Incredibly fast and dangerous, the Group B era is regarded as one of the most insane periods in the history of the World Rally Championship. The year was 1983, when the FIA announced a new set of regulations reducing the number of cars required for homologation, and was aimed to push the boundaries of technology and car design. With no restrictions on boost pressure, no minimum required weight and unlimited use of high-tech materials, Group B cars quickly evolved to fire-breathing monsters built to go fast on any given terrain.
However, as speeds increased, so did the danger, as a series of fatal high-profile accidents and lack of crowd control meant the Group B era only lasted until 1986, and was replaced by the production-based Group A cars in 1987. Though the era was short-lived, Group B cars acquired legendary status for rally fans and automotive enthusiasts alike due to the terrifying speed and sophisticated technologies that they possessed. With that being said, here are some examples of rally cars that raced in the Group B era.
10 Audi Quattro Sport S1
We start off with rallying's most iconic game-changer, the four-wheel-drive Audi Quattro. Back then, rally cars were limited to two-wheel-drive, as car manufacturers thought the added weight of the drivetrain would make the cars too heavy and uncompetitive.
However, Audi proved everyone wrong, and single-handedly changed the world of rallying thanks to the superior traction brought about by their Quattro four-wheel-drive system. By the end of 1986, the Quattro Sport S1 developed over 590 hp, while only weighing 2,400 lbs.
9 Lancia 037
Jeremy Clarkson's feature on the rivalry between Audi and Lancia in the Group B era tells you all you need to know about the Lancia 037. It's the last-ever rally car to win the WRC using only two-wheel drive.
Backed by an experienced team with clever racing tactics, the 325hp, 2,116-lb. Lancia 037 beat the Audi Quattro in 1983 for the constructors' championship, thanks to the driving genius of Walter Rohrl, Attilio Bettega, and Markku Alen.
8 Peugeot 205 T16
The Peugeot 205 T16 was the car that ended Audi's domination of the World Rally Championship. It was lighter, shorter, and more powerful than the Quattro, and utilized a mid-engine layout for better weight distribution. As a result, Peugeot won the 1985 title with Timo Salonen and Ari Vatanen as their lead drivers.
As the Group B formula was short-lived, the Peugeot 205 T16 went down in history as the most successful car in the Group B era, amassing two drivers' and constructors' titles, and won 16 rallies in total.
7 Ford RS200
The Ford RS200 had all the makings of an all-conquering rally car — a mid-engined layout, four-wheel drive, and lightweight chassis. But before its potential was realized in the WRC, FIA had already pulled the plug on the Group B formula.
A third-place finish in its debut saw the potential of the RS200 into competing with the likes of the 205 T16, but eventually, the series of accidents the car got into, contributed to the demise of the Group B era.
6 Renault 5 Turbo
Built originally as a Group 4 car, the Renault 5 Turbo rally car was very different from its road-going counterpart, as the competition version had a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, compared to the production version's front-engine, front-wheel drive.
The Renault 5 Turbo was designed by Bertone, and the mid-engined layout was inspired by the all-conquering Lancia Stratos of the early 80s. It was also the concept that inspired Renault years later to release the Clio V6.
5 MG Metro 6R4
The MG Metro was a bestseller during its time in production, but the 6R4 (6-cylinder, rear-engine, four-wheel drive) version built for Group B was a different kind of monster. It developed over 410 hp in competition spec back in 1985, and was built by none other than the Williams F1 Team.
With a huge front and rear wing, the MG Metro 6R4 had insane amounts of grip, and was Colin McRae's favorite weapon of choice when entering historic rallies.
4 Mitsubishi Starion 4WD
Mitsubishi's successor to the Lancer 2000 Turbo was supposed to be the Starion 4WD, a rally car based on the Starion sports car that the Japanese marque built during the 1980s. The rally version sported shorter overhangs, and used a more conventional headlamp layout compared to the road-going version's pop-up headlamps.
It developed over 350 hp and weighed just a little over 2,100 lbs, and could have taken the fight to Peugeot, Audi and Lancia in the Group B era. However, before it was homologated for competition, the FIA had already banned Group B cars, and the potential of the Starion 4WD was not realized.
3 Ferrari 288 GTO
Same as the Starion 4WD, the Ferrari 288 GTO sadly never proved its worth in the World Rally Championship due to the abrupt end in 1986. It would have been fascinating to see Ferrari in rallying, as the Italian marque usually competed in only sealed surface events.
Had the Group B era continued, Ferrari intended to produce 20 288 GTO Evoluziones for homologation purposes. However, the project, later on, morphed into one of the greatest cars in history — the Ferrari F40.
2 Opel Manta 400
While it was not as competitive as its rivals in Group B due to its obsolete front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, the Opel Manta 400 was still one of the most technologically-advanced cars of that era.
The car made full use of Kevlar body panels, and developed over 275 hp in competition form. Unlike other Group B cars, the Manta 400 saw continued use in other national competitions, and was used by Jimmy McRae to win in the British Rally Championship.
1 Lancia Delta S4
Last but not the least, the very car that ended the Group B era once and for all. The Lancia Delta S4 was the successor of the rear-wheel drive 037, and now featured a four-wheel drive, mid-engine layout similar to the successful Peugeot 205 T16.
It had a twincharged engine, meaning it had a supercharger and a turbocharger in its 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, which developed over 500 hp in competition trim. It only weighed 1,962 lbs thanks to a tubular space frame construction and Kevlar body panels. Ultimately, the insane power and lightweight frame it had led to Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto's fatal accident in the 1986 Tour de Corse, where the car burst into flames when it plunged down to a ravine. The accident led to the cancellation of the Group B rally cars, and effectively put the golden era of rallying to an unfortunate end.