The upcoming World Rally Championship regulations for the 2027 season are finally showing their true colors regarding on-track performance, especially following the recent track tests of newly equipped conversion cars. The premier class of the global rally championship will feature brand-new tubular-frame WRC27 cars running alongside familiar Rally2 machines upgraded with a special regulation kit.
Driver Josh McErlean representing M-Sport was entrusted to test the newly developed conversion kit aboard a Fiesta Rally2 during the Portuguese ERC rally weekend. Although the test vehicle did not officially enter the competitive rally sessions and no official stage times were recorded, the appearance of the car immediately drew intense scrutiny from technical experts and fans alike.
The most noticeable visual upgrades on the kit-equipped cars center around enhanced aerodynamic elements designed for high-speed stability. Newly homologated front bumpers, front wings, and rear wings work in tandem to increase downforce at high speeds. Additional power output is achieved by expanding the turbo restrictor diameter from 32 millimeters to 33 millimeters, a mechanical tweak estimated to yield an extra 10 to 20 horsepower, while the minimum weight of the cars is reduced by ten kilograms.
While the Fiesta brought by M-Sport featured distinct bodywork modifications compared to the standard Rally2 model, the team has yet to disclose how closely the test specification aligns with next season's final contender. Curiosity among fans was partially satisfied when Portuguese motorsport photographer Joao Pereira published a side-by-side comparison video on social media. The footage superimposes the rally-winning Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 driven by Martins Sesks against the kit-equipped Fiesta piloted by McErlean.
The short video captures a slow right-hand corner followed by an uphill acceleration phase through a left-hander. The visual comparison reveals that Sesks managed to exit the corner fractionally quicker, establishing a microscopic gap of roughly 0.2 seconds in favor of the Skoda driver. The tight and twisty nature of the road section made it difficult for McErlean to fully showcase his car's aerodynamic advantages, as increased aero grip only takes full effect at higher speeds.
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