The Volkswagen Beetle will enter the world of American motorsport this summer. Volkswagen of America presented the all-wheel-drive TSI gasoline-powered Rallycross Beetle at the Chicago Auto Show , producing over 412 kW (560 hp).
The automaker teamed up with Andretti Autosport to create the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team, which will field two cars piloted by Tanner Foust and Scott Speed in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Series championship. The new team will start this season with modified Polo rally models , built on the basis of the WRC specials that won the driver's and constructor's titles last year. Introduced in Chicago, the Beetle GRC will replace the Polo later this year.
This rallycross special is the ultimate version of the third generation Beetle . The drive is taken care of by a TSI turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection, which will provide over 560 horsepower .
Rallycross is currently the fastest growing form of motorsport in North America. It attracts not only a huge number of fans , but also TV crews , and offers racing events all over the country. Cars compete against each other and against a timer on a closed circuit often combining dirt and asphalt surfaces. Jumps with a length of twenty meters and more are also included.
Source: Volkswagen
