Volkswagen decides to end all factory programmes featuring internal combustion engines
Volkswagen will end its factory support of all programmes using internal combustion engines after implementing a motorsport strategy focused on electric mobility.
In a statement released last week, Volkswagen said its motorsport division’s “clear emphasis on fully electric racing cars” would be complemented by a “farewell” to all regular programmes, which would include stopping the production of its Golf GTI
TCR car at the end of this year.
Explaining the decision to adopt an electric-only strategy, Volkswagen Motorsport director Sven Smeets said motorsport could be used as a “trailblazer” for the development of electric vehicles.
Volkswagen said its ID.R electric prototype – which has set outright records at Pikes Peak, Goodwood and on the Tianmen Mountain, and also holds the Nurburgring
Nordschleife electric record – would continue to take over the “role as a technological pioneer”.
It will also work on new projects for its ID. family of cars, which will be developed around the same Modular Electric
Drive Toolkit that a number of its electric production vehicles will be based on.
“Innovative technology relevant to the car of the future is our focus,” said Smeets.
A spokesperson confirmed the decision will bring an immediate end to the development of a new TCR car based on the Mk8 Golf, and Volkswagen Motorsport’s alliance with the Sebastien
Loeb Racing World Touring
Car Cup team.
Volkswagen’s Polo GTI R5 model “remains an integral part of Volkswagen Motorsport’s customer sport offering” and will continue to be produced, but factory-backed entries will no longer be lodged.