Sebastien Ogier got Volkswagen's new World Rally program off to a great start by topping the first stage of the 2013 season opener in Monte Carlo.
In his first rally back at the top level since leaving Citroen at the end of 2011, Ogier beat World Champion Sebastien Loeb's Citroen by 3.7 seconds.
The French duo already have a gap back to their rivals, with nearest pursuers Dani Sordo and Mikko Hirvonen 20sec down on Ogier in the other Citroens.
Evgeny Novikov is the top Ford in fifth, followed by Qatar M-Sport teammate Thierry Neuville and the second VW of Jari-Matti Latvala.
Stage one began dry, but its latter miles featured snow and ice.