M-Sport presents the new Ford Fiesta R5

M-Sport a présenté la nouvelle Ford Fiesta R5 qui sera homologuée en juillet. La structure de Malcolm Wilson présente le modèle phare de sa gamme, l’ancien modèle s’étant écoulé à plus de 250 exemplaires.

The design of the new Fiesta R5 began in January 2018 and its first tests began last December. This car rally powered by a 1.6 turbo with 290hp and 475Nm of torque, it will notably have new front and rear suspension elements and adjustable shock absorbers from Reiger. The geometry has been redesigned to optimize traction and stability.

“The Fiord Fiesta R5 is our most famous rally car, notes director Malcolm Wilson. It's a very special car for us. Even the first models continue to win rallies and titles all over the world. So we took our time to make sure that the new model will be better than the previous one. »

“The testing program has been intense and we have ensured that this new car is suitable for every driving level, continues the Briton. We literally traveled the world testing it on all kinds of surfaces, in varying conditions with multiple riders. This car is very important to us and its ability to adapt to anything is essential to its success. »

This is Bernardo Fernandes, a 28-year-old engineer who worked on the Ford Fiesta WRC de Sébastien Ogier in 2017, who had the honor of leading the project.

“It was the first time that I was at the head of a project, admits the engineer. It was a challenge but a real privilege to have this responsibility. The old Ford Fiesta R5 was still very competitive in the right hands, but we took the time to improve every area of ​​the car... The hardest part is finding the best compromise between cost and performance. We had many experiences that helped and allowed us to develop a rigorous testing program on many surfaces and many riders. »

As we announced to you in issue 2219 of AUTOhebdo currently on newsstands, it will be Éric Camilli who will have the honor of being behind the wheel of the new Ford Fiesta R5 during the first public presentation. The new machine from the M-Sport workshops will act as the zero car during the Ypres Rally held from June 27 to 29.

“I'm really looking forward to driving this all-new Ford Fiesta R5 at the Ypres Rally, comments the Frenchman. I remember that Thierry Neuville did the same with the original version, in 2013, and so it's cool to find myself in this same situation six years later with the new version! I took part in the testing and development of this new car and I must say that the guys at M-Sport did a fantastic job. As soon as you get behind the wheel, you feel the improvements, you perceive that designers and engineers have really progressed in all areas! »