English company M-Sport developed an all new version of the Ford Fiesta WRC for the 2017 World Rally Championship technical regulations.
Based on the new road-going Ford Fiesta, the WRC follows in a long line of Rally specification Fiestas which most recently have included R1, R2, R5, S2000 and WRC variants.
The Fiesta has become one of rallying’s most successful models with countless victories and championship laurels around the globe. This year alone, the Ford Fiesta R5 claimed an impressive 159 outright victories – that’s more than any other R5 – as well as countless class wins and a second successive FIA European Rally Championship.
Designed from a completely clean-sheet of paper, M-Sport’s latest challenger adds another string to the Fiesta’s impressive bow and the development team are confident of making a return to the top step of the podium.
The bodywork of the car was solely designed using CFD and features a front and rear splitter, dive planes and a large rear wing.
The engine has been revised to produce 380 bhp and 450 Nm of torque from its bespoke Ecoboost-powered 1600cc direct injection engine and 36 mm inlet restrictor, a newly-designed six-speed sequential gearbox with hydraulic shift runs alongside a multi-disc clutch and an active centre differential offers enhanced control and performance.
Evolving further, redesigned MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers are fully adjustable in bump and rebound, while ventilated brake discs with bespoke four-piston monoblock calipers provide the stopping power.
Improved safety has also formed a key part of the Fiesta WRC’s development. A T45 steel rollcage is welded to the chassis with structural door sill reinforcements.
The presence of enhanced energy absorbing foam has also been significantly increased from 60 litres to a minimum of 95 litres. The crew’s Sparco seats are cocooned by this foam and energy management figures have increased by as much as 20 percent.
M-Sport Head of Engineering, Chris Williams: “A tremendous amount of effort, passion and enthusiasm has gone into this project and there has been a real commitment from our entire team. Designing a brand new car from a completely clean sheet of paper has allowed our team to re-evaluate every single component to produce the lightest and most innovative car possible. We’ve pushed the physical boundaries in all areas and have some very interesting things going on underneath the surface that we are sure are unique to this car and have already improved performance significantly in testing.”
Early testing of the new Ford took place in the UK as well as in continental Europe, images released M-Sport reveal an interim version of the 2017 car, not sporting its full aerodynamic package, though likely fitted with key mechanical components including the new diff package and 380bhp engine.
The official, but rather low key, launch of the new car revealed its full aerodynamic package with front diveplanes and a large rear wing.
From the rear the diffuser, centrally positioned exhaust, rear wing and louvred arch extensions are visible.
A closer look at the diffuser could be had at the launch of the M-Sport Red Bull livery, the diffuser perhaps looks a little smaller than designs seen on other 2017 World Rally Cars.
A look at the front cooling arrangement on the Ford reveals a surprisingly exposed main cooler visible through the lower duct, there are brake cooling ducts either side of it.
At the front of the car two diveplanes are integrated into the front bodywork, in common with all ’17 specification world rally cars.
On the outer edge of the front splitter there is a small turning vane below the front dive planes.
At the rear of the car the unique rear wheel arch of the Ford is clear to see. It features twin dive planes on its leading edge, with the rear brake cooling duct neatly packaged between the two elements. The small hole below the lower element is the jacking point for use in the service park.
At the start of the Monte Carlo Rally the Fords were fitted with an additional lighting package, using an LED lamp pod on the bonnet and small LED clusters integrated into a panel in the front bodywork. Note that the cooling package has received additional protection in the form of a wire mesh in the lower duct. The black panel is an optional blanking for the cold winter conditions of Monte Carlo.
A look from later on during the Monte Carlo rally when temperatures increased, note the blanking has been removed.
A look at the front brake (Brembo) and damper package on the Ford, note the angle of the damper.
The rear brake package during service, note the number of brake cooling pipes feeding the disc and caliper.
