M-Sport Ford has taken an important step towards the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship season, with the first test footage of its updated Ford Fiesta Rally2 fitted with the new Rally2-WRC kit revealing a more aggressive-looking rally car designed to meet the championship’s upcoming technical regulations.
Videos published online show the car undergoing testing in the El Cobert de Puigcercós area of Catalonia, Spain. According to the video description, M-Sport driver Matthew Wilson was behind the wheel, putting the updated Fiesta through its paces as the team prepares for the next chapter of the WRC.
The first footage highlights several noticeable changes to the familiar Fiesta Rally2. The new package introduces revised aerodynamic components around the wheel arches, a larger rear wing designed to increase downforce and an additional front spoiler positioned along the lower section of the front bumper. Together, these modifications give the car a more purposeful appearance, reflecting the aerodynamic requirements of the new regulations.
Under the bonnet, the Fiesta Rally2 retains its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, with power delivered to all four wheels through a five-speed sequential gearbox. While the underlying car remains recognisable, the new aerodynamic package represents a significant development as M-Sport prepares to compete under the revised technical framework.
The 2027 season will mark the beginning of a new era for the World Rally Championship, with the introduction of the WRC27 regulations. The new framework is intended to reduce development costs and make the championship's top category more accessible to manufacturers and independent constructors.
One of the key elements is the introduction of the Rally2-WRC kit, which allows eligible existing Rally2 cars to compete alongside purpose-built WRC27 machinery during the initial seasons of the new regulations. The package includes homologated aerodynamic upgrades intended to improve parity between the two types of car.
For M-Sport, the updated Ford Fiesta represents an opportunity to remain competitive during this transitional period while preparing for its longer-term plans with Ford. The team has extensive experience developing Rally2 machinery and will be looking to use that expertise as the championship moves into its next technical cycle.
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