Autoblog

WRC switching to S2000-spec car for 2010 season

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST

For whom does the cost-cutter's bell toll? It tolls for Formula 1... and for the World Rally Championship. The FIA has announced that from 2010 the WRC will use Super 2000-spec cars, instead of the current championship's Group N racers. As with the FIA's moves in F1 to standardize components in order to help teams save money, the S2000 cars all have third-party-supplied gearboxes and drivetrains, use 2.0-liter engines with 8,500 rpm rev limits, and are prohibited from being excessively modified (if you have some time, check out the FIA-mandated S2000 specs), among other things. Should manufacturers wish to sell their S2000 cars to privateer teams they can charge no more than €168,000. Five time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb has spoken out against an S2000 WRC, saying he won't be interested in rallying if the 2010 regs actually take effect. The Group N cars that drivers like Loeb currently pilot will be relegated to the P-WRC come 2010. We'll find out then if Sebastien Loeb goes with them.

[Source: WRC]

WRC switching to S2000-spec car for 2010 season originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Proton preparing Satria Neo S2000 racer

Noah Joseph — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Hatchback

The FIA's Super 2000 formula class was designed to reduce costs in rally and touring car racing and appears to be living up to its aim, as Malaysian automaker Proton joins the growing list of carmakers jumping aboard that already includes Toyota, Ford, Skoda, MG, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Fiat/Abarth. Currently the British Touring Car Championship, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Production Car World Rally Championship, as well as national rally series in Australia, Italy and South Africa, operate under the Super 2000 formula. While it is not yet known for which series the Proton Satria Neo S2000 is being prepared to compete, it's thought to be prepared by Mellors Elliot Motorsport in Derbyshire, England for a race debut by midyear. Although Mellors Elliot prepared the car with which Proton took the Production Car World Rally Championship in 2002, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable to infer that Lotus might lend a hand in developing its parent company's new contender.

Amidst all this speculation, specs for the Proton Satria Neo S2000 remain unknown, although the Super 2000 formula calls for engines no larger than two liters, naturally aspirated and sending no more than 280 horsepower through the mandated six-speed sequential gearbox

[Source: Yahoo Eurosport and Livincars via paultan.org]

Proton preparing Satria Neo S2000 racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat prepping Grande Punto Brutale based on Super 2000 rally car

Alex Nunez — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Click image for a gallery of the Fiat Grande Punto Super 2000 car

We like Super 2000 rally cars, as they demonstrate just how much you can do with a normally-aspirated 2.0L engine. Fiat's Grand Punto Rally is built to S2K specs and it certainly delivers the goods: 270 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, to be exact.

Now comes word from Britain's 4Car that the Italian automaker is readying a limited-run (250 units) special road car based on the Super 2000 called the Grand Punto Brutale, in what's said to be a nod to the Lancia Delta Integrale (shown at right).

"Based on" is an apt description, because 4Car reports that the Brutale will be turbocharged, which is a no-no in Super 2000. We're guessing the real similarity will be in the looks department, as the Brutale will apparently get the S2K car's bodywork and a stripped-down, racy interior. It'll also have AWD, just like the rally car. Sounds cool. Too bad we'll never see it here.

Follow the jump for a vid of the Grand Punto Super 2000 car in action, as well as a breakdown of the racer's tech specs.

[Source: 4Car]

Gallery: Fiat Grande Punto Super 2000

Continue reading Fiat prepping Grande Punto Brutale based on Super 2000 rally car

Fiat prepping Grande Punto Brutale based on Super 2000 rally car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota unveils Corolla Super 2000 rally car

Alex Nunez — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows

Click for high-res photo gallery

Toyota has a lot going on at the Melbourne Motor Show this week. In addition to the unveilings of the TRD Aurion, TRD HiLux and the Aussie debut of the new Corolla (right), a new Super 2000-spec rally car is also on hand, resplendent in red-and-white TRD livery. 2006 Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans and rally team leader Neal Bates were on hand for the presentation of the new racer, which is powered by a 2.0 liter, 255 horsepower normally-aspirated four-cylinder that runs up to the class-mandated 8,500 rpm maximum. It weighs in at around 2500 pounds.

As is the case with other Super 2000 rally cars, electronic aids are prohibited and not present on this new Corolla, which will see its first racing action in June.

[Sources: Toyota, Rally.com.au]

Gallery: Toyota Corolla Super 2000 rally car

Continue reading Toyota unveils Corolla Super 2000 rally car

Toyota unveils Corolla Super 2000 rally car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED

Alex Nunez — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Hatchback

Peugeot has revealed its new rally car, the 207 Super 2000.

The 207 RCup concept at last March's Geneva Motor Show hinted at what was coming, and now that the initial development phase is complete, Peugeot has decided to show it off and reveal the tech specs. Appearance-wise, it's an aggressive little package, with its wide body, rooftop intake, and top-mounted rear wing.

Underhood, there's some giddyup to back up the looks. Powered by a 1998cc four-cylinder, the Super 2000 generates 280 horsepower without the use of any forced induction. A six-speed sequential gearbox sends it to all four wheels. The Super 2000 engine is based on the one found in the company's 206 GTi 180 model, but is tuned to produce an additional 100 ponies.

The car is still under development and additional tweaks will likely be made as they perfect its dynamics. Once finalized, privateer teams will be able to purchase and campaign their own 207 Super 2000s. This, incidentally, is why the car's engine does not use turbocharging to generate more power. Super 2000 regulations (we're talking about the rally class, now) prohibit the forced induction systems and other electronic trickery found in the WRC. Doing so makes the cars less expensive to operate and maintain, making the idea of fielding a team far more palatable to individuals looking to get into the game.

Thanks to Peugeot's Ian Sedgwick for the clarification regarding the nature of the engine.

(Release, tech specs after the jump)

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED

Peugeot reveals new 207 Super 2000 rally car - UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments