Skoda Citygo Rally for production?

The Skoda Citigo Rally concept has received a very favourable response from visitors to Reifnitz for the Wörthersee Tour over the weekend.

According to Skoda, "The public’s reaction at the Wörthersee meeting was overwhelming in that a large majority would like to see this concept car in series production."

Now in its 31st year, the annual Wörthersee Tour in Austria was home to a number of hot hatch reveals from the VW Group, including the Volkswagen Polo WRC Street concept car and the Golf GTI ConceptWhite.

But it was the Skoda Citigo Rally car, another 'design concept' that could replace the company's Fabia S2000 rally car, that set tongues wagging. Fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, a wide body kit, gargantuan rear diffuser and rear wing, plus a reworked front fascia with a gaping air intake (and giant intercooler), the Skoda Citigo Rally car makes a strong visual impression.

Inside, the compact Skoda hot hatch concept is fitted with a roll cage and sports seats, while simple, light weight fittings and switchgear replace standard issue equipment.

This new concept could have significance for the local market, despite Volkswagen Australia not yet officially confirming the Citigo for Australia, simply saying the car is "Still on the wishlist". An inside source at VW told motoring.com.au that a deal is almost done and an announcement for the car's local arrival could be made at the Australian International Motor Show in mid October.

Other metal on show included the obligatory Golf GTI concept, the ConceptWhite, which is a given considering the Wörthersee Tour was originally a meeting for Volkswagen Golf GTI aficionados.

Described as a 'design study' the concept Golf GTI ConceptWhite gets a matte white paint job, new wheels and bespoke interior trimmed in Nappa leather upholstery.

Another important model to be revealed at Wörthersee 2012 was the Volkswagen Polo R WRC street concept. Joined by the Polo R WRC road-going prototype the 'street' concept previews a production car that is rumoured to be rolling off production lines in late 2013.

According to the Volkswagen media statement, the Polo R WRC Street concept will be powered by a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine outputting 162kW, and will be fitted with plenty of performance extras such as sports suspension and a rear spoiler and is designed to pay homage to the full house WRC version.

Speaking of which, the Polo R WRC road-going prototype (the one with the wide body kit and giant rear wing) was also on show, powered by a smaller 1.6-litre TSI engine that outputs more power, to the tune of 220kW. Volkswagen reckons the red hot rally prototype will go from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds.

The Volkswagen group also showed off a handful of Seat-badged hot hatches, such as the Ibiza Cupra concept, Lean Cupra R and WTCC Leon Super Copa race car. The Skoda Citigo/VW Up! based Mii city car was also on show.

Photos of Worthersee Festival at motoring.com.au

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...