Excluding some rather insane dragsters, the cars used in the Global Rallycross series are amongst the quickest accelerating vehicles on four wheels.
In ideal conditions, a GRC car can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 1.9 seconds, making them faster off the line than a Formula One car. But what makes them so rapid?
Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained recently found out while attending a GRC event. For starters, the cars are immensely powerful. In fact, their turbocharged 2.0-liter engines churn out around 600 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
Next, all GRC entrants use an advanced all-wheel drive system and complex limited-slip differentials at both the front and rear. When combined with sticky BFGoodrich tires made exclusively for the racing series, the cars fire off the line much quicker than any production car.
The final factor in ensuring a sub-2.0 second sprint of course involves the driver getting the launch absolutely perfect. When they do, it’s enough to make other cars shudder with fear.