The World Rally Championship is set to embark on a new era next season, complete with new regulations that call for a new generation of rally cars – like the new Ford Fiesta you see here.
Now if you’re thinking that Ford withdrew from the WRC years ago, you are correct. But its longtime partner M-Sport (which also developed the Continental GT3 with Bentley) kept in the game supporting the existing Fiesta, and now it’s developing a new one.
Pictured here testing on gravel for the first time, the 2017 Ford Fiesta RS WRC is the product of a clean-sheet redesign and a solid year of development. In accordance with the FIA’s new regulations, it’s a good couple of inches wider, 22 pounds (~10kg) lighter, and with more latitude to fine-tune the aero package. Power comes from an EcoBoost engine that, thanks to a new 36-millimeter restrictor, produces 60 more horsepower than the current car, for a total of 380 hp.
“This is only the first prototype but the speed really is incredible,” said M-Sport chief Malcon Wilson after taking to the wheel. “We’re still fine-tuning the aero-package with our colleagues at Ford, but we have been able to run all of the mechanical components on the current bodyshell and the first tests have only strengthened my confidence in our ability to produce a winning car.”
The new Fiesta RS will have some serious competition to contend with, though. Volkswagen has proven the team to beat with its Polo R. Citroën is preparing to return with a new C3. Hyundai is keen to make its mark with the i20. And Toyota is back in the fray as well with its new Yaris. Just which will prove the dominant force in the next era of rallying remains to be seen, but we’re looking forward to finding out.
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