Before the Polo GTI and the C3, Skoda keeps control in R5

Established in 2013, the R5 category revolutionized the second series of the WRC and the various tests of rally worldwide. The FIA ​​decided at the time to replace the aging S2000s with these models close to the WRC. The R5s have a 4l 1.6-cylinder turbo engine with a 32mm flange, a five-speed sequential gearbox and all-wheel drive. The maximum price for purchasing a car has been set at €180.

Citroën et M-Sport ont été les premiers à se lancer sur le marché en proposant respectivement la DS 3 et la Ford Fiesta dans la gamme. Le modèle français reprenant les formes de la version WRC a reçu différents kits de développement afin de gommer ses faiblesses, avec notamment un kit évo 2016 offrant de nouveaux amortisseurs et des réparations plus simples à effectuer.

Despite everything, M-Sport will have had better success in the category. The British structure, champion among Drivers and Manufacturers in the WRC this season, has the record in terms of sales since it celebrated its 250th production this Monday.

The Ford Fiesta R5 is our most successful global rally car and the 250th is now ready for collection! pic.twitter.com/qzNfu91xkp

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) November 27, 2017

Peugeot joined the category in 2014 with the 208 T16. It is mainly in ERC that she will experience success with several victories of Craig Breen which will allow him to be spotted by Citroën Racing when the Chevron brand made its return to the WRC.

The R5 category changed its face in 2015 when Skoda launched its Fabia R5 whose mission was to follow the trend of the Fabia S2000, the benchmark in the category. The new R5 fulfilled its task brilliantly by quickly proving itself to be the most efficient and reliable, pushing the crews to opt for this model. She won numerous national titles, notably in France with Sylvain Michel and in WRC 2 with Pontus Tidemand this year. The Czech brand, part of the Volkswagen Group, has already sold more than 150 models.

Malgré les performances de la Fabia R5, Hyundai Motorsport a tenu à lancer la version R5 de sa nouvelle i20. Elle a fait ses débuts en compétition au Tour de Corse et a rapidement affiché des performances prometteuses. Jordan Berfa a notamment décroché le titre de champion de France des Rallyes Terre sur une monture coréenne.

The R5 category continues to grow with new cars in preparation. Volkswagen Motorsport is preparing to return semi-officially with its GTI Polo currently in development. Citroën is also preparing the R5 version of its C3. Proton will also launch its Iriz sometime next year.