Wednesday 8th February 2017

New Megane World Rallycross car

Prodrive is building it too...

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Rallycross is enjoying something of a resurgence under the World RX banner, with big draw names, incredibly fast cars and properly exciting racing. That now looks to continue in 2018, with the confirmation of the Prodrive Renault Megane World RX car.

Now this does look promising

Isn't it interesting that Prodrive will be building a top level RX car next year and, as far as we know, not a WRC car? Dave Richards said "It has long been an ambition of ours to compete in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. It is the fastest growing motorsport series in the world and gives us the opportunity to use all our engineering experience to create a car capable of winning the world title." And for building a rally car, RX or WRC, who better than Prodrive?

As you can see, the car will be based on the latest Renault Megane and powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine. The driver will be Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit, a former free skiing world champion. Having competed in a few World RX events during 2015 and 2016, he has now formed his own team (GCK) to compete in 2018 with Prodrive. He added "I absolutely trust Prodrive to build the best car and I'm excited to bring my brand and partners to the Championship in 2018."

The car will be built at Prodrive's base in Banbury (see you there soon for the Sunday Service) and is due to be shown at the French round of this year's championship in Loheac on September 1-3. Testing will commence in the autumn. Get your livery suggestions in now...

[grale23]

Why can't we have a decent road car that looks and goes like that.

[Frimley111R]

You can, just not yet, the RS is due.

I'm more inclined to ask 'Why can't WRC cars be more like this instead of being based on the smallest/budget cars in each manufacturer's range?' I want to watch proper cares like this (and Aussie V8s) not cars that these guys should have been learning in!

[Vee12V]

Frimley111R said:

You can, just not yet, the RS is due.

I'm more inclined to ask 'Why can't WRC cars be more like this instead of being based on the smallest/budget cars in each manufacturer's range?' I want to watch proper cares like this (and Aussie V8s) not cars that these guys should have been learning in!

+1

It doesn't matter how capable and fast the WRC cars are, they all look (and sound) terrible.

[Turbobanana]

Odd that the article makes reference to the driver's former career as a skier, but not his multiple participations in the Dakar Rally.

[epom]

Vee12V said:

Frimley111R said:

You can, just not yet, the RS is due.

I'm more inclined to ask 'Why can't WRC cars be more like this instead of being based on the smallest/budget cars in each manufacturer's range?' I want to watch proper cares like this (and Aussie V8s) not cars that these guys should have been learning in!

+1

It doesn't matter how capable and fast the WRC cars are, they all look (and sound) terrible.

Oh right, when was the last time you watched it ??

[jamespink]

Not sure why contributors are questioning Prodrive's choice of base car. They know exactly what has the best chance of winning and the decision is based on that assessment, not "lets start with a big V* and see how we go" (I understand the Aussies do). That's why they started with the 4x4 Mini for the rally project after Subaru ended.

[Piginapoke]

Needs bigger wheels

[sfaulds]

jamespink said:

Not sure why contributors are questioning Prodrive's choice of base car. They know exactly what has the best chance of winning and the decision is based on that assessment, not "lets start with a big V* and see how we go" (I understand the Aussies do). That's why they started with the 4x4 Mini for the rally project after Subaru ended.

LOL - have a yourself. They'll start with whatever base car the customer (ie. whoever is paying the bill) wants, as long as it fits within the relevant regulations.

Edited by sfaulds on Thursday 9th February 07:55

[DanielSan]

Didn't Prodrive themselves admit the Mini was too big for WRC?

[Ralphthemouth]

Frimley111R said:

You can, just not yet, the RS is due.

I'm more inclined to ask 'Why can't WRC cars be more like this instead of being based on the smallest/budget cars in each manufacturer's range?' I want to watch proper cares like this (and Aussie V8s) not cars that these guys should have been learning in!

Had you said this last year, I'd be slightly inclined to agree with you. But why not familiarise yourself with the new rules and regulations that FIA have implemented this year. It's the closest thing to group B that the WRC has ever been. In fact, every time I look at the front of the Fiesta WRC I think Audi S1 Sport.

It's Rally Sweden this weekend too, so why not take a look. It's live and free on the redbull.tv app.

[Frimley111R]

Ralphthemouth said:

Had you said this last year, I'd be slightly inclined to agree with you. But why not familiarise yourself with the new rules and regulations that FIA have implemented this year. It's the closest thing to group B that the WRC has ever been. In fact, every time I look at the front of the Fiesta WRC I think Audi S1 Sport.

Yes, I have but the fact remains that most of the cars are still the smallest hatchbacks in the manufacturers' ranges. They are still Fiestas, Polos, etc. Why not Focus, Megane, Golf etc. 'Proper sized' cars rather than the bottom rung of their ranges. As much as I see how fast they are they are still fast 'budget' cars.

[framerateuk]

grale23 said:

Why can't we have a decent road car that looks and goes like that.

Because a road car running that much boost would need engine rebuilds every few thousand miles and not be a nice place to sit!

Looking forward to the new RS Megane though. I've got high expectations!

[Poopipe]

Frimley111R said:

Yes, I have but the fact remains that most of the cars are still the smallest hatchbacks in the manufacturers' ranges. They are still Fiestas, Polos, etc. Why not Focus, Megane, Golf etc. 'Proper sized' cars rather than the bottom rung of their ranges. As much as I see how fast they are they are still fast 'budget' cars.

Small makes sense if you're trying to shove something down a forest track at 120mph.

[Ahonen]

Frimley111R said:

Ralphthemouth said:

Had you said this last year, I'd be slightly inclined to agree with you. But why not familiarise yourself with the new rules and regulations that FIA have implemented this year. It's the closest thing to group B that the WRC has ever been. In fact, every time I look at the front of the Fiesta WRC I think Audi S1 Sport.

Yes, I have but the fact remains that most of the cars are still the smallest hatchbacks in the manufacturers' ranges. They are still Fiestas, Polos, etc. Why not Focus, Megane, Golf etc. 'Proper sized' cars rather than the bottom rung of their ranges. As much as I see how fast they are they are still fast 'budget' cars.

Playing Devil's advocate, though, the Peugeot 205 was the small car in their range when they made the Group B T16.

However I must say that the current rallying 911 GT3s excite me much more than any of the WRC cars, even though the latter are stunningly fast. I love watching the 911 guys fighting for grip and the flat sixes sound wonderful.

[joema]

Er... The Megane is a WRX car. Not sure why the WRC chat

Edited by joema on Thursday 9th February 13:29

[AussieFozzy]

Frimley111R said:

Yes, I have but the fact remains that most of the cars are still the smallest hatchbacks in the manufacturers' ranges. They are still Fiestas, Polos, etc. Why not Focus, Megane, Golf etc. 'Proper sized' cars rather than the bottom rung of their ranges. As much as I see how fast they are they are still fast 'budget' cars.

As my wife always says, its not the size its how you use it.

I actually see the smaller WRC cars as being even more impressive for it. The fact they can make something that at least looks like a Fiesta so insane is more impressive than doing the same with a Focus.

Anyway back onto the topic and i am wondering if Renault will make a road going special edition to go along with this thing? Its the sort of bananas thing i would like Renault to start doing again.