Off to the icy cold: Volkswagen looks ahead to the rally Sweden

 

A high-speed adventure on ice and snow: when Volkswagen Motorsport starts out on the Rally Sweden from 7 to 10 February, it will be taking on its second major challenge in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). At the wheel of the 315-hp (232 kW) Polo R WRC, Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) will grapple with the only event this season to be held completely on ice and snow. The rally, with its headquarters in Karlstad and Service Park in Hagfors, represents a gruelling test for the drivers and the team’s technology: the rally cars are consistently pushed to their very limits, despite temperatures plummeting to between 10 and 20 degrees below freezing. The icy cold is no obstacle for the enthusiastic fans, however: armed with tents and camp fires, which they erect along the side of the route, they defy the conditions to cheer the wild drifts and huge jumps produced by their rally heroes. Another feature of the event is that the route for this iconic rally also takes the teams over the border from Sweden into Norway.

“After a good start to the season, the entire team now heads to the next challenge, the Rally Sweden, fully motivated and full of confidence. However, everyone in the team is well aware that the good result achieved in Monte Carlo is not yet a true indication of where we lie compared to the opposition,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “The Rally Sweden is totally unique. The speed on the ice and snow is very high. This is only possible with extreme studded tyres, which are only used once a year. However, every rally is a test for the team. The processes in Monte Carlo recently were top-class. We want to follow on from this in Sweden and to continue developing from rally to rally.”

Snow, ice, bitter cold: the Rally Sweden represents a unique challenge

At the Rally Monte Carlo it was the all-important question: which tyre to use. In Sweden, conditions make the lives of the drivers and engineers significantly easier. The only tyres available to the drivers are studded winter tyres. Rather than tyre selection, the bitter cold around Hagfors and Karlstad will play a crucial role: initial forecasts are predicting temperatures of –10° Celsius for the weekend of 7 to 10 February. This will provide a stern test for the team at the nine scheduled services, and will put man and material through its paces during the 338.91 timed kilometres awaiting the Polo R WRC.

After a spectator stage in Karlstad on Thursday, the rally heads into the Hagfors region on Friday, where Saturday’s special stages are held to the east of the city. Special stages along the border with Norway are scheduled for Saturday. The stages are all similar: largely lined by walls of snow, which the drivers “lean on” every so often, the route takes the competitors at high speeds through forests and past frozen lakes.

2012 winner, 2013 “powered by Volkswagen”: Jari-Matti Latvala

Drivers from northern Europe traditionally have a ‘home’ advantage at the Rally Sweden: in 2004, multiple world champion Sébastien Loeb (Citroën) became the first and only driver to date from outside of Finland, Norway and Sweden to win the rally since it was first held in 1950. 2012 winner: Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila, who switched to Volkswagen in the winter.

Quotes ahead of the Rally Sweden

Jari-Matti Latvala, Polo R WRC #7

“I really like the Rally Sweden. The event requires a very quick and flowing driving style on Swedish forest roads. There is nothing to criticise about the event – with one exception: it can get very cold there, with temperatures reaching as low as minus 20 or even minus 30 degrees. Up to now I have driven 500 kilometres on snow in the Polo R WRC. However, we will slot in another test day on snow before the Rally Sweden. The car works very well in these conditions. I am already very happy with the way it feels to drive. I have fond memories of the Rally Sweden, such as my very first WRC victory in 2008 and, of course, my win there last year. My goal for this season is to finish in the top five.”

Sébastien Ogier, Polo R WRC #8

“The season could hardly have started better for us. Heading to Sweden with 18 points to our name is a very nice position to be in. This allows us to relax a little. However, we are now faced with a new rally. Let’s see what we are capable of on this surface. It is hard to predict what awaits us there. We will have to wait until after the first few special stages. I really like the Rally Sweden. If the snow conditions are good, it is really good fun driving there. The average speed is pretty high, and the grip on studded tyres is fantastic. I just love pulling off big drifts with a rally car on ice.”

Volkswagen in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)

In entering the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Volkswagen is adding another chapter to its motorsport success story. Volkswagen claimed overall victory at the Rally Dakar with the Race Touareg in 2009, 2010 and 2011 – celebrating a hat-trick of titles at the toughest marathon rally in the world. The Polo R WRC is the first World Rally Car produced by the Wolfsburg-based company, which now lines up with its own works team in the pinnacle of rallying. The series offers Volkswagen the opportunity to prove itself on a global platform in direct sporting competition. No model is more suited to the challenge than the Polo – one of Volkswagen’s most heavily produced and distributed models in the world.

Did you know ...

... the Rally Sweden was first held in 1950 and will be staged for the 60th time in 2013? Since 1950, only three years have passed, in which the “Sweden” did not form part of the World Rally Championship: in 1974 it was cancelled due to the oil crisis, in 1990 due to poor weather, and in 2009 when the FIA rotation system meant it was not included on the calendar.

... the “poor weather” that prevented the 1990 Rally Sweden from taking place actually refers to it being too mild? Back then, there was too little snow to stage a real “Sweden”.

... the Rally Sweden is a real home event for Scandinavian drivers? Only once has the rally, which is the only race on the calendar that is always held on ice and snow, been won by a man from outside Sweden, Norway and Finland. In 2004, Sébastien Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena (F/MC, Citroën) were victorious.

... Volkswagen consultant Carlos Sainz boasts a remarkable successful record at the Rally Sweden, with just one thing missing: a win? “El Matador” finished runner-up in Sweden on four occasions between 1996 and 1999, and also stepped onto the podium after finishing third in 2001 and 2002.

... the Volkswagen team is excellently prepared for the icy temperatures at the Rally Sweden? Taking the approach that layers are the best way to combat the cold, the mandatory team attire includes an outdoor jacket with a fur hood, soft-shell jacket, thermal underlayer, pullover, and polo shirt or team shirt. The team’s shoes are also completely suitable for use in wintery conditions.

... the organisers of the Rally Sweden present the “Colin’s Crest Award” for the longest jump over a crest on the Vargåsen stage, in memory of Colin McRae? Previous winners since 2008: Khalid Al Qassimi (UAE), Marius Aasen (N), Ken Block (USA) and Ott Tänak (EST).

... Volkswagen is also the official car of the Rally Sweden?

... the Rally Sweden is the first event of the 2013 season to feature two spectator stages, known as Super Special Stages? The 1.9-kilometre “Färjestadstravet” stage in Karlstad will be held twice on a harness racing track.
 
The number for the Rally Sweden: 1,300

As at all the rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the Volkswagen engineers can expect to be faced with a lot of analysis work at the Rally Sweden. Each car will record about 1,300 megabytes of sensor data at the “Sweden”. For comparison: that is the equivalent of about 230,000 A4 pages of pure text.

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Standings

Drivers’ Championship

1. Sébastien Loeb, 25 points;

2. Sébastien Ogier, 18;

3. Dani Sordo, 15;

4. Mikko Hirvonen, 12;

5. Bryan Bouffier, 10;

6. Mads Østberg, 8;

7. Martin Prokop, 6;

8. Sepp Wiegand, 4;

9. Olivier Burri, 2;

10. Micha? Kosciuszko, 1.

Manufacturers’ Championship

1. Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, 37;

2. Volkswagen Motorsport, 18;

3. Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team, 15;

4. Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team, 10;

5. Lotos WRC Team, 8.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen workforce supports “A chance to play” scheme for disadvantaged children in Brazil

The Volkswagen Group Works Council and the child rights agency “terre des hommes” are helping to improve future prospects for children and young people in poor districts of Brazil with the “A chance to play” initiative. The project was officially launched on Friday in the country hosting the 2014 football World Cup. “A chance to play” supports sports, learning and training projects for several thousand girls and boys. The programme’s patrons include musician Peter Maffay and former professional football player Giovane Elber. 

As the programme kicked off, the Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft for Human Resources, Dr. Horst Neumann, underscored: ‘For the Volkswagen Group, entrepreneurial initiative and social responsibility are inextricably linked. Volkswagen is supporting Brazil’s development by investing billions and is at the same time committed to many social projects. One new and outstanding example is “A chance to play”.’

The Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council, Bernd Osterloh, said: ‘“A chance to play” is a strong expression of international solidarity on the part of the Volkswagen workforce. As employees of a global carmaker we are very aware of our social responsibility. Together with local organisations we will be implementing aid projects to the tune of two million euros.’

Josef-Fidelis Senn, Vice President for Human Resources at Volkswagen do Brasil, emphasised Volkswagen’s decades-long commitment in Brazil: ‘For 33 years, our Fundação Volkswagen social foundation has testified to our social responsibility and to our support for education and social development. The Fundação has already reached out to one million school children with its educational projects. “A chance to play” is a very welcome addition to this work.’

The distinguished ambassadors of “A chance to play” include musician Peter Maffay, who is a member of the board of trustees of ‘Volkswagen Belegschaftsstiftung’ (Volkswagen Employees’ Foundation). Maffay said: ‘The foundation will also play a part in the success of “A chance to play”. For me, it is a point of honour to gain a first-hand impression of the projects. That means I spend several days with my colleagues from the Group Works Council and “terre des homes” visiting the local initiatives.’

The Volkswagen Works Council and the child rights agency “terre des hommes” launched
“A chance to play” in 2010 on the occasion of the football World Cup in South Africa. The initiative is committed to helping children in need at Volkswagen locations all over the world. In South Africa, it reached out to over 50,000 children. To mark the 2014 World Cup, it is supporting 14 projects to fight child poverty in Brazil, reaching out to 60,000 children. The projects include aid for a crèche in a slum area as well as anti-violence training in poor districts.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

 

Strong debut: Volkswagen finishes "Monte" in second place

Absolutely “Monte”: Volkswagen showed an impressive debut in the FIA World Rally Championship. In one of the toughest editions of the Rally Monte Carlo in recent years, Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) managed to lead the Polo R WRC in its first competitive outing to second place. In difficult weather conditions with a mix of snow, ice, and wet asphalt next to bright sunshine, thick fog, and heavy rain Ogier/Ingrassa won two special stages on the classic through the French Maritime Alps. Behind the nine-time world champions Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (F/MC, Citroën), Ogier/Ingrassia achieved top times from the start, thus reaching the podium straightaway and on their own accord in the debut of the Polo R WRC. Their team colleagues Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) were among the top five almost until the end of the rally. Because of the extremely challenging weather conditions with slush and pieces of ice, they were, however, forced to retire after sliding off in the legendary special stage over the Col de Turini.

Milestones: Fastest times for Ogier/Ingrassia

First special stage, first fastest time – for Volkswagen the Rally Monte Carlo began with a milestone achievement. On “Le Moulinon”, with 37.1 kilometers the longest special stage of the rally, Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia achieved the best time. On the second day, the French duo also secured their position with the best time in the fifth special stage, “La Batie D'Andaure”, in their home rally “Monte”. With other top results Ogier/Ingrassia consolidated their second position in the overall ranking. In total, Volkswagen managed to record top-three results in 14 of 16 special stages.

Extreme weather: premature end to the “Monte” for safety reasons

Extreme weather conditions and safety concerns resulted in a premature end of the Rally Monte Carlo. The organisers of the rally called off the remaining two stages on Saturday evening, including the final round over the Col de Turini. Heavy rain and the resulting unpredictable weather conditions in the night from Saturday to Sunday as well as traffic chaos around the mythical special stage caused safety concerns. Shortly before the cancellation of special stages 17 and 18, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila had slipped from the track into the barriers with their Polo R WRC. Slush and pieces of ice had made the opening stage of last day of the rally unpredictable. Besides Latvala/Anttila, other top drivers crashed out in this special stage.

Tyre gamble and driving skills most crucial

Changing road textures and unpredictable weather: The conditions in the Rally Monte Carlo are unique in the WRC calendar. In no other rally is the skill of the driver as important as in the “Monte”. An additional success factor: the tyre choice. In the 2013 edition of the classic rally spike tyres turned out to be a rare commodity. No more than 20 pieces per car are permitted by the regulations. When which tyres are used, is a decision that the teams decide based on the information provided by weather crews along the stages and precise weather forecasts. Here, Volkswagen not only proved to be ready for the WRC with the Polo R WRC technically but also in driving and logistically.

The next round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) will take place in Sweden from February 07–10, 2013.

Quotes, day four of the Rally Monte Carlo

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“Second place in the first rally of the new Polo R WRC is more than we could have expected. The team did an exceptional job in the last four rally days and prepared the cars perfectly. The Rally Monte Carlo is the most complex event in the calendar and the team has here shown that they are ready for the World Rally Championship. There was no mistake, not the slightest problem. One cannot value the performance of Sébastien Ogier highly enough. He drove the ‘Monte’ in a World Rally Car for the first time. There is no other rally in which the driver’s impact on the result is bigger. That is why we will not see where we stand with the Polo R WRC until after the upcoming events.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“I never was as happy about a second place as I was today. To reach the podium in our debut with the Polo R WRC is just great. These were probably the most difficult conditions in a Rally Monte Carlo I have ever experienced. Especially today, during the first run to the Col de Turini, it was extremely slippery, so that speeds of more than 20 kph were not possible. It was just about keeping the car on the road. The entire team worked very hard during the last year, and I am happy to give something back to them. I am sorry for Jari- Matti but I am sure that we will celebrate further victories together for Volkswagen in the future.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“I am very disappointed. There was more wet snow in the first run through the Col de Turini stage than I expected. I was too fast right in the beginning, the car did not turn as expected, and I crashed heavily. Another car had slipped there before I did and I hit the same lane. There was nothing I could do. It was my goal to gather lots of experience with the Polo R WRC. It is bitter to end the rally this way. I am sorry for the guys because they prepared the cars brilliantly. I really wanted to give them a points result.”

And then there was ...

...the Volkswagen Group brand Audi, which got on board the World Rally Championship at the “Monte” in 1981 with the Quattro, winning, just like Volkswagen with the Polo R WRC, the very first special stage in its debut as a manufacturer. At the time, it was Hannu Mikkola who had a dream start; in 2013, it was Sébastien Ogier who started in a similarly spectacular way in the very first and longest special stage. The Quattro was revolutionary within the World Rally Championship in the early eighties and helped start the triumphant march of the four-wheel drive. This kind of transmission technology is indispensable in World Rally Cars today.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Good news for buyers of Volkswagen Touareg and CC models

More luxury for less with New Volkswagen Touareg R-Line

Volkswagen has created an even more sumptuous version of the upmarket Touareg SUV, with the introduction of the new Touareg R-Line.  Based on the already well-equipped Touareg Altitude, the Touareg R-Line adds luxurious extra equipment and unique R-Line styling cues, together worth over £4,000, for a premium of just £750.

The Touareg R-Line sits on 20-inch ‘Tarragona’ alloy wheels with 275/45 R20 tyres, while the distinctive front and rear bumpers and side skirts give an even more purposeful look, added to by R-Line badges on the front wings.  Standard bi-xenon headlights with dynamic curve lighting and LED daytime running lights give the R-Line driver a commanding view of the road, and are complemented by LED rear lights and number-plate lights.

Stepping into the cabin – over the bespoke R-Line sill plates – both passengers and drivers will appreciate the extra light which floods into the spacious cabin through the standard full-length panoramic electric sliding glass sunroof.  Also standard is keyless entry and start – provided the key is in the vehicle, the Touareg R-Line starts at the touch of a button – and an electrically powered tailgate that makes for effortless loading and unloading.

Like every Touareg, the R-Line also comes with leather upholstery, a satellite navigation and audio system with eight-inch full-colour touchscreen, DAB, Bluetooth and MDI multi-device interface for iPods, 2Zone climate control, a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration, to help maximise fuel efficiency.

The Touareg R-Line is available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox paired to a
3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with either 204 PS, for £44,025, or 245 PS, for £45,645
RRP OTR.

Sophisticated Volkswagen CC now better value than ever

Those seeking even sleeker luxury motoring are also in for a treat this winter, with the lowering of prices across the CC range.  The price of every CC model in the range is now at least £470 lower than last year, meaning you can get behind the wheel of a CC from just £24,050 (RRP OTR). 

Those opting for the best-selling CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS version (with either manual or DSG gearbox) will now get even better value, too, with prices for this model down by a total of £1,320, thanks to the removal of ACC Adaptive Chassis Control, which now becomes a £850 option.  ACC remains standard on the CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS and CC GT 2.0-litre TSI 210 PS, and is optional on all other models.

The Touareg R-Line and the CC are both on sale now.  For more information visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

 
Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

 

Volkswagen Group opens its 100th plant worldwide

Wolfsburg / Silao, January 16, 2013: Volkswagen is further extending its commitment to industry in North America. The engine plant in Silao in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato was opened today. The new factory is the Volkswagen Group’s 100th plant worldwide. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña, the Governor of the state of Guanajuato, Miguel Marquez, and Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. The factory will supply Volkswagen’s North American vehicle plants in Puebla/Mexico and Chattanooga/USA with modern and fuel-efficient TSI engines produced locally in Silao.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commented: ‘The Silao factory is the Volkswagen Group’s 100th plant and therefore represents one of the largest and most international production networks in the automotive industry. With this new plant we are driving our ambitious major North American offensive forward. Over the next three years the Volkswagen Group will be investing more than USD five billion in North America alone. Silao is thus also a strong symbol of our uninterrupted growth trajectory and the Group’s continuing internationalisation.’

Strengthening its market position in North America is an essential component of the Volkswagen Group’s global growth strategy. In this context, the company is planning annual sales of one million vehicles in the USA alone from 2018 based on models such as the Jetta, the Beetle and the new US Passat tailored to the demands of US customers which are produced at the North American plants with a high degree of localisation.

With the start of engine production in Silao, Volkswagen is continuing its success story in Mexico that already spans almost 60 years. Along with the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, the MAN commercial vehicles plant in Querétaro and the planned Audi vehicle plant in San José Chiapa scheduled to begin production in 2016, the Group remains a key growth driver for Mexican industry.

In future, Silao will supply the North American vehicle plants in Puebla und Chattanooga with the latest generation of fuel-efficient TSI engines. The plant is designed for a medium-term annual capacity of 330,000 units. Investment runs at USD 550 million. Volkswagen will be creating over 700 new jobs at the 60 hectare plant in Silao in the medium term. Further jobs in the region will also be created at suppliers and in the service sector.

Engine production in Silao meets the high environmental standards of the Volkswagen brand’s ‘Think Blue. Factory’ programme. The aim of this programme is to make more efficient use of resources and to achieve a sustained reduction in production-related emissions at all Volkswagen plants. As a result, all manufacturing equipment in Silao complies with the latest energy efficiency standards, thus achieving a significant reduction in the environmental impact of each produced engine. Special rooflights in the production halls, for example, combined with energy-efficient lighting throughout the facility ensure optimum natural light levels and simultaneously absorb the heat generated by the lighting system. The improved-performance TSI engines (EA 888) from Silao combine fuel economy and improved emissions with lower weight.

The CEO of Volkswagen de México, Andreas Hinrichs, drew attention to the Mexican automotive industry’s growth path in 2012 and to Volkswagen’s contribution consisting of over 600,000 vehicles produced in the country. ‘For us, Silao is a big step towards the future. Volkswagen is once again generating strong momentum for growth and employment in the Mexican automotive industry.’

Volkswagen de México currently builds four models for world markets at the Puebla plant. These are the Volkswagen Jetta, Golf Estate, Beetle and Beetle Cabrio. A total of 604,000 vehicles were manufactured in Puebla in 2012. Production of the US Passat developed specifically for the American market began in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2011. Over 150,000 vehicles already left the assembly line there in 2012.

The Volkswagen Group delivered 165,900 (2011: 153,300)* vehicles to customers in Mexico in 2012. The Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, Porsche, Bentley and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands therefore recorded an 8.2 per cent* year-on-year rise.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

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