Daily Archives: April 14, 2016
Volkswagen Released a Teaser of the 2017 Polo R WRC
Volkswagen has just released the teaser of its 2017 Polo R WRC, representing a third-generation design for the VW rally car that will be a contender in the 2017 World Rally Championship.
Since it returned in 2013, Volkswagen has been the dominant force in the World Rally Championship. It won the title every year since then, but it’s not simply contented with that as it comes out with details of the first WRC car for 2017.
According to a source, the car is based on the Polo subcompact. However, every component will be changed as opposed to the current model. The race car is lighter, wider and more powerful, thanks to the new regulations released. In addition, the design team got more free hand on this model in terms of aerodynamic regulations.
The 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC will have a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce 375 horsepower, up from 315 horsepower on the current car. Its weight is reduced by 25 kilograms to 1,175 kilograms from 1,200 kg. The width of the car, thankfully, increased by 50 millimeters.
There are other adjustments made in the car such as the addition of an electric center differential, a broader front spoiler, and a large rear wing. The exterior details are still being finalized, so don’t expect the Polo R WRC to look exactly as teased. There may be some adjustments by the start of the new season—at the Rally Monte Carlo in January 2017.
Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito said that the new regulations for the WRC made technical innovations possible. These regulations made the car more dynamic but safer as well.
Next season, we should expect more competition from other rally car makers, Toyota especially. Plenty is at stake for these rally cars as soon as the new season opens. Volkswagen is expected to tweak its 2017 rally car even further.
2017 Tesla Model S Gets Minor Facelift
After Tesla discontinued the Roadster, it also released the new Model S that has recently become widely popular. In fact, it has generated such good sales that Tesla extended its offering of vehicles—the Model X and the upcoming Tesla Model 3.
After years of changes that only included the drivetrain and energy efficiency, Tesla has finally noticed the need for the Model S to get a facelift, according to a report.
The Model S was initially offered as a rear-wheel drive that has a range of 265 miles. It received several updates in the past years that included a new front motor that made all-wheel-drive variants available, plus Autopilot, and Ludicrous mode. In addition, it went up to a range of 295 miles.
This year, the aesthetics design is getting a facelift too, albeit just a minor one. There aren’t many changes, except for the fact that Tesla updated the current model with a sportier appearance.
The same hood and corner vents can be found up front, as well as the size of the headlights. However, the lens changed as it now sports an LED strip that lines the top and outer side of the lens. There’s a smaller LED strip that hangs from the upper edge as well.
The nose has been redesigned. While the previous model has a big chrome strip, Tesla has removed this altogether. It put a vent into the area below the front hood with the Tesla emblem right in the middle.
The sides and the rear have no changes at all. The Tesla Model S is offered with four different sets of wheels—from the 19-inch, 10-spoke Silver Slipstream wheels to the 19-inch, 10-spoke Cyclone wheels. Furthermore, you can opt for the 21-inch, 10-spoke Turbine wheels in gray or silver.
The standard Model S has a body-colored roof, although you can choose the all-glass panoramic roof for $1,500. For body color, Solid Black and Solid White are available for no additional cost while for $1,000, you can get Titanium Metallic, Midnight Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, or Silver Metallic. Pearl White Multi-coat and Red Multi-coat will cost an extra $1,500.
The Model S 70D starts out at $84,000.