M-Sport Ford World Rally Team (WRT) gave motorsport fans a chance to get a first look at the thrilling racing livery that will help the new M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 to “electrify” the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).
The line-up of the pilots and the tradition of the brand
The M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 makes its competitive debut at the Monte Carlo Rally, scheduled for January 20-23. Three cars will be driven throughout the WRC 2022 season by drivers Craig Breen, Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith. Additionally, nine-time FIA World Champion, Sébastien Loeb, will join the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team to compete in this year’s Monte Carlo Rally, an event that has already won seven times in the past.
The WRC 2022 season marks the 25th anniversary of a A highly successful partnership between Ford and M-Sport that has produced seven championships and more than 1,500 stage victories over the years with iconic rally cars such as the M-Sport Fiesta WRC and Focus RS WRC. Since the beginning of the partnership, M-Sport and Ford achieved a record 268 consecutive scoring results in the constructors’ classification.
“One of the most fascinating aspects of the WRC over the years has been the clear link between ultra-high-performance rally cars and their street equivalents,” said Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance Global Director. “That is why it is so important that this new era of WRC reflects our industry’s shift to electrification. At Ford, we are fully committed to an electrified future and using M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 in the toughest conditions will help us develop electrified powertrains that are even more exciting for our customers. “
Powered using principles similar to the Puma EcoBoost Hybrid road car it is based on, the M-Sport Puma Hybrid Rally1 is Ford’s first electrified racing car.
M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1: vehicle characteristics
A new generation hybrid engine captures energy during braking and racing and stores it in a 3.9 kWh battery. The energy is then used to supplement the performance of the 1.6-liter turbo petrol EcoBoost engine, with repeated thrusts from a 100 kW electric motor every three seconds.
The car can also use its electrified engine to drive through towns, cities, petrol stations and selected areas between stops, using only electricity. The battery pack can be recharged using an external energy source at the dedicated service points – located between the stages – with a recharge that takes approximately 25 minutes.
Furthermore, the competitors of the FIA WRC Rally1 will use a non-fossil-derived fuel starting in the 2022 season, mixing synthetic and bio-degradable elements to produce a fuel that is 100% sustainable.
“It was a very busy period that involved us in preparing the cars and the team for the Monte Carlo Rally and for the opening of the World Rally Championship, but we are aware that it will certainly be worth it”, said Richard Millener, Principal of the M-Sport team. “With the help and support of Ford colleagues around the world we have produced a fantastic car with enormous potential and we can’t wait to show it off. A big thank you to everyone who was involved for getting to this point and for helping us meet such tight deadlines. We feel very proud to represent Ford on the world stage in our 25th year of collaboration! ”
M-Sport Puma Hybrid Rally1 reflects Ford’s commitment to following a comprehensive strategy on electrification. Last year, the company announced that 100% of its car range in Europe will have at least one all-electric or plug-in hybrid version by 2026 and will switch to a full electric range by 2030.