Ford unveils Puma Hybrid Rally1 car

Shown here in its racing livery for the first time, the M‑Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car is built to the new-for-2022 WRC regs which allow hybrid engines for the first time.

Ford says its new rally weapon’s powertrain is the same in principle to that of the Puma hybrid that we can buy. But with the turbo 1.6-litre petrol engine’s 380PS (283kW) boosted in three-second bursts by another 100kW from the electric motor, it’s a lot more powerful; 0-62mph takes 3.2 seconds, almost three times quicker than the showroom Puma.

Like a hybrid for the road, energy is captured during braking and coasting and stored in a 3.9kWh battery. It’s enough power for the electric motor alone to drive the 1,260kg machine through towns between stages. The battery takes 25 minutes to recharge at service points.

“One of the most captivating aspects of WRC down the years has been the clear link between the ultra-high performance rally cars and their road-going equivalents," Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook tells us.

"Campaigning the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car in the toughest conditions is going to help us develop even more exciting electrified powertrains for our customers.”

The first big test comes on 20^th January when the Monte Carlo Rally gets under way. Joining rally legend and seven-times Monte winner Loeb in the three-car line-up will be Craig Breen, Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith. It’s thought Loeb will only be doing the Monte.

Loeb in the Ford and Thierry Neuville in the equally new and electrified Hyundai Rally1 i20 promises a spectacle to enthral all rally lovers. But for the season as a whole Ford has something else to prove, too: 2022 marks the 25^th anniversary of Ford and M-Sport, a partnership that has delivered seven championships and more than 1,500 stage wins in iconic rally cars including the M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC and the Ford Focus RS WRC.

“With the help and support of Ford colleagues all over the globe we have produced a fantastic car with huge potential and we cannot wait to showcase it during the year,” says M-Sport Team principal Richard Millener. Exciting rally action in prospect then. Let battle commence!