FIA offers first look at the future of elite rallycross competition

First approved by the World Motor Sport Council in December 2024, the WRC27 regulations will define the next generation of machinery for the FIA World Rally Championship from 2027. Crucially, the framework has also been designed to be applicable to rallycross, laying the groundwork for potential crossover between the FIA World Rally Championship and elite rallycross competition through a shared technical platform.

While further approvals and regulatory updates will still be required, the WRC27 package establishes a structure that enables constructors to explore concurrent programmes across rally and rallycross. The regulations allow for a common chassis to be used across both championships, supporting long-term alignment between the two disciplines.

At the core of the WRC27 concept is its tubular frame safety cell, building on the structure introduced with the 2022 Rally1 cars. Surrounding the safety cell is a bodywork framework designed to prioritise flexibility. Rather than requiring cars to be derived from current production models, the WRC27 regulations define a reference volume within which all exterior panels must sit. Within this volume, constructors are free to develop a wide range of designs, from production-based models to bespoke concepts, creating a chassis architecture that could be applied across both rally and rallycross competition.

Powertrain flexibility is a central pillar of the WRC27 philosophy. While the target configuration for the FIA World Rally Championship will be a sustainably fuelled 1.6-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine, the regulatory framework has been conceived from the outset to support both the FIA World Rally Championship and elite-level rallycross competition. For rallycross, the regulations enable the use of higher-power internal combustion engines, tailored to the short-track, high-intensity demands of the discipline. This embedded flexibility allows constructors to operate across both championships using a shared chassis platform, with powertrain solutions adapted to the specific, performance and sporting requirements of each series.

The new renderings released by the FIA provide the first visual representation of how the WRC27 framework could be applied in practice. Offering teams, constructors and fans an early indication of how the regulations could shape the future direction of both the FIA World Rally Championship and elite-rallycross competition, while reinforcing the FIA’s broader vision for alignment across its road sport categories.

FIA Rallycross Sporting Manager James Nixon said: “Rallycross has been waiting for a regulatory package that encourages flexibility and enables crossover with other championships. Aligning the technical framework with the WRC, while retaining the ability to adapt powertrains to suit each discipline, provides exactly that. It creates a clear and credible pathway for the future of elite-level rallycross, giving manufacturers and teams the confidence to invest across road-sport categories. With the framework now established, the FIA and ASNs can work together on a clear roadmap for the sport, focused on increasing participation and strengthening investment within the championship, while ensuring International and National Rallycross championships continue to evolve in line with their distinct sporting identities.”