A newly upgraded Ford Fiesta Rally2 has been homologated by M-Sport, with a strong focus on extracting more power from its 1.6-liter engine.
The extensive update package leverages over half a dozen homologation jokers in one go, addressing component weight, suspension geometry, brake and cockpit cooling and electrical updates in addition to the engine upgrades.
But changing the injectors, pistons and exhaust camshafts in the engine is where M-Sport’s customer program manager James Allinson expects to see the biggest step forward in performance from the revised Fiesta Rally2.
“Without speaking too confidently, I think that’s where we’re going to see the big gains,” Allinson told DirtFish.
“We have a good relationship with our customers. The great thing about being in that position is that you can speak quite openly with them.
“The general feedback we’re always getting is that the chassis is great, the car is great, and good at what it does, but it just lacks that little bit on the engine side.”
Jokers have also been deployed to fit a lighter dashboard and replace the glass rear windshield for polycarbonate, plus a lighter exhaust manifold. The front crossmember has also been updated to achieve revised suspension geometry.
There’s a new steering wheel panel and software changes to the ECU, and the internals of the car’s gravel dampers have been revised.
Upgrades will be rolled out onto brand new Fiesta Rally2 builds to begin with, including on recently re-signed WRC2 driver Romet Jürgenson’s car at the Monte Carlo Rally in January. A limited run of upgrade kits will then become available to the wider customer base for delivery in April.
