FIA World Rally Champions Volkswagen Motorsport have unveiled their 2016 title challenger which features further evolution on a already impressive Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

Three-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier returns with Julien Ingrassia by his side along with Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila; Andreas Mikkelsen is joined by new co-driver Anders Jæger for the 2016 season. [Read more about Mikkelsens 2016 hopes here]

“We are about to defend our world championship title for the third time in a row,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “The opposition has not been sleeping, and has modified its cars for the new season. So have we, of course: the changes to the Polo R WRC are basically fine-tuning and detailed improvements to make the world championship-winning car even better.

“You have to bear in mind that the regulations in the World Rally Championship only allow a few modifications within a homologation period. Thanks to this stability, it is possible to challenge for the title for several years with an existing car, making only detailed improvements. That is precisely our goal for 2016.”

Among the fine tuning includes a strengthened front subframe along with strengthened rear-axle wishbones for the gravel specification of the Polo R WRC. The pistons in the 318 bhp engin have also been optimised to squeeze as much power from the near-identical powerplant that took them to victory in 2015.

There are some changes to the bodywork at the front of the car too, giving it a more striking appearance for the 2016 season.

Check out the video below of a recent test which saw Jari-Matti Latvala putting the car through its paces.