Fully electric, hybrid and internal combustion engines are options for the 2027 World Rally Championship regulations, according to FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon.
The federation has been working on the future direction of the WRC’s Rally1 and Rally2 categories for more than 18 months and is expected to present its 2027 regulations at the World Motor Sport Council in December.
World motorsport’s governing body hopes to create a set of rules that will keep existing manufacturers engaged and attract new brands to the sport. While decisions on the 2027 regulations still need to be made, it appears that the proposal that the FIA working group published in February offers a relatively clear framework for what could be the future of Rally1 and Rally2
The Rally1 space frame chassis introduced in 2022, which increased the safety level and adapted to the different body shapes of car models, is expected to be maintained with adaptations. Plans to open up chassis construction to tuning companies, and no longer just manufacturers, are currently being discussed.
The FIA is also working to reduce costs, with the previously put forward figure of 400,000 euros for a Rally1 fueling ongoing discussions. These cars are expected to be based on road vehicles and are expected to undergo a drop in performance and a reduction in aerodynamics in order to make the category more accessible to aspiring drivers.
Concerning motorization, internal combustion, hybrid and 100% electric remain on the discussion table, as does the possibility of a certain form of technological equivalence if the rules evolve to open up to several technologies.
“We can consider that all technologies are appropriate, but what is important is to make the best possible decision, namely what is good for rallying in terms of technology and which championship is good for each technology”declared Mestelan Pinon to Motorsport.com.
Elfyn Evans’ Toyota at the start of the Monte-Carlo Rally.
Photo de: Toyota Racing
“Today we strongly believe that biofuel or synthetic fuel is a good deal and after that we want to open the rules to electrify the engine. When I say that, it could be a hybrid vehicle or “A 100% electric vehicle is something we still have to finalize, but that’s the goal.”
“It would be based on the same chassis, so with the same suspension, the same bodywork, etc. because it is important that a car with an internal combustion engine and an electric vehicle have the same performance. Of course, it would be necessary define a technology equivalence but it’s something we manage well in other disciplines.”
“The aim is again to have more cars in the Rally1 category, which means the base vehicle will be internal combustion engined. We strongly believe that an electrified version could make sense and we have had some discussions with potential new entrants and current manufacturers, so it is very difficult to say what will happen.”
“We must be open-minded. It is too complicated to say whether the orientation will be internal combustion and 100% electric or combustion and electric plus hybrid; it is too early. My personal opinion is that 100% electric could make sense because for 35 kilometer specials it’s easy to manage with the same level of performance as the internal combustion engine and you can have a recharging unit at the end of each special.”
“This is something we have to decide with the president of the WRC Commission, but also with the manufacturers, the promoters and the World Motor Sport Council, so that it is a global decision.”
The Rally1 adopted hybrid power in 2022 with 1.6-liter turbo engines combined with a hybrid kit supplied by Compact Dynamics and generating around 500 horsepower in short bursts.
