Volkswagen pulls the plug from Volkswagen Motorsport. The closing of the motorsport department is part of a reorganization, the staff will be transferred to various departments within the Volkswagen group. Ultimately, their acquired technical knowledge must continue to improve Volkswagen’s EVs.
The closure of the Volkswagen motorsport department is of course not without reason. The brand wants to become the market leader in the field of EVs and that requires all hands on deck. Last year, Volkswagen Motorsport was mainly concerned with the ID.R, a 680 hp racer with which it set several records. The department employs 169 people, which Volkswagen is now relocating elsewhere within the group. They will continue to contribute with their expertise to the development of the ID models. Exactly how Volkswagen is going to divide the staff remains under wraps.
Volkswagen Motorsport has a successful history. The motorsport division achieved three victories in the Dakar Rally with the Touareg from 2009 to 2011, four titles in the World Rally Championship with the Polo R WRC and two titles in the world touring car championship with the Golf GTI. In addition, the Polo has done well in the Rallycross with three world cups over the past three years. In 2018, the fully electric ID.R was released, with which Volkswagen holds a total of five records. By the way, Volkswagen will continue to supply parts for the Polo GTI R5 and the Golf GTI TCR. Production of the Polo GTI R5 will end at the end of this year.
Within the Volkswagen Group, Audi and Porsche will still be active in racing. Audi will participate in the Dakar Rally with a fully electric rally cannon and will return to Le Mans, but will stop in Formula E. Porsche will remain active in the latter racing class, and that brand will of course also build racing cars such as the 911 RSR and GT3 Cup.