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M-Sport Introduces 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC

2017 Ford Fiesta WRC by M-Sport 13 photos
Photo: M-Sport
2017 Ford Fiesta WRC by M-Sport2017 Ford Fiesta WRC by M-Sport2017 Ford Fiesta WRC by M-Sport2017 Ford Fiesta range, left to right: Active, ST Line, Vignale, Titanium2017 Ford Fiesta ST Line2017 Ford Fiesta Titanium2017 Ford Fiesta live in Cologne2017 Ford Fiesta2017 Ford Fiesta interior2017 Ford Fiesta driving2017 Ford Fiesta panoramic sunroof2017 Ford Fiesta Active
Running the Ford WRC team cars since the 1997 season, M-Sport is key to the Blue Oval’s ambitions in the World Rally Championship. For 2017, the Dovenby-based company and racing team took to modify the all-new Fiesta to challenge for victories.
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.

 

Introducing the all-new Ford Fiesta WRC. Based on the recently-unveiled, road-going Ford Fiesta, this innovation with spearhead our campaign in the eagerly anticipated 2017 FIA World Rally Championship. We cannot wait to start this exciting new era, and we're determined to make a return to the top-step of the podium! #WRC #FordPerformance

A photo posted by M-Sport Ltd. (@msportltd) on Dec 9, 2016 at 10:42am PST

 

#fordfiestawrc2017 #wrc #flatout #testing @msportltd @elfynevans

A video posted by =B>H:0 (@rourebel) on Nov 6, 2016 at 10:42am PST

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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