WRC mainclass from 2027

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder how much WRC actually brings to car Manufacturers now anyway, regardless of the technology used.

In the past rallying was a way to show how tough a Manufacturers cars were, or how reliable, or how exciting, or how sporting, or how innovative.

Nowadays the tough and reliable aspect is taken for granted. But how many people are interested in their car being exciting or sporty ? I guess its single percentage points of the market.

So it seems to be up to rallying to show innovation and that's a really tough one. What has it done since 4WD was proven with the Audi Quattro 40 years ago ?

[becher]

.

What has it done since 4WD was proven with the Audi Quattro 40 years ago ?

Lots, but hardly anything was relevant for road cars/the end consumer.

[typhoon]

I was recently reading about the Fiat 500, the EC version built in Mirafiori sold less than 5K and forced Stellantis to go back producing the ICE and add the Hybrid one, in order to save their sales. Considering it's a "city car" and the good amount of charging infrastructures in the main Italian cities, that's a signal that customers in Italy (and probably in Europe) are not yet ready for an EV world.

This is a clear response from the market and I'm glad that WRC Promoter is looking beyond saying that they might be continuing with sustainable fuels and Hybrids for the new regulations. Also, we need to consider that in some continents nobody is ready to buy EV. Look at South/Central America or Africa or even India. Who's gonna buy EVs there?

[saco0o]

but if EU will demand all new cars to be ev by 2035, when should wrc move into that direction? or better... will it? ever?
hearing solid state bateries are on the horizon for cars with double the capacity, fast charge improvements (like, 8 to 10 min to go from 15% to 80%, which they call the optimal status)

[typhoon]

but if EU will demand all new cars to be ev by 2035, when should wrc move into that direction? or better... will it? ever?
hearing solid state bateries are on the horizon for cars with double the capacity, fast charge improvements (like, 8 to 10 min to go from 15% to 80%, which they call the optimal status)

It's more or less like the targets and demands of the Paris climate agreement, we already surpassed 1.5° and anyone have spoken. Money over climate.

Basically the EU rules the automotive industry according to the pressure received by the car manufacturers lobbies (look at where they're offices are located in Bruxelles...) and considering that the manufacturers won't be going 100% EV by then, rules adjustments will come before 2035. No worries about that.

[AndyRAC]

Lots, but hardly anything was relevant for road cars/the end consumer.

Exactly! And there is the issue; it's just not road relevant, and hasn't been for 40 odd years. Other series are/ have been........

[Morte66]

I wonder if the EU requires new cars to be EV by 2035, and that sticks and rally cars are built new in 2035, and they travel on public roads for liaison... Does this mean that's a hard deadline for EV rally cars?

[typhoon]

I wonder if the EU requires new cars to be EV by 2035, and that sticks and rally cars are built new in 2035, and they travel on public roads for liaison... Does this mean that's a hard deadline for EV rally cars?

We're talking about the third homologation cycle from now on, but anyway I guess there would be an exception agreed with the local authorities to let those cars go through the liaison.

[mknight]

I was recently reading about the Fiat 500, the EC version built in Mirafiori sold less than 5K and forced Stellantis to go back producing the ICE and add the Hybrid one, in order to save their sales. Considering it's a "city car" and the good amount of charging infrastructures in the main Italian cities, that's a signal that customers in Italy (and probably in Europe) are not yet ready for an EV world.

Fiat 500 is a perfect example of what I wrote:
- price decides vs petrol
- small EVs are too expensive compared with bigger EVs


If you want cheap small car just about anything petrol is cheaper. If you want EV (or EVs get directly or indirectly subsidized) you can get Tesla 3 or MG4 which both are much bigger for basically same money.

Nothing to do with "not being ready" for EVs.

Even here with 80%+ electric car sales there are close to zero new 500s on the road, but actually quite many of the previous US-only EV version from unofficial imports.

[saco0o]

well, in the end the 2027 rules are probably going to be something like "the puma" (where the actual road car is bigger/suv, but they can downsize the 'looks' for it to fit around the safety cell / rollcage specs) with a little bit of less aero and more 'electric power' coming from the hybrids, right? so eh... all this talk here is always interesting and we all love it, but eh...
i'd be in shock if the 2027 rules are not that suggestion