Fiat Punto Super 1600
The Fiat Punto S1600 (above) made history by winning the first event of the ERC’s modern era in 2004 with Giandomenico Basso behind the wheel. Basso and co-driver Mitia Dotta took two further wins before the car was superseded by the Abarth Grande Punto Super 2000 as the S2000 period began.
Sat 30 Nov 2024
Five great cars that didn't make the ERC Greatest Car vote
While 16 cars were shortlisted for the ERC Greatest Car of the modern era public vote, several notable machines didn’t make the cut. Here are five that just fell short during the nomination process.
Ford Fiesta RRC
When Regional Rally Cars ruled, the Ford Fiesta RRC (above) set the standard. A scaled up S2000, RRCs came with 1.6-litre turbo engines, enhanced aero but a smaller restrictor to control performance. The Fiesta registered six ERC wins between 2012 and 2014 before the category was phased out.
Mini John Cooper Works S2000
After being beaten to victory on the 2014 Jänner Rallye by Robert Kubica’s Ford Fiesta RRC during a final-stage decider, Václav Pech hit back by winning Barum Czech Rally Zlín later that year aboard his Mini John Cooper Works S2000 1.6T (above).
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
The combination of its superior top speed perfectly matching Rally Estonia’s fast-paced stages and the fact it was cheap to run made the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (above) the car of choice for the cash-strapped Alexey Lukyanuk on the gravel round in 2015. Lukyanuk’s victory was the last for a production-based car in the ERC.
Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
Škoda’s latest customer rally car, the Fabia RS Rally2 (avbove), has won seven times in the ERC since it was unleashed for the 2023 season. It narrowly missed out on being nominated for the ERC Greatest Car contest with its trio of predecessors – the Fabia S2000, Fabia R5 and Fabia Rally2 Evo – chosen instead.
ERC Greatest Car of the modern era refresher
It’s not just the drivers who have starred since the FIA European Rally Championship calendar was streamlined into the format recognisable today.
Following that landmark moment in 2004, some of the greatest rally cars ever built have battled for glory in the various categories that continue to ensure the ERC remains as popular as it is relevant.
The ERC Greatest Car competition has been giving fans the chance to vote for their favourite car of the modern era from a shortlist of 16 great ERC cars prepared by our team of experts. The contest is now at the final stage between the Renault Clio Super 1600 and Škoda Fabia Super 2000 with voting available through the ERC’s social media channels from 2 - 5 December. The winner will be announced on 6 December.
Japan
Poland
Turkey