The Motor Report wites:
THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP could be set for a massive boost after it was revealed Fiat and Volkswagen are poised to enter the series next season.

WRC has struggled in the wake of the global financial crisis, with Suzuki and Subaru withdrawing from the championship at the end of last season, leaving the series with only two manufacturers, Ford and Citroen.

However, if the arrival of Fiat and Volkswagen eventuates, the two companies can be expected to give the series a massive boost thanks to their resources and huge global supporter base.

News of the potential new entries into the world of WRC was confirmed by Neil Duncanson, Chief Executive Officer of series owner North One, a British television production company.

“I’ve got one or two (manufacturers) who I think will come in. I don’t want more than four (manufacturers competing in total) because any more than that and they can’t win,” he said to the Financial Times.

Although the reduced cost of competing in WRC compared to Formula 1 is an attraction to manufacturers, Duncanson believes the reason for the arrival of up to two new manufacturers lies in the close resemblance between rally cars and their on-road counterparts.

As a result, Duncanson said the marketing potential of rallying for surpasses that provided by most alternative racing categories.

“The manufacturers find themselves in a much better position because we are selling the real cars,” he said.

The arrival of Fiat in WRC may also have real ramifications for Formula 1 as rumours surrounding the future of Kimi Raikkonen refuse to subside.

Ferrari is believed to have secured the services of Fernando Alonso and sponsor Santander next season, but is unable to announce any deal until a buy-out agreement is arranged with Raikkonen.

However, with the prospect of a factory WRC seat with Fiat a real possibility, Raikkonen may be persuaded to accelerate his move to rallying, while remaining under the company’s corporate banner.

Interestingly, Raikkonen competed at the recent Rally Finland at the wheel of a Fiat Grande Punto S2000.

via WRC Poised For Arrival Of Fiat And Volkswagen | The Motor Report: Auto News And Reviews.

Photographer: Andrew Gail

Static shot of a stunning Candy white VW Golf  taken at a Scottish VAG Day at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, Scotland.

This wallpaper is available for download in a number of resolutions, click to preview or right-click and choose “Save Target As”/”Save Link As” to save.

Widescreen – 1920x1200

Widescreen – 1280x800

Fullscreen – 1600x1200

Fullscreen – 1280x1024

Fullscreen – 1280x960

Fullscreen – 1024x768

HDTV – 1080p

HDTV – 720p

Photographer: Andrew Gail

Static shot of a VW Corrado taken at a Scottish VAG Day at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, Scotland.

This wallpaper is available for download in a number of resolutions, click to preview or right-click and choose “Save Target As”/”Save Link As” to save.

Widescreen – 1920x1200

Widescreen – 1280x800

Fullscreen – 1600x1200

Fullscreen – 1280x1024

Fullscreen – 1280x960

Fullscreen – 1024x768

HDTV – 1080p

HDTV – 720p

Dual Monitor – 2560x1024

Photographer: Andrew Gail

Static shot of a VW Lupo taken at a Scottish VAG Day at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, Scotland.

This wallpaper is available for download in a number of resolutions, click to preview or right-click and choose “Save Target As”/”Save Link As” to save.

Widescreen – 1920x1200

Widescreen – 1280x800

Fullscreen – 1600x1200

Fullscreen – 1280x1024

Fullscreen – 1280x960

Fullscreen – 1024x768

HDTV – 1080p

HDTV – 720p

Dual Monitor – 2560x1024

Photographer: Andrew Gail

Static shot of a MK1 VW Golf taken at a Scottish VAG Day at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, Scotland.

This wallpaper is available for download in a number of resolutions, click to preview or right-click and choose “Save Target As”/”Save Link As” to save.

Widescreen – 1920x1200

Widescreen – 1280x800

Fullscreen – 1600x1200

Fullscreen – 1280x1024

Fullscreen – 1280x960

Fullscreen – 1024x768

HDTV – 1080p

HDTV – 720p

Due to its size power will be drawn from an efficient mid mounted 4 cylinder engine, most likely to be the 200bhp Volkswagen/Audi 2.0 TFSi with a tuned version likely to arrive shortly after its release in 2013.

Read more at Auto Express

The Basics

Let’s go through a quick run down of the specs:

• 6.0l W12 (12 Cylinder) Twin Turbo
• 650PS (641bhp) & 553lb-ft of torque
• 0 to 62 in 3.7 seconds
• Claimed top speed of 202mph
• Wheels and tyres are 235/19″ front and 295/19″ at the back
• 70mm Lower
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Wide arch kit

GTI W12 Engine

The new GTI is powered by the same 6 litre W12 engine as found in the VW Phaeton but has been fettled and breathed on to produce an extra 200PS (197bhp) and 147lb-ft of torque. The engine block is made from aluminium to reduce weight and with the W configuration (think two V6 engines side by side) the W12 is compact as well, measuring only 51cm deep, 71cm wide and 72cm high. For all its compact size, the VW engineers still decided to mount the engine in the back seat making the GTI W12 mid-engined, with all 641bhp going to the rear wheels via a six speed automatic transmission.

GTI W12 Body

At 6.2 feet tall and 4.7 feet wide the GTI W12 has an imposing presence. The car is 160mm wider than a standard GTI and sits 70mm lower with massive 19″ alloys (235 fronts & 295 rears) tucked under the flared arches of the wide body kit. Large side inlets feed air to the engine compartment to keep it cool and the roof is constructed from carbon fibre with and forms an integrated rear diffuser, this provides a the down force needed to provide the rear wheels with grip at speed and avoids the need to fit a large rear wing.

GTI W12 Gallery