Saab targets WRC in 2012

After the departures of Peugeot , Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, the World Rally Championship has found itself carried, in recent years, by Ford and Citroën. But the presence of two manufacturers can hardly ensure the sustainability of a championship in the long term, due to the strategic choices that can be made by the different brands. Thus, the news which is pouring in can only rejoice North One Sport, promoter of the WRC. " We could have four, maybe even five, manufacturers in 2012 », confides to Autosport Simon Long, director of North One Sport.

« The announcement made by Mini last week gave confidence in this sport He continues. " The messages we receive during meetings with possible manufacturers are all positive: we have the right technical regulations and the costs are reasonable. They realize that they need publicity to get out of the period we have just gone through. The WRC is the ideal place for that. »

Thus, in addition to Volkswagen and Toyota, Saab could try its luck in the WRC. “ The first meetings took place, confirms a source close to the matter to the magazine. There is a lot of enthusiasm around this project. From what we understand, Saab sees the WRC as a perfect platform to launch a new product and rebuild the brand. Like Mini, Saab has a significant history in motorsport and a return to the WRC would be meaningful. »

The targeted season would be 2012, like Volkswagen and Mini, even if the Countryman WRC will already compete in a few events in 2011. The Mini model could also share its BMW 1.6 liter unit with the Saab WRC.