2013 marks the debut of Volkswagen in the World Rally Championship. The automaker fielded a couple of their Polo R WRC rally cars and one of them has managed to finish in second place at the Rally Monte Carlo.

After months of preparation and testing, the team's efforts have certainly paid off. Behind the wheel of the second placed car was Sebastien Ogier and his co-driver, Julien Ingrassia.

Volkswagen motorsport director, Jost Capito, spoke after the rally event and he mentioned that finishing second place in the first ever rally was something more that the team could have expected.

He also added that the Rally Monte Carlo was the most complex event in the season calendar and the team has shown that they are ready for the WRC.

Finishing in first place was Sebastien Loeb in his Citroen and Loeb's team mate Dani Sordo came in third. Volkswagen's other car, piloted by Jari-Matti Latvala retired from the race after crashing in some snow covered sections at the Col de Turini stage.

The Polo R WRC rally car is based on the humble Polo hatchback. But it received an aerodynamic bodykit and a WRC-spec 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which delivers around 300bhp, even with an air restrictor fitted.

The next stage, which is the Rally Sweden, will kick off on February 7th.