Ogier to drive new WRC Fiesta

M-Sport confirms Ogier/Ingrassia to drive 2017 WRC Fiesta, partnered by Ott Tanak and Martin Javeoja [UPDATE]

UPDATE: M-Sport's wild looking Fiesta for the 2017 WRC has already inspired a lot of excitement. Well, expect a whole load more with the confirmation of who'll be driving it! Yes, 2016 champion Sebastien Ogier, having been made redundant by VW's exit from the WRC, will be defending his title in the Fiesta. He and co-driver Julien Ingrassia already have four titles to their names; M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson will sincerely hope he'll be adding to that tally in one of his Cumbrian-built Fiestas. He'll be joined by up and coming Estonian driver Ott Tanak, partnered by new co-driver Martin Javeoja. Two overall second places and 30 stage wins on gravel in 2016 underscore his pace and with Ogier leading the way he's got some mentor - and competition - within the team. "The power is insane," says Tanak of the new 2017 car. "At first I thought the increased power would make it a bit of a handful but the guys have done such a good job. Every component works together to give incredible control - it really is the full package!" We look forward to seeing them all in action at Monte Carlo in the new year! Full press release on M-Sport's homepage here.

Original story, posted 9/12/16: More power, more aero, more technology - the cars competing in the 2017 World Rally Championship are promising to be more spectacular to watch than ever. As we know, having dominated the last four years VW won't be competing, which is a shame because Toyota will be and the artist formerly known as Citroen - DS - is staying, along with Hyundai and Ford, via its Cumbria-based partner M-Sport.

And this is the new M-Sport Fiesta. Not shy, is it!

M-Sport may be an independent operation but its close relationship with Ford is obvious enough when you realise this 2017 car is based on the all-new Fiesta, which has only just been revealed in its standard roadgoing guise. We're guessing the guys in Cumbria have had access to the car for a while now. Either that or they've been putting in some REALLY late nights the last few weeks...

The boxed arches and wild aero will be the first things grabbing your attention, M-Sport among many making 'return of Group B' claims for the increased performance and spectacle. 95 per cent of the car is new compared with its predecessor, power from the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is now 380hp thanks to bigger 36mm restrictors, up from 300hp-ish and the 33mm restrictors of this year. "The sound has to be heard to be believed," says the press release announcing the car.

The car runs a hydraulic-shift six-speed sequential and - new for 2017 - an electronically adjustable centre diff. Safety is also said to be further improved, with at least 95 litres of impact absorbing foam (up from 60 litres previously) cocooning the seats. For the full geek-out on the spec see below.

"Entering a new era in the FIA World Rally Championship, there is a real sense of excitement throughout the team, and rightly so as I believe we have created something extremely special in the new Ford Fiesta WRC," says M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson. "Having driven the car myself, I can honestly say that it is one of the most impressive we have ever produced. It's exciting to drive, it sounds fantastic and it looks absolutely sensational."

We'll not argue with that and look forward to seeing the car in action next year.

Full technical spec reproduced verbatim from M-Sport press release:

FORD FIESTA WRC
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
ENGINE:
Ford EcoBoost 1600cc direct injection engine developed by M-Sport and Ford. Four cylinders, 16 valves. Bore 83.0mm. Stroke 73.9mm. Cosworth electronic engine management system. Garrett turbocharger with 36 mm inlet restrictor. Air intercooler. Catalytic converter.
POWER:
380 bhp
TORQUE:
450 Nm
TRANSMISSION:
Permanent four-wheel drive. Mechanical front and rear differentials with active centre differential. Six-speed sequential gearbox developed by M-Sport and Ricardo with hydraulic shift. Multi disc clutch developed by M-Sport and AP Racing.
SUSPENSION:
Front and rear: MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers, adjustable in bump and rebound. Fully adjustable fabricated steel links. Front and rear adjustable anti-roll bars. Machined aluminium uprights.
BRAKES:
Gravel (front and rear): 300mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four- piston monoblock calipers.
Asphalt (front and rear): 370mm/355mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four-piston monoblock calipers.
Hydraulic handbrake. Adjustable front / rear bias.
STEERING:
Power-assisted high-ratio (12:1) rack and pinion. One and a half turns lock-to-lock.
WHEELS:
Gravel / Snow: 7in x 15in (magnesium) wheels with Michelin 650mm tyres.
Asphalt: 8in x 18in (magnesium) wheels with Michelin 650mm tyres.
BODYSHELL:
Fully CFD designed aerodynamics featuring front and rear splitter, dive planes and rear wing. Fully composite body panels and welded T45 steel rollcage.
ELECTRONICS:
Full Cosworth chassis and engine data acquisition for on-event diagnostics and performance development.
FUEL SYSTEM:
FIA Specification by ATL. Located centrally and low with 75 litre capacity.
INTERIOR:
Twin dash screens for driver and co-driver. Sparco seats and belts. Composite door cards with FIA crash foam.
DIMENSIONS:
Length: 4130mm. Width: 1875mm. Wheelbase: 2493mm. Weight: 1190kg minimum.

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V8A*ndy

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