WRC 2027 regulations attracting interest from tuners and manufacturers

Interest from new manufacturers and tuners in the World Rally Championship’s 2027 technical regulations is growing as work continues to finalise the ruleset’s finer details.

The WRC will usher in new technical regulations from 2027 that have been formed primarily to be more affordable and flexible in the hope of attracting new manufacturers and teams to grow the championship.

The new regulations will feature cars built to a €345,000 cost cap and deliver similar performance to the current Rally1 machines – but will utilise a space frame chassis and Rally2 componentry.

It also allows for tuners as well as automotive manufacturers to construct the chassis and design their own bodywork to compete under the 2027 regulations.

The FIA-approved refined bodywork regulations at June’s World Motor Sport Council will allow freedom to scale and integrate almost any design from saloons to hatchbacks, crossovers and completely bespoke designs. 

Following the initial announcement of the regulations in December last year, interest is beginning to build with the FIA recently stating that at least two tuners are closely working on projects.

“What I can say is two of them are working closely with us on this project. Two are very involved but we are involved in discussions,” said FIA technical director Xavier Mestellen Pinon. 

Autosport understands that there is also at least one manufacturer edging closer to a potential announcement which could result in a new player joining the WRC from 2027. 

It is understood a meeting with a manufacturer, to discuss its potential future involvement, will take place at Rally di Roma this week. 

Neither of the WRC’s current brands, including the Rally1 representatives Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford, are yet to officially confirm plans to contest 2027 – though it is understood that Toyota has started preliminary preparation work. 

M-Sport confirmed earlier this month that it’s looking at the regulations to see what is possible, but the British squad requires more details on the future direction of the WRC before it is in a position to commit. 

Hyundai has also made its stance clear suggesting that it requires more flexibility regarding the drivetrains that can be adopted, and is pushing for more road car relevant technology to be showcased.

At this point, 2027 will be focussed around internal combustion engine vehicles although the FIA has stated its intentions to open up the potential for other powertrains in the future, but is yet to confirm the timescale and how parity between the vehicles would be achieved.

The FIA is, however, currently in discussions with manufacturers regarding the possibility of allowing a degree of flexibility on engines that can be eligible for 2027. 

The next milestone for the regulations is the finalisation of the roll cage, which is expected to be completed in the next two months.