Skip to main content

Volkswagen to cease all non-electric motor sports programs

Volkswagen is ceasing all motor sports ventures that incorporate an internal combustion engine, according to a statement released Friday. The move further underlines VW’s commitment to electric vehicles (EVs), and comes as a surprise to the motor sports world, as this decision affects racing series from the World Rally Championship to the World Touring Car Championship. The switch seems to only effect Volkswagen-branded vehicles and not Porsche or Audi.

“Volkswagen is resolutely committing to e-mobility and will say goodbye to factory-backed commitments using internal combustion engines,” sais Frank Welsch, member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand.

Sven Smeets, motorsport director for VW, had further comments: “Electric mobility offers enormous development potential, and in this regard, motor sport can be a trailblazer: On the one hand, it serves as a dynamic laboratory for the development of future production cars and, on the other, as a convincing marketing platform to inspire people even more toward electric mobility. That is why we are going to focus more than ever on factory-backed electric drive commitments and continue to expand our activities with the development of the MEB. Innovative technology relevant to the car of the future is our focus.”

The production of the Golf GTI TCR for the racetrack will expire at the end of 2019, and a successor based on the new generation will not be offered. Customer service and spare parts supply will be guaranteed in the long term. In the World Rally Championship, customer cars will continue to be built and parts supplied, however, there will be no official factory involvement. The same will be true for the Sebastien Loeb Racing World Touring Car Cup team.

VW is no stranger to fielding successful electric-powered race cars. It currently holds records at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the Tianmen Mountain Hillclimb. The new ID.R electric prototype also holds a lap record at the Nürburgring.

Curiously, it was just two days ago that VW’s U.S. media site announced a 2020 project by Rhys Millen Racing to field a Class 7 (midsized pickup truck) for the Baja 1000 featuring a 2.0-liter internal combustion engine used by the former VW Polo WRC car. The vehicle is scheduled to be driven by Tanner Foust, a VW brand ambassador and championship-winning race driver. Phone calls to Rhys Millen went unanswered.

John Elkin
Worked for many off road and rally and sports car publications throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Decided to go look for a…
Rivian R1T gets estimated 410 miles of range with Dual-Motor powertrain, Max Pack battery
People and a dog standing in front of a Rivian R1T electric pickup truck.

The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck now gets 410 miles of range with the new Max Pack battery and Dual-Motor powertrain, the company claims.

Rivian posted range estimates for the Max Pack, which is not available with Rivian's Quad-Motor powertrain, on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday, but those haven't been confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 410-mile range estimate applies to trucks with 21-inch wheels. Opting for 22-inch wheels knocks the estimated range down to 380 miles. The available 20-inch wheel and all-terrain tire combination — which helps maximize the R1T's impressive off-road capability — brings a further range reduction, to 355 miles.

Read more
Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Which electric sedan is best?
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There are finally some more electric sedan options. For years, the Tesla Model 3 was really the only good electric sedan that comes at a reasonable price -- until, Hyundai recently launched the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 certainly takes some cues from the larger Ioniq 5, but is smaller and sleeker, with a design seemingly inspired by the Porsche 911.

But the Tesla Model 3 is still clearly an excellent option for those looking for an electric car, and who don't want a larger crossover. Which is better? Here's a look.
Design
The exterior design of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite different. If you've seen a Tesla car before, then you'll immediately recognize the Model 3 -- it looks largely like a slightly different version of every other Tesla (except the Cybertruck).

Read more
Scout Motors Electric SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more
Scout SUV Teaser

There's another electric SUV on the way, and this one comes with a familiar name. Volkswagen is reviving the classic Scout name for a new electric SUV that's billed as being an "RUV," or a rugged utility vehicle. And, it could well prove itself as the best electric SUV in its price range, when it does finally come out.

The new EV isn't due out for quite some time, but there's already a fair bit that we know about it. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Scout SUV.
Design
There's very little we actually know about the Scout SUV so far, but we do know a little about the eventual design. A few teasers for the upcoming vehicle have been released, showing sketches of both the SUV and the accompanying pickup truck, along with what's presumably the front of the SUV -- though in a dark environment, with little detail.

Read more