How does the Rally3 Ford Fiesta compare to past cars?

I am curious how people feel the Rally3 Ford Fiesta compares to past Rally3 and Group N rally cars in terms of track performance. I see that the Rally3 Ford Fiesta won the 2023 Rally3 Championship but only two cars ran with the Fiesta being one of them, and they are both current production cars so I am curious how they would compare to Group N cars of say the 90’s and 00’s for example but all date ranges really.

Rally3 cars are incredibly fast, and even though they have lower power, they likely aren’t too far behind Group A cars in terms of performance.

It’s challenging to compare Rally3 cars directly with Group A and Group N vehicles because the latter classes were “modified production car” categories. This is why there were many homologation special road cars in the '90s, like the RA Impreza. If manufacturers wanted a feature on their rally car, it had to be present in the road version. In contrast, Rally3 cars are significantly more modified from their road counterparts, with the introduction of a 4WD system that requires extensive cutting and welding of brackets and mounting points.

Additionally, suspension and brake technology have advanced tremendously in recent years. For example, look at the WRC cars from the 2010s, which featured 1.6L turbocharged 4WD engines and 6-speed sequential gearboxes producing around 310-330 hp. In comparison, Rally2/R5 cars also have 1.6L turbocharged 4WD engines but with 5-speed sequential gearboxes and roughly 280-290 hp. On paper, the WRC car seems superior to the Rally2/R5, but in reality, the R5 often performs better on the road.

Given that 2010s WRC cars are now between 7-14 years old, the R5s are generally more advanced in terms of grip and stopping power. Therefore, regarding the Rally3 discussion, I believe the technological advancements over the past 15-20 years would certainly allow Rally3 cars to outperform Group N vehicles and likely compete quite well against Group A cars as well.

Regarding “current production cars,” it’s worth noting that the Fiesta has actually been discontinued, but it will be interesting to see how far M-Sport can push the only small hatchback Ford currently offers. They might be able to modify the size in the R1 class due to the rules, as these vehicles aren’t homologated based on a production steel chassis, which isn’t the case for the lower classes.

Additionally, the Escort WRC underwent a facelift in '92, followed by a new generation version in '95 that was based on that updated model. If you search for images, you’ll notice that the motorsport division never utilized the newer models; all the rally cars were homologated based on the RS Cosworth, which never featured the new headlights.

This is just an observation about Ford’s past actions, not a commentary on road performance.

The comparison between the Rally3 Ford Fiesta and past Rally3 and Group N rally cars highlights the significant advancements in rally car technology over the years. Here’s a breakdown of how the Rally3 Fiesta stands against its predecessors:

Rally3 Ford Fiesta Overview

  • Class: The Rally3 Ford Fiesta is designed for privateers within the modern FIA Rally Pyramid. It features a 1.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine producing around 210-230 hp, paired with a sequential gearbox. Its lightweight body and advanced suspension and braking systems enhance performance.
  • Performance: With its four-wheel-drive (4WD) system, the Fiesta offers excellent traction on loose surfaces. Its modern turbocharging and improved aerodynamics contribute to competitive acceleration and cornering capabilities.

Comparison with Past Rally3 Cars

  • Past Rally3 Vehicles: As a new category introduced post-2020, there aren’t direct historical comparisons. However, the Rally3 class sits between Rally2 (formerly R5) and Rally4 (formerly R2), catering to privateers seeking accessible rally cars.
  • Advancements: The modern engineering of the Fiesta Rally3 features lighter materials, efficient power delivery, and advanced electronics. These innovations translate into better handling, reliability, and overall performance compared to older Rally3 vehicles.

Comparison with Group N Cars (90s and 00s)

  • Group N Overview: Group N was a production-based class with cars closely resembling their road counterparts, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. While known for their durability, they were heavier due to stricter production regulations.
  • Power and Weight: Group N cars typically boasted 280-300 hp but had a heavier weight. The Rally3 Fiesta, being lighter and leveraging modern turbocharging, achieves a better power-to-weight ratio despite having lower horsepower.
  • Handling and Technology: The Fiesta benefits from advancements in suspension, braking, and electronics that were not present in Group N cars. This results in superior handling on complex rally stages, better road-holding, and more stability.
  • Traction and Grip: Although both classes feature 4WD, the Fiesta’s system is more refined, offering better grip and acceleration. Group N cars tended to understeer more and were less forgiving on technical sections.

Conclusion: Track Performance

  • Acceleration and Speed: Despite having less horsepower, the Fiesta Rally3 likely accelerates better due to its lighter weight and efficient turbocharging, reaching top speeds more effectively.
  • Handling: The Fiesta is expected to outperform Group N cars in cornering speed and agility thanks to its modern chassis and suspension systems.
  • Reliability: While Group N cars were robust, the Rally3 Fiesta’s modern engineering likely provides equal reliability with enhanced competitiveness.

On the Rally Stage

The Fiesta Rally3 would feel more nimble and responsive, especially on technical stages where it could maintain higher cornering speeds. On faster stages, Group N cars might leverage their power, but the Fiesta’s advanced aerodynamics and suspension would likely give it an edge in overall stage times.

In summary, while Group N cars were powerful and reliable in their era, the modern Ford Fiesta Rally3 likely surpasses them in handling, weight distribution, and power delivery, showcasing the evolution of rally car performance.

This looks and reads like a Chat GPT copy-paste answer to me