Top 10 most iconic rally cars of all time

WRC has produced some of the most amazing motorsport machines ever. Here's the shortlist. - By Tyler Heatley

1w ago

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Rally cars are a special breed. Leaping through the air, surging through water, and covering rough ground faster than anything else on four wheels, they are awe-inspiring. From the legends of Group B to today’s modern heroes, there have been some truly iconic examples.

Here are our top 10 most iconic rally cars of all time.

Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2

When the Audi Quattro introduced all-wheel drive to the world of rallying, it fundamentally changed the sport forever. Even today AWD is the dominant formula, and in period the Quattro set the example. The S1 E2 was arguably the ultimate Audi Quattro.

Taking full advantage of menacing aerodynamic bodywork, the lightened rally fighter made use off over 500bhp from its inline five-cylinder engine. This was Audi’s final Group B rally car.

Peugeot 205 T16

Another legend of Group B, the 205 T16 was more of a caricature of the regular 205. It featured all-wheel drive, a heavily modified body, and the engine was mounted in the middle. It won 16 WRC events and proved to be a real force in the world of Group B.

To comply with Group B rules, 200 road legal T16s had to be built.

Subaru Impreza WRC 2001

Images of a blue Subaru with gold wheels made for fond memories of rally fans the world over, and in 2001 Richard Burns became champion driving his Impreza WRC. Noted for its bug-eyes, the all-wheel drive machine was totally revised for this season.

Volkswagen Polo R WRC

They came, they conquered, they left. Volkswagen’s stint in rallying resulted in total domination thanks to the Polo WRC. The all-wheel drive hatchback quickly upset the order and delivered multiple championships consecutively.

Volkswagen’s misdeeds with diesel ultimately lead to the plug being pulled don this project.

Citroen C4 WRC

Arguably the most successful rally car of all time, the French hatch cleaned up in the hands of Sebastian Loeb. Winning 36 events and four drivers titles in a row, its momentum was only stopped by a rule change.