MUMBAI: Volkswagen Motorsport India is set to celebrate a decade of its existence that began with its one-make series Polo Cup, by introducing its ‘Winter Project’ car at the Madras Motor Race Track today, NDTV reports.
Built by its workshop in Pune, this is a one-off, experimental track car modelled on the VW Polo. The car is not built to comply with any racing or rallying regulations in India.
The rear-engine, rear wheel drive Polo will be powered by the 199bhp producing 1.8-litre TSI engine from the Ameo Cup car. The powerful engine will come mated to a sequential gearbox and will be offered with paddle shifters. In addition, special pipes and ducts were built to get the cooling system and fuel system functioning.
With the intercooler occupying the designated space of fuel tank, the latter had to be moved to the front of the car and connected to the engine at the back. The team also spent a lot of time developing and designing the wiring harness routing and systems integration. The suspension system was recreated as well to get the handling according to the driver’s preferences.
Volkswagen Motorsport India head Sirish Vissa was quoted as saying to NDTV: “I am extremely excited about our ‘Winter Project’ car! It is commendable how the team has managed to pull off this project with limited access to high-end software and technology. Young engineers and technicians in the team have shown real calibre by getting this masterpiece ready in less than three weeks!
“A rear engine, rear wheel drive car is tremendously different in terms of its performance as compared to our conventional front-engine, front wheel drive race cars. With the rear wheel managing the acceleration, the front wheels have more freedom to turn the car sharply and quickly, thereby enhancing its dynamic performance to a great extent.”
The driver selection for the 2019 season has already been conducted by Volkswagen Motorsport India and it will begin with pre-season testing and fitness camps in June followed by competitive racing at India’s all three racing circuits in Coimbatore, Chennai and Greater Noida.
