Designed according to next season’s technical regulations, the 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC has been designed from a clean sheet of paper. The CFD-developed aerodynamics, hugely impressive rear wing, and wide stance make the new kid on the block a sight to behold on the world rallying scene.
“Having driven the car myself, I can honestly say that it is one of the most impressive we have ever produced,” said Malcolm Wilson, the big kahuna at M-Sport. “It’s exciting to drive, it sounds fantastic and it looks absolutely sensational.” I agree with both, especially the suck-squeeze-bang-blow action.
According to M-Sport, roughly 95 percent of the vehicle was designed from scratch. With more oomph in mind, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost under the hood delivers 380 brake horsepower and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of get-up-and-go to all four wheels. With the FIA-compliant 36 mm inlet restrictor, M-Sport is adamant that “the sound has to be heard to be believed.” A 6-speed sequential transmission with hydraulic shift runs in on the menu as well.
On the chassis front, MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers will take the grunt of unpaved roads. High-performance ventilated discs with four-piston monoblock calipers shrug the speed off when the going gets twisty. Last, but not least, safety has been improved as well thanks to an FIA-specification T45 steel roll cage with structural door sill reinforcements.
Up to this moment in time, M-Sport racked up almost 7,000 kilometers of testing so that the Fiesta WRC can return to the top step of the podium.