Top 5 most striking liveries in WRC

5. Mitsubishi / Marlboro

There was a time when tobacco companies flooded motorsports. Before the reign of energy drinks, this industry was reflected on all the bodies of major championships. THE WRC has not escaped this, notably with a partnership between Marlboro and Mitsubishi, which coincided with the end of the reign of Tommi Mäkinen and Risto Mannisenmäki in 1999.

To circumvent anti-smoking laws in several countries (including France), the American brand came up with the idea of ​​replacing the Marlboro inscription with the first names of the pilots, “Tommi” and “Freddy”, for Freddy Loix. Clever!

Marlboro then accompanied Peugeot from 2003 to 2005, although with no titles but more rally victories.

4. Toyota, 1990s

As is often the case in competition, decorations derive from sponsorship contracts. The one linking Toyota Team Europe with Castrol between 1993 and 1998 left its mark, as the livery of the Celica then the Corolla remained identical during this period!

Simple but clean, the decor included dynamic shapes of green and red, the traditional colors of lubricant. This design remains associated with the first title of a French crew in WRC, that of Didier Auriol and Bernard Occelli in 1994. 

In 1998, Toyota decided to give a friendly nod to the most legendary rounds on the calendar. The decor is modified several times. Thus, the Acropolis is represented by an ancient gladiator's head and a drawing of the Parthenon. In Argentina, a herd of ruminant cattle accompanies Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz. 

In Australia, leaping kangaroos are drawn while in Corsica, the island's emblem is displayed. New Zealand and its kiwis (the animal, not the fruit!) surround the race numbers Finally, the RAC and its typically British weather is highlighted by a multitude of umbrellas! 

So many variations which still delight collectors of miniature cars today.

3. Peugeot 205 T16

A little chauvinism doesn't hurt, especially if it's well placed! During the Peugeot adventure in Group B, it was not a logo or a design decided by the title sponsor which decided on the livery but rather the Peugeot Talbot Sport emblem.

The four colors of the “PTS” logo, navy blue, sky blue, yellow and red, made an impression. This design alone is synonymous with a gigantic turbo, spectators placed on the road until the last moment, sound and fury. 

Are we exaggerating? Just take a look at the decoration of Sébastien's Peugeot 208 T16 Loeb for Pikes Peak in 2013 to see the presence of this logo, 30 years old, on the bodywork. Even sites offer stickers for sale, or even floor mats bearing the image of this logo!

2. Subaru 

Simpler would be a feat, and yet it works. Gold rims, a completely navy blue car and all the sponsors in fluorescent yellow. It only took three elements to give this vehicle, unknown at the turn of the 1990s, a personality.

The Prodrive team, which entered the unattractive Subaru Legacy between 1990 and 1992, entered into a partnership with the Asian cigarette brand 555 in 1993. Almost at the same time, the Impreza was introduced in the Mondial. The result leaves you dreaming! 

Over the years, the 555 logos will be judiciously replaced by the star logo of the Japanese brand in countries prohibiting all tobacco advertising. The livery is even more beautiful: 

It is no coincidence that the Subaru adventure in the WRC came to a pitiful end in 2008 after a livery without any personality, which ignored the “flashy” tradition and which did not fit well with the clumsy design of the Impreza. S14…

1. Lancia / Martini 

You didn't think we were going to forget it? The Martini distillery got involved in the Mondial by supporting Lancia at the turn of the 1980s. The splendid 037 inaugurated a ten-year sponsorship with the Italian manufacturer. 

The blue and red stripes on a white base give a certain dynamism to the 037 by matching its hips and shoulders. The Delta S4 then the refined Group A version are entitled to the same preferential treatment, with inspired adjustments. 

This signature is so linked to competition that Lancia will market a version of the Delta HF Integrale adorned with the Martini coat of arms. A few years later, the beverage brand signed an agreement with M-Sport to cover the Ford Focuses of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz, between 1999 and 2002.