The Fiesta RS WRC for 2017

Cologne, 13 December 2016

Until early December, Ford has unveiled the bleeding new edition of the Fiesta. Only two weeks later a WRC version for the World Rally Championship will be pushed now 2017. We therefore take a first look at the Ford Fiesta RS WRC by M-sport and the future and already very successful crew on board.

New regulations should provide for more voltage

The radically-designed Fiesta RS WRC visually reminiscent of the unleashed Group B cars of the 1980s. But even under the body marked by powerful front and rear wings, the M-sport specialists have left barely a stone on the other. Over 95 percent of all parts were designed completely new or revised. Under the hood sits a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo, which is good and must deal with only 1,190 kg unladen weight now for 380 HP and 450 nm by the new rules for 2017. The power then passes on a sequential six-speed gearbox on a four wheel drive with active controlled Center differential.

Suspension, braking and safety features

The widely adjustable suspension is based on modified MacPherson strut suspension. The special Reiger dampers have an external oil reservoir and can be modified in terms of tensile and compression. Delay is with ventilated disc brakes with four-piston monoblock brake calipers from Brembo. And it comes but once a collision, to protect driver and passenger from a security cell from high-strength steel and reinforced door frame welded to the chassis.

VW crew in the rally Ford

Speaking of occupation: at the wheel of the Fiesta RS WRC the four-time WRC Champion Sébastien Ogier will chair from 2017, which anyway was the WRC after VW from looking for a new job. In the passenger seat, Julien Ingrassia takes place, which was already at VW the Copilot of Ogier. "Our goal for 2017 is clear: we want to win back World Cup rallies", M-sport boss Malcolm Wilson says. We keep our fingers crossed, but with this combination, the chances are not so bad. (ml)

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