RE: Latvala shakes down the Polo: Time for Tea?
Thursday 2nd July 2015
It's Rally Poland this weekend, meaning that we're just over half way through the 2015 World Rally Championship calendar. And here's Jari-Matti Latvala demonstrating just what an exceptional piece of kit the WRC Polo is during the event shakedown last week.
Latvala shakes down the Polo: Time for Tea?
Plain white Polo WRC car looks almost minty fresh, doesn't it?
Rally Poland is a recent addition to the WRC, but the event itself is one of the oldest in Europe, having first been run in 1921. Even 45 years of communism couldn't stop it, although it did create the spectacular sight of an FSO Polonez rally car fitted with Lancia Stratos running gear. These days it's a gravel event run around the Masurian Lakes area in the north-east of Poland, and with some spectacular high-speed stages that mean it is often likened to Rally Finland.
Anyway, here's Latvala putting a pristine-looking unliveried Polo through its paces at what looks like full rally pace in a forest stage. The launch at the beginning is an impressive display of just how quickly these cars get off the line too.
Latvala is currently fourth in the championship, but will be hoping for another victory here off his win in Rally Portugal in May. He's certainly not short on pace...
Watch the video here.
Discussion
Latvala on his day is as quick as anyone, even Ogier and Loeb when he was around. Trouble is he rarely puts it together consistently enough, if he did he would give Ogier a serious run for his money.
Polo engine is knocking out around 320bhp, not sure about peak torque. I know the older Fiesta WRC engine is 310/315bhp and 400Nm of torque.
Polo engine is knocking out around 320bhp, not sure about peak torque. I know the older Fiesta WRC engine is 310/315bhp and 400Nm of torque.
Oh for the WRC manufacturers to do cut down versions of these to fill the hot hatch segment. GRP or Ally panels instead of the CF ones, their usual ~300hp turbo engine of choice, dual-clutch gearboxes with a stick instead of paddles, true AWD (not this haldex nonsense), less fancy suspension with a compliant tarmac setup... choice of 2 or 4 seater (2 seater would get the Megane R26-R style half cage, lightweight windows and harness)...
What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
Excellent sideways action
If only the TV coverage was like that, I would be able to engage with the sport again. Far to much reliance on in-car footage (which gives you no idea what the car is doing) and way too much blathering (both from the commentators and the drivers).
I did a rough analysis of a show recently, about 15% was actual footage of a car from the outside.
If only the TV coverage was like that, I would be able to engage with the sport again. Far to much reliance on in-car footage (which gives you no idea what the car is doing) and way too much blathering (both from the commentators and the drivers).
I did a rough analysis of a show recently, about 15% was actual footage of a car from the outside.
wst said:
Oh for the WRC manufacturers to do cut down versions of these to fill the hot hatch segment. GRP or Ally panels instead of the CF ones, their usual ~300hp turbo engine of choice, dual-clutch gearboxes with a stick instead of paddles, true AWD (not this haldex nonsense), less fancy suspension with a compliant tarmac setup... choice of 2 or 4 seater (2 seater would get the Megane R26-R style half cage, lightweight windows and harness)...
What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
Saved me writing something similar. I think a little awd monster could sell by the bucketload. Just make it faster than all the bloated hatches out there. What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
wst said:
Oh for the WRC manufacturers to do cut down versions of these to fill the hot hatch segment. GRP or Ally panels instead of the CF ones, their usual ~300hp turbo engine of choice, dual-clutch gearboxes with a stick instead of paddles, true AWD (not this haldex nonsense), less fancy suspension with a compliant tarmac setup... choice of 2 or 4 seater (2 seater would get the Megane R26-R style half cage, lightweight windows and harness)...
What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
Saved me writing something similar. I think a little awd monster could sell by the bucketload. Just make it faster than all the bloated hatches out there. What a dream that'd be. If I win the euromillions I'll buy the full fat versions and start making the slightly tamer roadgoing ones I've just specced up... (from mouldings taken from the full fats, don't worry!)
Are we about to see the next generation of exciting road cars, born from rallying, since the Impreza vs Lancer era? Watching the Polo, Fiesta, DS3 etc from the outside looks like the game has moved on in leaps and bounds in terms of dynamic ability. I'm no rally fanatic, but it makes me want to watch the WRC again. More footage please!! And well powered, wide bodied road versions to crave. Asking too much? A time machine back to the 80's a more acheivable request?
Haha agreed. Another modern turbo car with a poor soundtrack. I'll miss the V8's when they are few and far between. Although as daily drivers the frequent fuelling does eventually wear you down. Still worth it though for proper throttle response and great sound. Off topic though, can't see anything but turbo four pots in fast superminis in this generation and next. Or three pots??
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