World Rally Car

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Subaru Impreza WRC

World Rally Car is a term used to describe the racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Technical regulations mandate that World Rally Cars must be built upon a production car with a minimum of 2500 units, based on a pre-existing Group A model, to which a number of modifications may be added, including but not limited to increasing engine capacity to 2.0 litres, adding a turbocharger, four wheel drive, active differential, sequential gearbox and aerodynamic apendages.

However, unlike Group A, manufacturers are no longer required to build "Homologation Specials" in order to meet approval. The base model need not have the characteristics of the WRC, as evidenced from cars such the Peugeot 206 and 307, Citroën Xsara, or the Skoda Fabia, which have no road car with a turbocharged petrol engine or four wheel drive.

To limit power, all forced inducted (turbo) cars are fitted with a restrictor, which is a cylinder with a diameter of 34 mm placed in the inlet before the turbo. Although the restrictor is intended to limit the power to 300 bhp, most works cars (vehicles on a racing team supported directly by the vehicle manufacturer) are rumoured to have around 400 bhp. The cars are further modified for greater torque, and greater rigidity with rollcage and other chassis strengthening measures. Before each rally, the competing cars are fitted with suspension and tyres along with different differential settings to suit the conditions of the many stages, which may take place on asphalt roads, gravel and dirt roads of varying consistency, and even frozen snow-covered roads on some rallies held in relatively cold climates.

The Cars

World Rally Cars

Manufacturer Car From To
22px-Flag of France.png Citroën C4 WRC 2007 2010
22px-Flag of France.png Citroën Xsara WRC 2001 2006
22px-Flag of the United States.png Ford Escort WRC 1997 1998
22px-Flag of the United States.png Ford Focus WRC 1999 2010
22px-Flag of South Korea.svg.png Hyundai Accent WRC 2000 2003
22px-Flag of Japan.png Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC 2001 2003
22px-Flag of Japan.png Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 2004 2005
22px-Flag of France.png Peugeot 206 WRC 1999 2003
22px-Flag of France.png Peugeot 307 WRC 2004 2005
22px-Flag of Spain.png SEAT Cordoba WRC 1998 2000
22px-Flag of the Czech Republic.png Škoda Fabia WRC 2003 2006
22px-Flag of the Czech Republic.png Škoda Octavia WRC 1999 2003
22px-Flag of Japan.png Subaru Impreza WRC 1997 2008
22px-Flag of Japan.png Suzuki SX4 WRC 2007 2008
22px-Flag of Japan.png Toyota Corolla WRC 1997 1999


External links

  • Photos of World Rally Cars 2006 in Monaco