Thumbs up for WRC with sting

Test drivers say the Fiesta RS WRC requires a more aggressive driving style. Photo / Supplied

Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala have given the all-new Fiesta RS WRC car the thumbs up in a seven-day trial on roads in France and Spain.

The two Finns, along with co-drivers Jarmo Lehtinen and Miikka Anttila, were delighted with the car's debut. Hirvonen and Latvala will drive the cars in all 13 rounds of the World Rally Championship next season.

"It was just as much fun as I hoped and I'm genuinely excited about what we can achieve with it," said Hirvonen.

"Of course, there is still a lot of development to do but my first impressions are very good. It has its own unique feel and it's like driving an angry bee.

"The biggest difference between the Fiesta RS WRC and the outgoing Focus RS WRC is the engine.

"There is less torque from the 1.6-litre engine in the Fiesta than we have from the 2-litre unit in the Focus, and it requires a different driving style as a result.

"The engine needs to be kept at high revs. A slightly more aggressive approach is needed, especially in slower corners, where the driver needs to take command and attack harder, rather than letting the car do the work."

Latvala described the test surfaces as the "roughest rally road on which I've ever driven".

"The road is usually used for testing cars of the type that compete in the Dakar Rally and it was full of big rocks, holes and bumps.

"It asked a lot of the car, but I pushed hard because the team wanted to see how the Fiesta behaved in those conditions.

"I was impressed and I was pleased at how quickly I found a good feeling at the wheel. The balance felt very good and the engine was better than I expected."

The WRC car is based on the street-legal Fiesta hatchback and has been developed by Ford of Europe and British-based rally partner M-Sport.

Its direct-injection 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is also based on the new Ford EcoBoost powerplant. French tuning house Pipo Moteur has helped Ford and M-Sport engineers on the engine project. The test programme continues with a three-day session on asphalt in Spain.

The Fiesta RS WRC had already completed more than 2500km of durability work, running a 2-litre boosted unit. The prototype 1.6-litre unit was used more recently.

Ford WRC team director Malcolm Wilson was also delighted with Fiesta RS WRC.

"The testing we have done until now was based on durability and obtaining feedback," said Wilson. "That raised no major issues and meant we could progress the programme.

"The weather in Spain ranged from high temperatures to heavy rain and mud as the test progressed. It wasn't pleasant for the team but it was perfect for putting the car through its paces in the type of varied conditions we will encounter in the championship next year."

The Fiesta RS WRC made its first public appearance at Paris motor show last month.