F.-X. Demaison: “The day there are rallies with electric cars, we will be there”

It's been a year since the Polo R5 appeared in competition. First of all, from a marketing point of view, are you satisfied?

We are very happy with the sales and the order book is full. Everything we are able to produce next year will be sold.

And what about performance? She even obtained her first titles this year.

We had some issues that ruined the first few months, but we managed to resolve them all. I think the performance is there, but it remains Customer competition. It's always better if it wins, but our priority is that customers are happy and that the Polo retains attractive resale value.

Have you planned any developments?

We first worked to make it more reliable and easier to operate. Developments were not our priority. We have some arriving, but it’s for reliability above all. The goal is for it to be more solid, for the life of the parts to be extended.

We are working on this. Regarding performance, we will see in two years if we need to do an “Evo” package. We have things in the pipeline that are possible. We are preparing, because if we want to release them at the end of 2020, we will have to work in the coming months.

Le WRC will evolve towards hybrid, then the R5 should experience the same fate in the years to come. Will this interest Volkswagen?

The hybrid WRC is not a target for us at all. The day there are rallies with electric cars, we will be there... but there may not be many people to come with us. The brand is turning towards electric so the sports programs must be of the same order. Hybrid is not enough.