2014 Rallycross championship will see the three-time title winner and the host of Top Gear USA Tanner Foust in a brand-new car and a brand-new team. The team is Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross (VARX), and the car in question is a Beetle Rallycross!
A Beetle race car was one of the things we never thought we’d see. But here it is, and it has a good chance of going places in the hands of the driving super hero that is Tanner Foust. What’s more, the car is very well-equipped for the job, boasting a special version of the turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 TSI engine with 560 horsepower, and competition-spec four-wheel-drive.
Tanner will start 2014 season behind the wheel of a Polo, which he has become very accustomed to, and then switch to the Rockstar Energy Drink Beetle. He is confident the Beetle is going to be a formidable rallycross machine.
“I know what the Polo has to offer because I’ve been door-to-door with it for two years. It’s a great car,” said Foust. “The Beetle is going to be hard to beat. The drive and passion that the Volkswagen and VARX engineers have shown in the development of this car is just awesome and I can’t wait to drive the most ferocious Beetle ever!”
As part fo his new contract with Volkswagen, Tanner Foust will also drive a Volkswagen in select events in the new FIA World Rallycross Championship with Marklund Motorsport.