New Ford Puma Rally1 Is A Plug-in Hybrid SUV For WRC That Replaces The Fiesta

M-Sport unveiled the brand new Ford Puma Rally1 car for the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship, bringing electrified performance into the mix as specified by the new regulations. The rally car that replaces the Fiesta WRC, launches at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the form of a development prototype before making its racing debut at the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally in January.

According to the new regulations, all 2022 WRC cars will be plug-in hybrids allowing for increased power output and electric-only mobility when driving through cities and service packs between the racing stages. Furthermore, instead of gasoline, they will use sustainable fossil-free fuel blending synthetic and biodegradable elements.

In this context, the Puma Rally1 is fitted with the same turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine used by its predecessors, but in this case, combined with an electric motor producing an extra 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) boost for up to three seconds. The energy is stored in a 3.9 kWh battery that can be recharged either by regeneration during braking and coasting, or by an external power source at the service points in just 25 minutes. The liquid and air-cooled plug-in hybrid system weighing 95 kg (209 lbs), is protected by a ballistic-strength casing resistant to debris and possible crashes.

On the outside, the Puma Rally1 has received a series of modifications compared to the production variant. For starters, it is significantly lowered, losing its SUV stance while sitting on white multispoke racing wheels. The aggressive aero package under the camouflage-like wrap, includes wider front and rear fenders, a new grille, a pronounced splitter, a roof scoop, and a huge rear wing. As a result, the Rally1 looks like a beast, even when we compare it to the performance-oriented Ford Puma ST.

See Also: New Ford Puma ST Gold Is What Europeans Think A Special Edition Should Look Like

It might sound weird that an SUV-based rally car replaces the Ford Fiesta WRC (2017-2021) and its predecessor the Fiesta RS WRC (2011-2016), but we shouldn’t forget that the Puma shares its platform with the Fiesta and Ford grasped the opportunity to promote the popular B-SUV through WRC. After all, the Puma nameplate is not new to rallying as the previous Fiesta-based coupe (1997-2002) participated in the Junior WRC series.

Malcolm Wilson OBE, former rally driver and current managing director at M-Sport said: “The new era of WRC cars is one of the biggest technological advancements in WRC to date. The introduction of the hybrid means that the cars will be more powerful than ever whilst also directly reflecting the powertrains within their road-going counterparts. The switch to the Puma is very exciting with the name already having rally heritage, the car looks fantastic and I cannot wait to see it at the start line of the famous Monte Carlo Rally in early 2022.”

The M-Sport Puma Rally1 prototype will be driven at the Goodwood hill climb by M-Sport Ford WRT driver Adrien Fourmaux and M-Sport Ford test driver Matthew Wilson, before continuing its development for the 2022 season. Among its competitors will be the updated Toyota Yaris WRC and Hyundai i20 WRC which will also gain hybrid powetrains.