Toyota Gazoo Racing has finalized the design of its WRC27 entry and work will start on the first Monte Carlo Rally chassis this week.
The team has evolved the car’s design and aero configuration considerably in the last few months, but chassis number one is now bound for production – despite the wider world still guessing what it will be called. Sources are suggesting the Corolla moniker is likely to be favored over an MR2.
Toyota’s technical director Tom Fowler told DirtFish: “The last couple of tests have been really positive, we’re signing parts off for production and everything is on time and going as planned.
“Body shell number one will be started this week and this is scheduled to be one of the cars going to Monte Carlo.”
January’s 2027 season opener is the first time Toyota’s all-new WRC challenger will lock horns with cars competing under revised Rally2 kit regulations. Fowler clarified Toyota’s position on running a kit-specification GR Yaris Rally2 in 2027.
“Fundamentally,” he said, “the FIA has two categories: RC1 and RC2 for next year’s World Rally Championship. And our product line-up matches those regulations. If you want to compete in RC1, you can buy a WRC27 car and if you want to compete in WRC2, then you can buy an RC2 car.
“Bringing a third possible option in between those two cars six months out from the start of the season is not sensible when we’re committed to a certain development path. Unfortunately, there will be some people that are thinking they want to convert their [GR Yaris] Rally2 with a kit to be included in RC1. But, honestly speaking, I think it’s quite a limited market.”
Talking more broadly about the kit regulation, Fowler added: “It’s not a bad option. It kind of feels like it’s an option for manufacturers who have, let’s say, missed the bus with the immediate WRC27 regulations. Is it going to make a huge difference? I’m not sure – the 10kg weight-saving will and the aero will help in some circumstances.
“But we shouldn’t forget we’re talking about cars with regulations which are 15 years old; I’d say around 95% of a Rally2 car is R5. So much has moved on the side of technology, electronics and manufacturing materials and processes since those orjginal regulations were written in 2011.”
