FIA approved a new World Rally Car technical regulations for 2017 onwards, yesterday at World Motorsport Council meet in Mexico city. Dramat...
FIA approved a new World Rally Car technical regulations for 2017 onwards, yesterday at World Motorsport Council meet in Mexico city. Dramatic and individual aero package to deliver exciting new look is what been quoted. Engine power has been dramatically increased to 380+bhp, with an upgrade of the turbo restrictor from 33mm to 36mm. Other than that, the engine capacity and much of the powertrain remains the same as present ones. Also the newer 2017 homologated cars can be 25kgs lesser than the existing 1200kg of minimum weight requirement. Above is a render of how the future cars would look like.
Here is the complete press release from the federation,
Dynamic, distinctive, powerful and looking potent, that’s the new
World Rally Car set to bring the FIA World Rally Championship stages
alight from 2017. The outline principles of the new technical and
homologation regulations, approved by the World Motor Sport Council in
Mexico City today, are an evolution of the current 2014-2016 regulations
but will deliver more of what the fans want to see: an increase in
power hidden under a more individual and dramatic body that exudes the
spirit of motorsport competition.
“Defining the principles has been an extensive but very rewarding
process,” said Jarmo Mahonen, FIA Rally Director. “All of the sport’s
stakeholders have been involved to ensure we meet commercial, marketing
and promotional objectives, while at the same time recognising what our
fans want to see. The cars will look dramatic and have more character;
such are the freedoms we hope to see defined in the final technical
regulations. Seeing one of these cars in action will really set the
heart racing and that’s exactly what was intended.”
The 2017 regulations see enhancements to the engine, and the visual
impact created by an all-new aerodynamic package will dramatically
enrich the spectacle of these cars and provide far greater diversity.
The 1.6 litre turbo engine is retained but the power will be increased
up to the level of the WTCC race cars. The diameter of the turbo
restrictor will be increased from 33mm to 36mm while the turbo pressure
remains at a maximum 2.5b absolute. The minimum weight of the car has
also been reduced by 25 kilograms.
Greater freedom will also be afforded with the aerodynamics, setting
this World Rally Car aside from many of its recent predecessors. A free
zone defined around the bodyshell of the production car could see a
front bumper overhang by an additional 60mm, potentially also with
additional aero devices ahead of the front wheels, while the rear
overhang can be increased by an extra 30mm. Bigger door sills will also
be permitted. The fixed rear wing can be dramatically increased in size
and while the rear diffuser will have maximum permitted dimensions, the
shape will be free and may protrude up to 50mm from the rear bumper. The
WRC car will be issued from a production car from which the overall
homologated length must be greater than or equal to 3.9 metres,
potentially adding further opportunities for manufacturers.
"I think that the ideas for the look and performance of the 2017 car
are great news,” said Volkswagen Motorsport’s double FIA World Rally
Champion Sébastien Ogier. “As a racing driver you are always looking for
more performance. I think the larger wing and new aerodynamics will
give the car a bit more downforce, more grip and more speed going into
the corners. This is also good for the show, because the extra power
will definitely make the driving more spectacular for the fans. And it
will also make the car look a bit more aggressive with a wider body - I
am really looking forward to seeing the next generation of the Polo R
WRC."
The other manufacturers’ representatives currently competing in the
FIA World Rally Championship were equally enthusiastic and similarly
united about the prospect of exciting new regulations for 2017.
Yves Matton, Director of Citroën Racing, said: “We are very excited
with the new look of the world rally car from 2017. It is difficult for
us to say if we will commit to this Championship at that time, but all I
can say is that the cars will look absolutely amazing. They will bear
more technological aspects and lead the audience to their dream. The
wings and the bumpers will be redesigned in order to attain a larger
maximum width, and a larger rear wing will also bring a more aggressive
look to the vehicles. We believe this will create more excitement for
the public in the stages, but they will still be able to recognise the
road car model they can drive on a day-to-day basis.”
Michel Nandan, Team Principal at Hyundai Motorsport: “WRC has
benefited from stable regulations for the past few years, which have
been good for companies like Hyundai coming into the sport. The current
rules have afforded us flexibility and ease in adapting the standard
road car to develop it into a WRC specification. The changes for 2017
are, however, even more ‘manufacturer appropriate’ in that we have even
more freedom to work on the car, for example on the suspension, and to
push the design envelope of the car, which will consequently be more
powerful, larger and look more aggressive. All in all, it will be
another positive step forward to improve the value of the WRC and to
take the sport into an exciting new era.”
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE: “These new regulations
mark the start of an exciting new era for the FIA World Rally
Championship. Not only will the 2017 cars look a lot more spectacular,
but we will also see an increase in power and performance. The concept
really does remind me of the Group B days. When you combine the
exhilaration of that era with the fantastic safety measures that the FIA
have worked to implement, this marks the start of a thrilling new
chapter for the WRC. Although the cars will look completely different
and there will be some substantial work on the bodyshell, a number of
key components can be enhanced and carried over from our current car.
From a financial point of view, a number of parts that we are currently
working to develop can be taken a step further and the whole team is
really looking forward to getting started on this new project.”
Toyota will also return to the WRC in 2017 with a team known as
Toyota Gazoo Racing, reflecting the shared identity of the Japanese
manufacturer’s other international motorsport activities. “We are
excited about the challenge of coming back to the WRC. By inviting Tommi
Mäkinen for our WRC project, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s development
structure has been even more strengthened. Under his leadership
experience, the team will proceed with car building based on 2017
regulations.”
Summarising the work collectively achieved in defining the world
rally car of the future, FIA Technical Director Bernard Niclot said:
“There were three main objectives with these regulations; make the car
spectacular, be mindful of costs, and maintain, if not increase safety.
The cars will be striking, there is no doubt about that, and there are
small but always significant improvements in relation to safety. We have
been attentive to the level of investment for manufacturers currently
involved in the Championship and these regulations have also helped
attract Toyota back to the series which is fantastic news. I think we
have achieved our targets in helping to add yet more value to the WRC.”
While the new cars are set to hit the stages from 2017, WRC cars
homologated between 2011 and 2016 will remain eligible in the FIA World
Rally Championship but will not be updated to meet the 2017 Technical
Regulations. The homologation of a 2017 World Rally Car will be
completed only after a Manufacturer has registered for the 2017
Championship for Manufacturers.
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