Here's How Current WRC Cars Compare To The Monstrous Group B Machines

Group B is often seen as the craziest and most famous WRC era, but just how do the cars from the mid-1980s compare to those currently used in the series?

Jack Leslie

10 Apr 2016

Here's How Current WRC Cars Compare To The Monstrous Group B Machines

Yes, it’s been a little while but the time is right for a new motorsport comparison piece. Having looked at a range of different championships, including F1 vs Super Formula, Nascar Sprint Cup vs Nascar Trucks and LMP1 vs LMP2 and browsed some of your suggestions, we thought it would be fun to see how the current WRC cars stack up against the old Group B beasts.

Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2

This was the final version of the Audi Quattro used during the Group B era of the World Rally Championship, before it was ditched at the end of 1986. Several previous versions of the Quattro had been used during the earlier stages of Group B but the S1 E2 was its peak in terms of both technology and performance, as Audi continued to search for more pace.

The S1 E2 was successful in the rallying world but the Audi factory outfit pulled out of the WRC after the third round in Portugal. The car first appeared at the end of 1985, with the 2.1-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine initially producing 470bhp - but it is thought the final factory S1 E2s produced over 550bhp. The front, longitudinally-mounted engine revved to around 8000rpm, and sounded incredible.

Weight was cut to 1090 kg with the S1 E2 and it had a 0-62mph time of just 3.1 seconds. Top speed is tough to find but is apparently 137mph. Some of the S1 cars came with power-shift gearboxes, which was a forerunner of the dual-clutch transmission tech we see today, with the others running six-speed sequential manuals. The chassis was a kevlar body on a steel monocoque, and the cars were - of course - all-wheel-drive.

The S1 E2 measures in at 4240mm in length, 1860mm in width and 1344mm in height. Its wheelbase was 2224mm and this was cut for the final version in a bid to save weight. Updates for the S1 E2 also included a new aero package, with the addition of some mean-looking wings. The car was revolutionary in the Group B era and one of the most technologically advanced motorsport machines at the time, but rapidly increasing speeds in the WRC caused several fatal accidents, which caused it to be ditched.

VW Polo R WRC

To make this comparison work best, we have to look at the current dominant car, right? The Polo R WRC is based on the road-going Polo, with the bodyshell, doors, bonnet and boot being production parts, although they are heavily modified. The WRC machine used in 2016 is an updated version of the second generation car, which debuted in 2015, and is driven by three-time champion Sebastien Ogier, Jari-matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen. It has won three drivers and constructors’ championships, as well as 37 WRC victories.

The R WRC is powered by an inline-four cylinder, 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection, revving to 6250rpm and producing 318bhp. Like the road-going Polo, the engine is transversely mounted at the front. VW states that the car has a top speed of 200kmh (124mph) and a 0-62mph time of around 3.9 seconds.

However, WRC cars are set to go through some big changes in 2017, with power being increased to 380bhp, reducing the gap in performance when comparing them to the old Group B machines. There will also be a new aero package - making the cars 50mm wider than they currently are - plus larger wings and bumpers. Weight will decrease by 25kg to improve acceleration. We’re excited to see what these improved WRC beasts will look like when they are officially unveiled!

Going back to the current cars, they run a sequential six-speed racing gearbox, changed via steering wheel-mounted paddles, and feature permanent four-wheel drive. The car has mechanical front and rear differentials, a double-disc sintered metal clutch, a MacPherson strut suspension setup, ZF dampers and servo-assisted rack and pinion steering . The R WRC runs 18-inch Michelin wheels on tarmac and 15-inch wheels on gravel.

A lot of time was spent cutting the weight of the second-gen R WRC down to 1200kg, while other updates included a larger rear wing to compliment the already beastly bodykit. Moving on to measurements, it clocks in at 3976mm in length, 1820mm in width, 1356mm in height and with a wheelbase of 2480mm. So, it’s shorter, narrower and slightly higher than the old Quattro.

Comments

The Quattro is hardly the pinnacle of Group B I would argue. I understand the Audi/Volkswagen link, but the Peugeot 205 T16 and the Lancia Delta S4 were far more advanced. Audi was too stubborn to stop using a production car base and switch to a silhoutte like the French and the Italians had done.

I would agree with you there. Quattro started the revolution but Lancia perfected it.

how about group b vs rallycross for comparison?

Group B cars are still faster. At Rallylegend last year where Latvala was driving a Polo WRC was setting slower times than Michael Gerber in His S1E2. I will get the stage times later but Gerber was around 5 seconds faster on some stages. I witnessed it and Gerber is some driver. do some research into him and his driving. Latvala and Gerber were both driving flat out.

I think an important note here is that there were some other lunatic rally cars and concept cars spawned during the Group B era, that may have had more power. But its also important to note that part of the legacy and charm of Group B is not just the cars, but the whole era. The ‘80s were amazing for car racing and seemed when everything was most insane, speed wise. That mixed with the old videos of spectators standing on the road, just helps give the era a surreal movie type feel.

Hmmm how would both of these stack up against RallyX?!

WE WANNA SEE GROUP B VS RALLYCROSS NOW! xD

Just remember the one driver who flew off a cliff. The car landed upside down and immediately burst into flames.

I always think before people complain about WRC and compare it to Group B, they should watch a full season of WRC and will realize the action and excitement is still there and the on-board videos are just as spectacular. I just want more manufactures and yes WRC could do with some more power just like F1 but both have made huge strides with technological advancements. F1 lacks the same simplicity and power but its made up for that in improving the cars in areas such as aerodynamics and setup. WRC lacks power too but if you’ve ever been to any rallies in person like me, I think it’s the best sounding thing in the world and there’s been a huge improvement in suspension, tyres and pretty much everywhere! It’s still Rallying, one of the best motosports in the world, both are amazing and both should be celebrated! :D

While I admit being nostalgic person myself, many people get too blinded by the nostalgy-classes. That’s why they think everything was better in the past. Yes imo Group B and V12/V10 F1 were most awesome thing ever, but that doesn’t mean current WRC or F1 sucks (well maybe the F1 does a bit but… anyways). I still like watching them :)

Thanks for considering my suggestion :)

The E2 was that successfull in the the ~2 years running that it won 1 rally while Peugeot and their 205 T16 won more then half the rallys and 2 championships…
The S1 and also the E2 (which are 2 different cars btw but common mistake) where far to close to the production car while the 205 was just a silhouette racer.