Clutch in, prod the long sequential gearlever forward and get the revs up and we stutter away until the car gets onto the power, shouts, the transmission whines and it quickly becomes seamless. Takes a bit to get into the fact that you just keep it planted and pull back to change up, push forward to go down the box, but the rest is manna from heaven.

Having been shown the way by the champion earlier, my task was somewhat easier and I'm soon exploring the limits of a wonderfully poised, brilliantly balanced machine. Everything works superbly and soon I find myself into the extreme privilege of driving one of the finest rally cars out there flat out on the racetrack ? even running to the rev limiter in sixth at the end of the quite short main straight.

Suppose that's why Michael was there; frantically waving us down to pull into the pit box next time round. "No you are getting too clever now ? we can't have a journalist buggering our car up," he smiles. I try tell him I'm not just a journalist, but it doesn't work!

The S2000 Polo is a mesmerising and completely composed rally machine. It's perfectly at home on the racetrack albeit that the set-up is not quite right for where we're driving it, but still ? that supreme pedigree comes through ? and then some.

It must be astonishing on the dirt, but I?ll keep that as a dream. One day, just maybe one day?

Thank you Volkswagen ? that's another most significant notch in the belt?

WE LIKE
The ultimate in normally aspirated rally cars
WE DON'T
Nothing.

SAFETY
Race seats & harnesses, integral full roll cage, race overalls, helmet & kit, fire system.

WE SAY
"From the outside it looks like a Polo but that is in reality where the similarity stops. Flared arches, a racey sticker job and insane exhaust note give the game away. Four-wheel acceleration is brutal, it turns sharply and stops on a dime. The cabin is a strictly practical environment with odos, bucket seats and a hydraulic handbrake. 10 out of 10 for functionality." -Stuart Grant
"It's amazing to see what goes into a car like this and sort of explains why rallying is such a spectacular sport to watch. Just a pity there isn't a VW Polo flagship road car that comes anywhere near to this in terms of mechanical set-up. That would certainly turn SA's best rep-car into the stuff of dreams." -Jason Woosey

AT A GLANCE
Engine: Acme of 2-litre race engines = 10
Chassis: Supreme full race office = 9
Transmission: Sequential sensation = 10
Brakes: Supreme, unflappable = 10
Safety: Full race protection = 10
Handling: Poised, predicable, near perfect = 9
Specification: Rally spec = 9
Cabin: Paint 'n pipes = 6
Styling: Chunky, aggressive = 9
Fun Factor: Can?t beat that! = 10

Total: 92

VERDICT
Supreme rally weapon a deserved champion. Again!