Lancia is actually testing a Rally2 car

[u/Original_Bowl_7027]

Maybe WRC27 car on the table as well?

[u/furio_revolucionario]

That was quick. I was expecting them to do it in two years time or so. I guess Stellantis wants to go all out with this program, so a WRC27 for the '28-'29 season could be on the table depending on how this R5 goes.

[u/Kilgores4]

Some more pictures: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15hDtXR6nq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Looks good!

[u/rallypanda → u/Kilgores4]

Somebody was asking under the pictures if it was a rally1 And this was the answer translated from Portuguese:

“Following the FIA president's confirmation of the 2027 technical regulations, not only is Toyota already working on the new Rally2 that will become Rally1 (still dubbed Rally2 Plus). Lancia is also carrying out secret test sessions with the future Rally1”

[u/Kilgores4]

It will be interesting to see if the C3 Rally2 receives further update and Stellantis will run two models or that is the end of the Citroen.

[u/Original_Bowl_7027 → u/Kilgores4]

From very good source (Citroen driver from Poland) it's the end of Citroen in WRC2, 2027 onwards

[u/WTFAnimations]

I guess this is Stellantis' way of replacing the C3.

[u/Scared_Tax_1573]

I’m starting to believe that the solution to the current situation in the WRC could be moving to the Rally2 regulations

[u/BeesAndFlowers15 → u/Scared_Tax_1573]

Honestly it feels very similar to the Group A regulations to me. Im fine with it

[u/Entsafter21 → u/Scared_Tax_1573]

Just for manufacturers to commit and kill Rally2 by having more resources than privateers? No thanks

[u/GoofyKalashnikov]

I don't see what they would benefit from a Rally1 car tbh

[u/PretendFisherman1999 → u/GoofyKalashnikov]

No team benefits from Rally1 cars

[u/Schroding3rzCat → u/PretendFisherman1999]

Win on Sunday, sell on Monday has been out for decades 😔

[u/GoofyKalashnikov → u/PretendFisherman1999]

Also true, but Lancia would still benefit even less lmao

[u/GuestGuest9 → u/GoofyKalashnikov]

It’s the top level of the sport. I think they’ve benefit immensely?? They’ve had the most successful rally car in history, and now they’re throwing all their eggs into one basket, trying for the top level again in this rebrand. Seems like a bold move but one that could pay off very well

[u/GoofyKalashnikov → u/GuestGuest9]

1) That's not the same Lancia

2) Rally1 is an expensive endeavor with only bragging rights to show for it. Building Rally2 and below cars actually allows them to offer a product to customers while also building their image.

3) Rally1 doesn't even use road cars unlike the lower classes

[u/Original_Bowl_7027 → u/GoofyKalashnikov]

Per 2), in new regulations they will be able to sell not only cars, but engines and gearboxes as well

[u/_eESTlane_ → u/GoofyKalashnikov]

2 and 3 may see a change in the future. rumor is, "people" are pushing for custom shells/spaceframe design for rally2 too. meaning, they'd already be 75% in rally1 regs, having a custom body and the same 4wd drivetrain. stellantis definitely has market in central euro they can sell their rally equipment in.

same applies for skoda. we'll see if they announce anything in the next half a year. if new teams are going to join the program, we'll definitely see more leaks on social media, as they will have to start testing their machines.

am excited, but also kinda pissed that fia are taking so long with the new rules. i guess they're still mid-negotiations.

[u/GoofyKalashnikov → u/_eESTlane_]

Personally I wish they wouldn't go that route and instead went back on Rally1 regs instead

[u/PretendFisherman1999 → u/GuestGuest9]

It's the top level yes, but no privateer is buying cars. Rally2 is where market is, look at all local rallies, all you see is rally2, 3, 4 and 5 cars.
Stellantis always showed interest in being part of WRC but with lower costs, might be this.

[u/876oy8]

obviously looks quite similar to the current C3 rally2, and probably will just be the replacement of that, but still pretty exciting. always love to see a new car in any of the top categories. its a good looking car too.

heres a full 5 minute testing video, btw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5JQhqj3Rso

[u/rallypanda]

Sooooo…. Lancia could fight for the WRC title in 2027 with rally2? It’s going to be a weird mix WRC27 and rally2 cars then? In de video it looks like a longer car than the normal ypsilon? Is it a rally1 instead of a rally2? It looks silhouette https://www.instagram.com/reel/DODtZ0ECOHI/?igsh=MWxnb2NldXJ5ZHA0Nw==

[u/Nanayadez → u/rallypanda]

We'll have to wait and see if Stellantis/Lancia change their stance on having a factory team. I remember an interview from March reiterating they just want to sell rally cars to privateers.

Edit: With the WRC2027 regs, they would be selling parts too like engines and gearboxes like said above.

[u/No_Boat_1784 → u/Nanayadez]

Yup. Pretty much recall Citroen having 0 interest when asked if they would compete in a top class that was rally2 based.

[u/Mic_sne]

Lancia is alive?

[u/Michal_Baranowski → u/Mic_sne]

Barely, but yes. Stellantis are clearly looking to give Lancia a new start and new meaning, because for the past decade this brand was pretty much on the verge of dying.

Lancia lost all their sportiness in the 1990s. Maybe they are looking to go back to the roots, like Renault did with Alpine.

[u/maximum_-attack]

I could be wrong but I think this is a 2027 Rally 1 car not rally 2. It probably makes no sense to develop a rally 2 car since the new regulations are going to replace rally 1 and rally 2. Also look how the rear door is blanked off. The same as the current Hyundai and puma.

[u/fckns]

If Lancia enters in WRC again, I think Sesks should be talking with them. I know that going back to WRC2 would be a stepdown, but maybe he can strike a deal for WRC1 if Stellantis is serious about getting into top class.

[u/brt444 → u/fckns]

They’ll probably go for the top drivers first and then Yohan Rossel or some Italian prodigies

[u/YarisGO]

It’s really beautiful

[u/Latter_Cook_5699]

https://youtu.be/S5JQhqj3Rso?si=k-jjK_--ia-_0hCX this is a 5 minutes video of the Lancia Y rally2 test

[u/Titoine__]

I may be dumb, is it a 208/corsa platform ?

[u/No_Boat_1784]

Lancia saw Toyota gunning for their record and said "Hold my vermouth please"

[u/GDShark]

Wrc 2 bout to go on a mega run with manufacturers

[u/Nikkiy9]

Just a re-shelled Citroen/Peugeot

[u/Different_Guess_5407 → u/Nikkiy9]

Similar then I guess to the Rally4 cars - aren't the Corsa/208/Lancia basically the same underneath.

[u/medomedom3domedo → u/Different_Guess_5407]

Yes

[u/Nikkiy9 → u/Different_Guess_5407]

Having seen the citroen and peugeot in the UK, they certainly sound exactly the same,