More Group B rallycross cars added to DiRT Rally 2.0

After being introduced as a new class for DiRT Rally 2.0, the former Group B based Division 2 rallycross machines will have more variety as two new models were included by Codemasters, bringing the total to four car to choose and let loose.

The inclusions of this time were the MG Metro 6R4 and the potent Lancia Delta S4 in rallycross form, though they don’t differ that much from their rally counterparts. Coming with the Lawrence Gibson and Matti Alamäki liveries, both cars are quite close to their real life counterparts in terms of specs.

Here an explanation is needed, as the 6R4 had also a turbo version which was capable of devilish 650 horsepower in a “detuned” 2.3 litre V6 engine, seen in the later stages of the class. The Delta S4 initially had the power featured in DiRT Rally 2.0, but some late tuning brought the number to something between 600 to 800 HP, depending on occasion.

While the 6R4 was quite the underperformer in rallying compared to the monsters competing with it, its rallycross era was quite brilliant as it was seen as a good option, confirmed by its presence in British Rallycross. It made a name for itself in national and continental level with rallycross legend Will Gollop from the start to the very end in 1992, and was Gollop the responsible for getting the only Euro RX title in 1992 from a pile of scrap that ended the 1991 season in a crash.

The Delta S4 RX is more specifically the chassis 226 TO 19737F, used by Miki Biasion in WRC and then passed to Matti Alamäki, which used it in the 1987 Euro RX season before becoming a legend of the era in the Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2 RX. The turbocharger-supercharger combo was perfect for rallycross but the car was too twitchy to stay gripped to the track in its WRC aero or something close, so the in DiRT Rally 2.0 was one of the simplest of the era, as the others sported big, really big spoilers to at least make the car more maneuverable.

Speaking about twitchy cars, two characteristics will be noticed by the rallycross players in comparison to the current supercars - the car simply moves all over the place, even on straight line, and the punch on acceleration is more intense, so good control of the throttle pedal will keep you in contention for a win and also out of the walls.

The MG Metro 6R4 and Lancia Delta S4 rallycross cars are available for Deluxe Edition owners from the go, just need to download them, though those wanting them can buy each car separately.

SPECIAL THANKS:

Huge thanks to rallycross.com, Lancia Works History and especially to Rally Group B Shrine for all info and stats used in the article. This touch was needed to illustrate the DiRT Rally 2.0 new cars and those were the right places to find it.

IMAGE - DiRT Rally 2.0 screenshot