While over 200 standard RS200s were made, only 24 Evolution models were produced to stay ahead of the competition. Since the best in the business came out to help Ford, including chief engineer John Wheeler and Tony Southgate, the RS200 Evolution represented the absolute pinnacle of modern racing development. It was specifically designed as Ford’s first four wheel drive contender for the radical Group B class rally racing, but a minimum number of road-certified examples had to be made to meet homologation requirements. That’s because the RS200 was a homologation special produced by Ford of Great Britain. Learn more about the 1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1Įngine: 2.1L Inline-4 / Power: 580 bhp / Torque: 400 ft-lbs / Drivetrain: 4WD / 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec / Notable driver(s): Stig Blomqvistįor years, many people were baffled when they opened up the Guinness Book of Records and discovered that the world’s fastest accelerating car was a none other than a Ford – and a curiously small, almost goofy looking one which looked like nothing made on American soil. Thus, the very first iteration of what is now commonly known as DSG (direct-shift gearbox) or PDK (Porsche doppelkupplung), can trace its beginnings to the Sport Quattro S1. The speed, acceleration, and traction of the car would unsurprisingly, be its biggest claim to fame.ĭuring some rally races, certain examples of the Audi Sport Quattro S1 were equipped with a then-experimental version of the dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

What supercars are doing today, the Sport Quattro S1 was doing in the mid-‘80s. The enhanced engine – in conjunction with the weight reduction and revised aerodynamics – propelled the car from 0-100 km/h in a staggering 3.1 seconds. However, the true power input was believed to be in excess of 500-horsepower since the turbocharger was complemented with a recirculating air system which also reduced turbo lag. The Audi Sport Quattro S1 improved on the unique 2.1L inline-5 power plant which now produced a factory-stated 470-horsepower. To say that the car was ahead of its time, is perhaps a huge understatement. See Also: The Most Awesome Homologation Cars Ever Made Greatest Rally Cars ListĮngine: 2.1L Inline-5 / Power: 540 bhp / Torque: 435 ft-lbs / Drivetrain: Quattro AWD / 0-60 mph: 3.1 sec / Notable driver(s): Michele Mouton, Walter Röhrl, Hannu MikkolaĪudi debuted its new and improved version of the Sport Quattro S1 at the 1000 Lakes Rally in August 1985. Other cars on the list may have had less pedigree, enjoying more brief and less trophy-laden stints nevertheless, leaving a memorable impact thanks to certain outstanding qualities they boasted.

Included in this list are some epic vehicles which were piloted by some legendary drivers, going on to win multiple championships and accolades. On that note, we present to you our picks for the “20 Best Rally Cars Ever”. Of course with that, it has also been forebearer of some of the greatest cars ever made on this planet – many of which can be enjoyed by the mainstream in their road-going forms, making the sport that much more relatable of an experience. Ok, so maybe it lacks the prestige of Formula 1 and isn’t considered the grand spectacle that is Nascar – but rally racing has more than made up for it by producing some of the finest moments and greatest personalities to have graced the world of motorsport. From the incredible driving techniques on display by the drivers, to the unrivaled levels of bravery from both racers and spectators there is no other school of motorsport that exudes the freakish combination of rich entertainment value, out-and-out danger, and grassroots charisma, quite like rally racing does. Whether an avid fan of it or not, I think most automotive racing followers will agree that rally racing demands a unique set of skills and a special mindset from its participants. Ranking the 20 Best Rally Cars Ever Created

Art of rally cars