FIA to replace Group N4 with R4

[rv65]

Subaru has something in store. They are planning a WRX and WRX/STi that is separate from the Impreza. It will be smaller and better suited for the WRC. Unlike Mitsubishi, Subaru is still interested in the WRC, and not some appliance company, even if the new Impreza is a driving appliance. Subaru wanted to cheapen the Impreza by keeping it separate from the high performance model. That meant Subaru had to "overbuild" the impreza with parts that could work for the WRX. This new model is coming in a few years from now. This is coming from Motor Trend, an American car magazine.

[rv65]

Well the 340 HP figure is for a N4 EvoX. Not sure how much the Subaru makes, but the boxer design does have its flaws in N4. Mainly the position of the Turbo. This is from people who work on these cars. Despite the FiA making this class more of a kit car, N4 cars are still cheaper than S2000, S1600, RRC, and WRCars. The new spec hopes to make a R4 out of an R3, with a spec transmission. Then again for the same price, you could buy a professionally built, tuned MKI or MKII Escort with RWD and a sequential gearbox.

[rv65]

A RWD 300 HP 1.6T FT-86 could make a nice R-GT car.

[rv65]

http://mag.gpweek.com/ (Pages 16-17)

R4T is the name of the new R3 based 4WD turbo formula. This car is supposed to be half the price of a S2Expensive, but we shall see about that. It's still an R3 car, but with a spec 4WD system and a more powerful engine. One person said that a Fabia S2Expensive in tarmac spec is around 235,000 EUR. This car should be around 117,000 EUR. Of course, PSA want to make it more expensive and make the price at around 170,000 EUR. If they can keep it around 120,000 to 150,000 EUR, then it's not a bad price, as thats what R4/N4 cars at retail are going for.

[rv65]

Pech has tried the R4 IX suspension, and found it to be too fragile, so he is going back to the N4 parts.

I've heard that there will be no new N4 homologations, so only R4 from now on. Thats why the FiA want the proposed R4T class, since it could allow an N4 like car from an R3.

[rv65]

Now the EvoX R4 is having suspension issues. R4 Mitsubishi's seem to have weak suspension components that break to easily.

[rv65]

R4T will be announced in December, at the WMSC.

Specs are below

1.6T with larger restrictor (Not sure if it's R3T based)
4WD
5 speed sequential gearbox
Priced at around €150k

I've heard it will be a spec gearbox/4WD system, and should be on par with N4/R4 in terms of performance. It will be a cheaper alternative to S2000 and RRCars.

[ChrisB]

It will be a cheaper alternative to S2000 and RRCars.

Oh, surely Malcolm Wilson will be against that!

[rv65]

Not sure if Ford will participate in this class. Citroen and Peugeot are definitely interested along with Skoda. Those are the only confirmed manufacturers.

[rv65]

I've heard that Ford has made a track version of the Fiesta R2.

http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... _Car_.html

It looks interesting for those competing in both touring car and rally! Maybe not, but at least it gives the drivers more flexibility, when choosing an R2 car.

[rv65]

Subaru will continue to offer the current Impreza WRX and WRX STi for 2 more years. This is until the new model comes out that is separated from the Impreza.

[rv65]

R4T will be announced in December at the WMSC. 2 manufacturers are working on it. Peugeot with the 208 and Skoda with the Fabia. The 208 will be based on the DS3 R3, but with more power, 5 speed sequential box and 4WD. Fabia will have similar specs and could use a production version of the Polo WRC engine. I've heard the Polo WRC engine could be used in a future Audi model, so it probably isn't a custom engine.

[rv65]

What we know so far

1.6T engine up to 1620cc
32mm restrictor
5 speed sequential gearbox
4WD with no center diff or active electronics
Maximum part prices to keep costs down

[RonSkoda]

The FIA announced this today: "From 2013, R4T cars will be eligible in the FIA Regional Rally Championships. This new category of four-wheel-drive cars is designed to be cost-effective and more affordable for competitors. The acceptance of different category cars within the FIA World and Regional Rally Championships will be confirmed during 2012."

[rv65]

No body kits and wide suspension like S2000/WRC/RRC.

[rv65]

R4T also requires a production based engine, so you cannot use a custom built engine like in the WRC. I think an R4T based WRC would be a good idea, but maybe with 300-330 HP. A 330-350 HP R4T could make a nice WRcar but with a 6 speed transmission. It would be cheaper than those WRCars.

[rv65]

R4 does allow for two wheel drive according to Wikipedia. R4 is a spec designed for Group N cars over 2.0L before 2013. No new Group N homologations after this year. So Renault could make a Megane R4 if they wanted to. Plus, it seems that the Megane will be the last Renault Group N rally car ever to be made, due to changes in the homologation requirements.

[rv65]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/193756/rena ... wrc-entry/

Looks like Renault has decided not to join the WRC. The main reason for this was TV coverage. Renault's head of design Laurens van den Acker, said that Renault is not going into Rally. He said Renault prefers F1 as it is easily controlled with good TV coverage and the races are short. Renault did study a potential WRC program, but decided not to as they prefer F1. I could see Renault do circuit racing or maybe some low level form of Rallying like R1T, maybe R5. It is a shame that they do not want to join WRC, as the new Renault Sport Clio looks a good potential WRC. At least they would be able to beat Hyundai and possibly Citroen and VW.