Polo Project Drift Is a Ken Block-style Birthday Celebration Video

VW’s small hatch is a firm SA favourite. However, few may guess that the Golf’s little brother turns 50 this year. And the company has created Polo Project Drift to celebrate. This Ken Block-style video features memorable Polo racecars and a look into the future of the brand. Oh, and the best part is that it was shot right here in Gqeberha, South Africa, the current home of Polo production.

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Slip Slidin’ Action

The video was shot in an around Gqeberha, otherwise known as VW town. Rally legend Johan Kristoffersson takes ‘delivery’ of a Polo racecar in the Gqeberha harbour. The Swede has a bit of a play in between the harbour equipment and shipping containers. From there the cars slip and slide on closed off highways, on the Volkswagen test track and at the Volkswagen plant in Kariega. The latter is the site of Polo prdoduction.

The Cars Are The Stars

Polo Project Drift features some of the most successful Polo racecars of all time. Among these are the VW Polo R WRC that was used in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2013. It has a 1,6-litre turbocharged engine with 232 kW and all-wheel drive. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia captured four consecutive drivers’ titles with as well as four manufacturers’ titles. As a result it is one of the most successful rally card of its time.

Other stars include the Polo R Supercar developed for the FIA World Rallycross Championship (FIA RX). It has a fire-breathing 2,0-litre turbocharged engine with over 420 kW. Kristoffersson drove it to the FIA RX drivers’ world championship and Volkswagen secured the team title in 2017 and 2018. The Polo RX1e is an all-electric racecar developed for the FIA RX. Two electric motors together deliver 500 kW and 880 Nm of torque. Kristoffersson won the world championship with the Polo RX1e in 2022 and 2023.