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VW Enter The Rallycross Arena - With A Beetle!

Topics:  Volkswagen Beetle

VW Enter The Rallycross Arena - With A Beetle!

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
February 11, 2014

The resurgence of Rallycross continues apace, especially in the USA. At least two manufacturers have signed up to sponsor teams in the inaugural FIA World Championships this year. Now, it seems the Volkswagen will enter this exciting branch of motorsport in America this Summer with a Rallycross Beetle featuring all-wheel-drive and a TSI engine that delivers more than 560hp. It was presented last week at the Chicago Motor Show.

Volkswagen is partnering with Andretti Autosport to form the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team, and is running two cars in the series for drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed. The team will initially compete this season with modified Polo rally cars, built on the chassis that won the 2013 World Rally Championship for drivers and manufacturers, and will switch during the season to the fearsome GRC Beetle shown.

This all-wheel-drive rallycross car is the ultimate expression of the third-generation Beetle and will feature more than 560 horsepower from its turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine.

Rallycross is the fastest growing form of motorsports in the U.S., attracting big crowds at venues across the country as well as live TV coverage. It has always been popular both here and in Europe as an extremely accessible form of motor racing. Cars are pitted against each other and the clock in a series of heats on a closed course that’s usually a mixture of gravel and tarmac that tests cars and drivers to the limit. If you haven’t seen it before you are in for a treat.