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Skoda has ruled out running rebranded Volkswagen Polos in the World Rally Championship next season following the manufacturer's withdrawal from the series.

In the wake of Volkswagen's shock exit - announced two days after it secured a fourth straight manufacturers' title - there was talk the VW Group could transfer the well-developed and homologation-ready 2017-specification Polo R WRC to sister firm Skoda.

Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier told Autocar there are no plans for the Czech firm to run a World Rally Car in the sport's top flight.

Maier said: "It will not happen. We have enjoyed success in rallying and we are enjoying success in rallying, in the WRC2 category.

"We have a successful customer programme that doesn't cost us money and could earn us the championship, so why would I change that?

"Doing more is not always better - what would we bring ourselves in addition to what we are already achieving in rallying?

"A WRC2 championship is fine for Skoda - certainly it provides the best return on money invested, because it does not really cost us."

Skoda's Esapekka Lappi is chasing the WRC2 title in Australia this week, but even if the Finn fails to secure the top three spot he needs to be champion, a Fabia R5 will take the title courtesy of privateer Teemu Suninen.