How Hybrid Cars To Feature In 2023 WRC Safari Rally Compare To 2022 Cars
There is already optimism and excitement from rally fans eager to see another face-off between last year’s champion Rovanpera and 2021 winner Sebastien Ogier of France who is leading the 2023 championship. What about the cars themselves?
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The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally returns to Kenya for the third year running, and between Thursday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, Kenyans will be treated to showstopping motorsport action between the counties of Nairobi and Nakuru, especially in Naivasha.
Termed the toughest rally in the WRC calendar, the Safari Rally will see various motorsport teams face off against each other while battling a race known for its unpredictability; weather that can change at any moment, wild animals crossing out of nowhere and copious amounts of dust known as fesh fesh, which in 2022 brought even the most experienced drivers to its knees.
With fears of a repeat of the 'fesh fesh' battle that crippled cars, pushing them to the extreme, and in some instances even cancelled parts of stages, teams will have a mountain of homework on their hands to tailor their cars to deal with the Kenyan wilderness.
In particular, both teams Hyundai and M-Sport Ford will have to work hard to wrestle the Safari Rally title from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, which in 2022 claimed all the top four positions and was won by reigning WRC champion, Kalle Rovanpera. Toyota had won the 2021 edition among 10 other wins at this stage.
The WRC Rally1 cars on show ahead of the 2023 season. /WRC.COM
There is already optimism and excitement from rally fans eager to see another face-off between last year’s champion Rovanpera and 2021 winner Sebastien Ogier of France who is leading the 2023 championship. What about the cars themselves?
Viral Tea learnt that the rally cars which will feature at the 2023 Safari Rally are the same ones which featured in the 2022 editions, however, the Rally1 cars, the most powerful vehicles to compete in the sport since the flame-spitting Group B cars were phased out in 1986, underwent a few changes which we shall look at in this article:
Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR)
The reigning champions have had pronounced air boxes that adorned the flanks of the car to cool the hybrid unit have been replaced with a much smoother more aerodynamic design, as it was discovered that the 2022 design overestimated the amount of cooling required for the hybrid unit.
This has resulted in a re-design of the rear fenders and arches. The rear wing has also been tweaked to compensate for the new aero package.
In addition to the aero changes, Toyota has elected to upgrade its 1.6-litre engine to improve the delivery of power and its torque.
Hyundai
Hyundai also revealed noticeable aerodynamic changes to its i20 N.
The 2023 car features updated bodywork to the front and rear of the car as well as a flattened and extended bonnet and modified front arches. The team has also opted for a heavily revised rear wing and wing mirrors.
The new-look extended front end has turned the nose of the car into effectively an extra splitter. At the rear, a new rear wing has been designed with last year’s central wing and end plate option transformed into one continuous wing covering the maximum width of the car.
Hyundai notably warmed hearts during the Croatia Rally between April 20-23, 2023 by repainting the livery of Thierry Neuville's car to the Irish Tricolour flag in honour of Craig Breen, who died after his car crashed off the road in Rally Croatia testing earlier in April.
A Hyundai Rally1 car with Irish flag livery in honour of the late Craig Breen. /MOTORSPORT.COM
M-Sport
M-Sport unveiled a bold new look for its Puma Rally1 with an electric blue and pink livery, replacing its popular purple colours from last season. While the car looks similar to its 2022 model, the team plans to continue its development during the season.
In 2022, M-Sport partnered with national carrier Kenya Airways for the Safari Rally through the inclusion of vinyl paintwork to the livery of Gus Greensmith's car as well as branding on the crew’s overalls to market the airline, one of the main sponsors of the Safari Rally.
Recap: How Does The Rally1 Hybrid System Work?
The Rally1 regulations are designed with an eye on a much more sustainable future for the WRC and the attraction of new manufacturers. Hyundai, Toyota and M-Sport Ford in 2022 all moved to design and build all-new cars around a new safer, steel spaceframe chassis.
The biggest change to the cars was the introduction of a mandatory 100kW hybrid unit coupled to the 1.6-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine, the only key component carried over from the previous generation of cars. This will allow the powertrain to develop 500bhp to be used in short bursts across every stage.
Drivers will be required to use hybrid power during every stage, with power boosts activated by the throttle pedal, while further boosts will be unlocked through energy regeneration under braking during stages. Pilots will be required to regenerate 30 kilojoules of energy before another boost is granted that will be used the next time they touch the throttle pedal.
The extra 130 horsepower is delivered through the use of three bespoke homologated engine maps selected by teams, depending on the type of stage and conditions.
Determined by the FIA and event organisers, drivers will be required to navigate parts of road sections and around event service parks in full electric mode. In the full-electric mode, the car has a range of 20km, while its 3.9KWH battery, operating up to 750 volts, can be plugged in and recharged in the service park within 30 minutes.
The hybrid unit can withstand an impact of 70G.
Additionally, the cars will also be powered by 100 per cent sustainable fuel. It’s a drop-in fuel, meaning the engines did not need any work to use it compared to 2021's more conventional gasoline, and is a blend of biofuel and synthetic fuel.
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