Autosport Awards
AUTOSPORT Awards 2014: Volkswagen Polo R WRC
Volkswagen's all-conquering Polo R WRC claimed the Rally Car of the Year honours at the 2014 AUTOSPORT Awards
The award was accepted by VW Motorsport boss Jost Capito, who received it from 2015 Toro Rosso Formula 1 signings Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr.
When asked if a third consecutive title is on the cards in 2015, Capito said: "We are working hard for next year and it should be [achievable]."
VW had already taken a title hat-trick in the first year of the Polo programme in 2013, but it stepped up another gear this season, with lead drivers Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala between them taking victory in 12 of the WRC's 13 rounds.
Only the drivers' mistakes in Germany prevented a clean sweep, as Ogier, Latvala and team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen filled the top three positions in the championship. Runaway manufacturers' and teams' titles also headed VW's way once again.
All three drivers have re-signed for 2015, when VW will again start the WRC as championship favourite.
The Polo's opposition for the AUTOSPORT Award included its WRC rivals from Citroen, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford, the Porsche 911 that is spearheading the FIA's R-GT push and the Dakar-winning Mini.
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