With the days fast approaching toward the first event in the 2022 season of the World Rally Championship (WRC), there is plenty of hype surrounding the newest Rally1 category.
This regulation change aims to be one of the biggest in the series, as it introduces hybrid technology to the highest level of rallying while cutting down on complex aerodynamics, the usage of a mechanical gear shifter, and the removal of the active center differential.
While it might take some time to see more manufacturers joining this new category, we will be seeing three entries juke it out on the rally stages this year. Representing America is Ford’s Puma Rally1, South Korea has the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, and Japan has the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.
While looking like a GR Yaris that has gone through many different Super Saiyan levels, these vehicles are quite different underneath. It uses the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from last year’s Yaris WRC combined with a hybrid motor unit and a 3.9kWh battery that allows for a combined peak power output of over 493hp.
The chosen pilots for the four GR Yaris Rally1 vehicles this season include reigning champion Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä, and Takamoto Katsuta. You will be able to catch all of these vehicles and more this January 20-23 at the hallowed Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Who would you be rooting for?
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