Toyota Yaris WRC
Toyota returns to the WRC after 17 years with the Yaris. The team is looking quite formidable as Toyota Gazoo Racing has partnered with Microsoft and signed four time champion Tommi Makinen as team principal.
Toyota hasn’t released performance figures for its Yaris WRC but it has clarified that its partnership with Microsoft will result in extracting data for its road cars and provide a better form of communication with the fans.
The Yaris WRC went through extensive development and testing throughout the year but its trajectory had been shifted after the new regulations compromised its design. This model, however fits in with the rules. The turbocharged 1,6-litre engine is expected to produce 224 kW.
AutoGuide.com also reports that a road-going version of this Yaris will be produced in order to adhere to the homologation rules. This model is said to possess the turbocharged 2,0-litre engine found in current Lexus models.
Hyundai i20 WRC
Hyundai came back as a force to be reckoned with this season with it just nipping at the heels of Volkswagen. With only four races left in the season, there is a 55 point difference between the two teams (as opposed to the 190 point difference last year).
The new formula has, therefore been more successful and Hyundai Motorsport hopes to build on this for the 2017 season while continuing to use the i20. New regulations means that the new i20 WRC won’t be as aerodynamically restricted as it was before.
This means it can be fixed with bigger wings to handle the 283 kW derived from the turbocharged 1,6-litre engine. Suspension, differential and chassis have also been revised.
Expect to see these two hot hatches in action when the 2017 WRC season premiers next January in Monte Carlo.
Source: Autocar.co.uk
