After making its motorshow debut in Frankfurt this past September, the new Volkswagen Polo R WRC completed its first laps today in the hands of two-time World Rally Champion and Dakar winner Carlos Sainz and Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the VW Board of Management for Technology.

The four-wheel drive WRC Polo R that is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine delivering an output of about 300-horses was tested in the vineyards of Veldenz near Trier, which normally plays host to the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Hackenberg and Sainz, both with co-driver Timo Gottschalk on their side, were able to drive the car for close to 100 kilometers (62 miles) on the 2.8km-long tarmac circuit.

After the completion of the tests, Carlos Sainz commented: “I immensely enjoy being involved in the development and testing of the new Polo R WRC – and having the privilege of driving the first kilometres is naturally a great honour. The car is still in an early stage but already feels very good.”

The Polo R WRC is scheduled to compete the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2013 onward.

“The first Polo represents a preliminary stage of the subsequent rally car and during the upcoming months will serve as a test vehicle for various components such as engines, gearboxes or suspension parts,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

“Next year we’ll be running an extensive testing programme on tarmac, gravel, mud and snow in order to prepare ourselves for the 2013 season as best we can,” he added.

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