Ford said the new rally car was designed and built in less than 11 months by a team led by Christian Loriaux, technical director at British-based company M-Sport, which operates Ford's WRC program.
"It is unrealistic to expect us to win a world title next year," said BP-Ford team director Malcolm Wilson. "The car is too new for that. But I fervently believe that we will win rallies and lay a solid platform for a world championship bid in 2007.
"The new rally car is powered by Ford's 2.0-liter Pipo-built I4 engine that makes 300 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a Ricardo five-speed sequential gearbox.
A year ago, Ford of Europe announced a four-year commitment to the World Rally Championship, confirming the sport as the company's primary motor sport activity.
The car will be driven in 2006 by double world champions Marcus Gronholm and Timo Rautiainen, along with Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen.
© edmunds.com
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