Ford revealed the Fiesta RS World Rally Car at the
Paris Motor Show last week. Developed by Ford of Europe - and its rally partner M-Sport - the show car was finished in a blue and grey livery; the Fiesta will replace the Focus RS WRC.
The Fiesta WRC is based on the Fiesta S2000 rally car, with an engine related to Ford's production 1.6-litre, EcoBoost motor. This engine uses direct fuel injection and turbocharging while the car features four-wheel drive.
The next stage in the rally car's development is a test with the 2011-specification engine on gravel roads in Spain. This will be the first opportunity for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers to try out the new Fiesta.
Next year's Rally Sweden on 10-13 February, the opening event of the FIA World Rally Championship, will mark the Fiesta RS WRC's competition debut. It will be competing with the new
Citroen DS3 WRC and the
MINI Countryman WRC, both of which also made their debuts in Paris.
John Lambert - 4 Oct 2010
