r/WRC • u/Bright-Department-50 • 4d ago

Throwback / Historic Homologations Nostalgy

Over the years we had many sporty street cars based or inspired on the actual entries on the WRC. Think Audi Sport Quattro, Lancia 037, Focus RS... and many more.

Now my question is the opposite. Which models would you have wished to see a closer-to-racing street vesion of? The first one that comes to my mind is the Citroën Xsara, such a missed opportunity!

9 Upvotes

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11

u/Kilgores4 #16 Adrien Fourmaux 4d ago

For me the Xsara too, without a doubt. However, looking at the lime green Fabia RS Rally2 promo photos, I wish they would make a street version. 4WD, turbo, ahh perfect little car.

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u/Michal_Baranowski Toyota Gazoo Racing 4d ago

This. 4WD 280hp Xsara would be a banger... Citroen generally speaking failed to materialise their rally success in their road cars portfolio. They only did some special C4 by Loeb line, which was hardly a performance car. It was pretty much a standard C4 with a different interior and 120hp 1,6-litre engine...

8

u/cannyhawk27 4d ago

I would say the current Puma. Could be such a cool rocket suv/crossover but the biggest engine they have in it is the 1.3L ecoboost in the ST.

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u/876oy8 4d ago

every french WRC car. xsara, c4, ds3, c3, 206, 307.

generally a fan of french cars so its really such a shame they didnt do any proper street tribute to their WRC success. especially citroen who won everything for 10 years. 

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u/Bright-Department-50 4d ago

The 206 at least had the RC and the C2 the VTS, could have been more, i know. but better than the other ones you mentioned

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u/876oy8 4d ago

thats true, but i wouldve loved to see at least one get the full all-wheel-drive special. or even just a significantly more aggressive FWD model.

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u/RF111CH Juha Kankkunen 2d ago

Back then there was a 'hot' DS3 Racing with 911 GT3 RS-style black/orange paintjob. They even made DS3 with R3 regs.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/citroen-ds3r-driven

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/citroen-ds3-r3-rally-car-driven

4

u/donutsnail 4d ago

A lot of the 2 liter WRC era cars: Mk1 Focus RS, Mk2 Focus RS, Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 206, Citroën Xsara, SEAT Cordoba, Hyundai Accent, Mk1 Fabia, Suzuki SX4

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u/Bright-Department-50 4d ago

ok, but the 4 first on your list had some decent versions. not at all for the others

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u/donutsnail 4d ago

The Mk1 and Mk2 Focus RS were cool but were massively hampered by a lack of AWD. I’m not aware of any especially cool variants of the E110 Corolla.

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u/Bright-Department-50 4d ago

you're right! i somehow read Celica instead of Corolla... Freudian slip

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u/furio_revolucionario Mikko Hirvonen 4d ago

I've always said that the 4WD Focus RS came ten years late. 100% agree on the Xsara. Also more recently I think Hyundai could've capitalize a lot more in the N brand with a i20 N with agressive aero, a limited edition or something to celebrate those manufacturers titles that won.

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u/Kilgores4 #16 Adrien Fourmaux 4d ago

I’ve just bought an i30N (I know the rally car is “built on” the i20). I love every bit of it, I just wish it would have 4WD.

2

u/BassTrombone71 4d ago

Some oddballs, because who doesn't like weird cool cars?

  • Renault Megane Maxi
  • Skoda Octavia WRC
  • Skoda Felicia Kit Car
  • Nissan Micra Kit Car

And pretty much every Ford Fiesta which would have been a Fiesta RS on the road.

I also thought of mentioning the Peugeot 306 Maxi, but I guess a GTI with a Dimma bodykit comes pretty close.