as generating downforce in corners, is designed to improve the flight of the car on long jumps. Without the rear wing, the Polo R WRC would land on its nose.

Volkswagen drivers sit in bucket seats, which are moulded to fit the drivers bodies perfectly? heated tyre blankets, like the ones used in Formula One, are not permitted in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)?

Volkswagen Motorsport Engagements 34

AROUND THE WORLD

Volkswagen enjoys a global presence on the motorsport scene

A GLOBAL PLAYER IN PRODUCTION-BASED MOTORSPORT

Setting benchmarks the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup has introduced numerous innovations to one-make racing

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Juniors versus pros the Scirocco R-Cup brings unique concepts together in a one-make racing series

Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup: an exemplary forerunner in motorsport When the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup was held for the first time in 2010, it combined numerous fundamentally new ideas in one. Pure racing with green appeal: thanks to its natural gas-powered engine, the series is able to reduce the total CO2 emissions arising from the sporting action and logistics by 80 per cent. This is unique in the world of motorsport. Innovative concepts like the Push-to-pass system, which allows the driver to briefly call on a further 50 hp at the push of a button, make for exciting battles and provide a tactical element that was previously missing from onemake cups. At the heart of the power train, which is optimised for use in

or Volkswagen, the close relationship with the production side has always formed an integral part of the companys motorsport strategy: back in the 1970s, the Scirocco-Cup caused quite a stir with its identical, one-make cars. Fast forward to 2014, and innovative concepts like this are now regarded as typical Volkswagen. Volkswagen is now not only a global player in series production the car manufacturer is also a giant in the world of motorsport.

motor racing, is the standard TSI engine from the Scirocco R the sports version of the coup. The engineers have taken the TSI engine and developed a CNG racing version, which generates an impressive 173 kW (235 hp) and 275 newton metres of torque. In the Scirocco R-Cup, the two classes Junior and Pro-Cup provide sporting variety and ensure a high-class field. Ahead of the fifth season, Volkswagen Motorsport and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) went in search of a talented, young female driver. The test in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben allowed twelve girls from all over the world to showcase their talent. Lucile Cypriano from France was the beaming winner, and was rewarded with a cockpit for the 2014 Scirocco R-Cup.

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Turbocharging careers and upholding a tradition of success: Volkswagen and Formula 3 Motorsport legends like seven-time Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, and eighttime winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, Tom Kristensen, took their first steps towards careers in Formula One and GT racing in Formula 3 and powered by Volkswagen. Between 1982 and 1991, seven Volkswagen drivers claimed the title in the German Formula 3 Championship alone. In 2014, the career catalyst from Wolfsburg is as sought-after as ever: as engine supplier, Volkswagen remains involved in the worlds most important single-seater series for young drivers. In doing so, the

manufacturer is upholding its own successful tradition. The Formula 3 European Championship, in which 230-hp Volkswagen engines are used, is no less exciting. The latest generation Dallara chassis, which is homologated up to 2015, is used for the cars. The basic weight of the entire car, including driver, amounts to just 550 kilograms. Whether in Monza, Silverstone, Spielberg, Zandvoort or Hockenheim, the same applies here: todays Formula 3 drivers could well be tomorrows Formula One drivers. The series made its comeback in 2012 after an absence of 27 years. Not only was it a huge success for the Formula 3 European Championship, but also for

Volkswagen. In 2014, the former Formula 3 Euro Series became one of the most important single-seater series for juniors in the world. Volkswagen engines will also feature in the British Formula 3 Championship and in Germanys ATS Formula 3 Cup in 2014. //

Global talent factory Volkswagen is heavily involved in European championships

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Volkswagen Service for journalists

WWW.VOLKSWAGEN-MOTORSPORT.COM
VOLKSWAGENS CONTENT & MEDIA POOL OFFERS:
An up-to-date information service on rounds of the Formula 3 series and Scirocco R-Cup, as well as outings in the FIA World Rally Championship with the Volkswagen Polo R WRC it also provides news, results, the latest standings and high-resolution photo material Sending of media information in German or English

Basic texts and information on every aspect of Volkswagens motorsport commitment

This Information package as a PDF document, available for download

Latest TV footage in various qualities ready to be broadcast, for mobile devices and the Internet

Portraits of all Volkswagen works drivers

LINKS
Volkswagen Motorsport

www.volkswagen-motorsport.com (public motorsport website and Content & Media Pool) www.facebook.com/VolkswagenMotorsport (Facebook fan page) www.twitter.com/VolkswagenRally (Twitter channel for the WRC) www.youtube.com/VolkswagenRally (Youtube channel for the WRC) www.adac-formel-masters.de (ADAC Formula Masters) www.fiaf3europe.com, www.formel3.de, www.formula3.co (official F3 websites)

www.wrc.com (official website of the FIA World Rally Championship)

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Your contacts

Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH Communications Ikarusallee 7a D-30179 Hannover Fon +49 511 67494-0 Fax +49 511 67494-753 media@volkswagen-motorsport.com www.volkswagen-motorsport.com

Stefan Moser Coordinator Motorsport Communication Volkswagen Group Mobile +49 171 4000379 E-mail stefan.moser@volkswagen-motorsport.com

Andre Dietzel Head of Communications Mobile +49 175 7234689 E-mail andre.dietzel@volkswagen-motorsport.com

Ingo Roersch Communications Mobile +49 172 1499157 E-mail ingo.roersch@volkswagen-motorsport.com