Rallying has never had one permanent class structure. The FIA has repeatedly replaced its regulations as road-car technology, safety standards, manufacturing volumes and competition costs have changed.

The word class can also mean several different things. Group A was a technical group, while A6 and A8 were capacity classes within that group. World Rally Car was a technical formula, while WRC2 was a sporting championship for cars from another technical category. RC1, RC2 and RC3 are modern event-classification buckets rather than vehicle designs.

This article covers the major international FIA stage-rally groups and formulas that formed the recognised global ladder. It includes the main capacity subdivisions where those labels became widely used in results and regulations.

It does not attempt to list every local class created by every national sporting authority. Names such as Open, Modified, Clubman, Group F, Group H, Proto, NR4 and National 4WD can describe very different vehicles in different countries.

Historic rallying also allows old cars to compete today, but its modern age categories are eligibility periods rather than new technical formulas. A Group 4 car remains a Group 4 car even when it appears in a modern FIA historic category.

The FIA Historic Database preserves period Appendix J regulations reaching back through the original Groups 1-6 system and the later N, A and B era.

The complete FIA rally timeline

Period	Major classes introduced or dominant	What changed
1960s-1981	Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4	Production touring and GT cars were separated by production volume and modification freedom.
1982	Groups N, A and B	The old numbered production groups were replaced by a new three-group system.
1982-1986	Group B	Low-volume, highly modified cars became the fastest WRC machinery.
1987-1996	Group A	High-volume production cars replaced Group B at the top of the World Rally Championship.
1980s-2000s	Group N	Near-production cars provided a lower-cost international category, with N4 becoming the leading four-wheel-drive class.
1993-1999	Formula 2 Rally	Two-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated cars received an international championship and strong manufacturer support.
Mid-1990s-2000s	Kit Car	Wider, lighter and more powerful Group A two-wheel-drive cars appeared in A6 and A7.
1997-2021	World Rally Car	The top class moved away from requiring a manufacturer to sell a direct four-wheel-drive turbo road homologation model.
2001-2010	Super 1600	A cost-controlled 1.6-litre two-wheel-drive category became the Junior WRC formula.
2006-2013	Super 2000	Naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-wheel-drive customer cars became a major international class.
2008 onward	Group R	R1, R2, R3, R4 and later R5 created a clearer development ladder.
2011-2013	Regional Rally Car	Restricted 1.6-litre turbo versions of contemporary World Rally Cars formed a short-lived regional formula.
2013 onward	R5	A new cost-capped 1.6-litre turbo four-wheel-drive customer formula replaced Super 2000.
2018 onward	R4 Kit	A common four-wheel-drive kit allowed regional constructors to build cars below R5 performance.
2019-2021	Rally pyramid renaming	R1 became Rally5, R2 became Rally4 and R5 became Rally2; Rally3 was created as a new class.
2022 onward	Rally1	Rally1 replaced World Rally Car as the WRC’s premier technical category.
2022-2024	Hybrid Rally1	A standard plug-in hybrid system raised combined output beyond 500 bhp.
2025-2026	Non-hybrid Rally1	The hybrid unit was removed, minimum weight fell and the engine restrictor became smaller.
2024 onward	Rally5-Kit	ASNs gained a lower-cost route for creating safe entry-level cars from suitable production models.
2026 onward	E-Rally5 and Rally6	Electric and very low-cost combustion-engine entry formulas expanded the base of the ladder.

The dates indicate the main period of international use. Older cars often remained eligible for national, regional or historic competition long after their category stopped being the FIA’s current formula.

The original numbered production groups

From the 1960s through 1981, the FIA’s Appendix J divided recognised production cars into numbered groups.

In the 1971 regulations, Group 1 required 5,000 cars in 12 months, Group 2 required 1,000, Group 3 required 1,000 and Group 4 required 500. The exact production thresholds and technical freedoms changed during the long life of the system.

Groups 1 and 2 were principally touring-car categories. Groups 3 and 4 were intended for grand touring cars, although rally homologation practice eventually included some models that did not resemble a traditional two-seat GT.

Group 5 and Group 6 also existed, but neither formed the normal foundation of top-level international stage rallying. Group 5 changed meaning between periods, while Group 6 was a prototype-sports category.

Group 1: series-production touring cars

Group 1 was the closest major international category to a showroom touring car.

The manufacturer had to produce the required large number of essentially identical vehicles. Modification freedom was limited, and many components had to remain as supplied on the homologated production model.

Safety equipment, competition seats, harnesses, lighting and certain suspension or engine adjustments were permitted as the rules evolved, but the category was not intended to create a highly specialised rally prototype.

Most Group 1 cars were two-wheel drive because that reflected the production market of the period. Front- and rear-wheel-drive models both appeared.

Group 1 area	Representative specification
Main era	1960s-1981
Production requirement	5,000 identical cars in 12 months under the 1971 rules
Typical engine	Production-derived naturally aspirated petrol engine
Representative power	Approximately 50-200 bhp / 37-149 kW
Weight	Usually close to the homologated production weight; approximately 700-1,400 kg across all capacities
Driven wheels	Usually front- or rear-wheel drive
Modification level	Low
Later replacement	Most valid Group 1 homologations transferred into Group A or the new production structure from 1982

Group 2: special touring cars

Group 2 used touring-car bodies but allowed substantially more preparation than Group 1.

Engines could receive greater internal development, carburation or fuel-injection changes, competition exhausts and other homologated parts. Suspension, brakes, wheels and transmission components could also be upgraded more extensively.

The lower production threshold allowed manufacturers to create more specialised road versions as a basis for competition.

Group 2 became a popular class for Ford Escorts, BMWs, Fiats, Opels, Saabs and other widely available touring models.

Group 2 area	Representative specification
Main era	1960s-1981
Production requirement	1,000 identical cars in 12 months under the 1971 rules
Typical engine	Modified production engine, usually naturally aspirated
Representative power	Approximately 90-300 bhp / 67-224 kW
Weight	Approximately 700-1,200 kg depending on model and capacity
Driven wheels	Predominantly front- or rear-wheel drive
Modification level	Medium to high
1982 transition	Eligible old homologations could transfer into Group B

Group 3: series-production grand touring cars

Group 3 was the grand-touring counterpart to Group 1. It contained lower-volume sports and GT cars with relatively limited modification freedom.

These cars generally had two seats or a compact 2+2 cabin, although the precise seating and dimensional definitions came from Appendix J.

Rear-wheel drive was the most common layout because it dominated the contemporary sports-car market.

Group 3 area	Representative specification
Main era	1960s-1981
Production requirement	1,000 identical cars in 12 months under the 1971 rules
Typical engine	Production sports-car engine
Representative power	Approximately 70-250 bhp / 52-186 kW
Weight	Approximately 700-1,300 kg
Driven wheels	Usually rear-wheel drive
Modification level	Low to medium
1982 transition	Eligible homologations could transfer into Group B

Group 4: special grand touring cars

Lancia Stratos HF Group 4 rally car

A Lancia Stratos HF Group 4.

Group 4 became the defining top rally category of the 1970s and early 1980s.

It allowed a low-volume production basis and considerably more competition development than Group 3. The engine, brakes, suspension, bodywork and transmission could be altered through the permitted homologation system.

Famous Group 4 cars included the Alpine A110, Lancia Stratos, Fiat 131 Abarth, Ford Escort RS1800, Porsche 911, Renault 5 Turbo and early Audi quattro.

Rear-wheel drive dominated most of the period. Four-wheel drive became decisive at the end of the Group 4 era when Audi demonstrated its traction advantage.

Group 4 area	Representative specification
Main international era	1960s-1981, with transferred cars continuing after 1982
Production requirement	500 cars under the 1971 rules; requirements varied later
Typical engine	Naturally aspirated or turbocharged production-derived competition engine
Representative power	Approximately 180-350 bhp / 134-261 kW
Weight	Approximately 700-1,200 kg depending on model and capacity
Driven wheels	Usually rear-wheel drive; four-wheel drive also permitted and increasingly important
Modification level	High
Replacement	Group B

Group 5: an important name, but not a central rally formula

Group 5 changed meaning during its existence. In the early Appendix J structure it referred to production-based sports cars with an extremely low minimum production number. In the later 1976-1981 system, it became the famous Special Production Car category associated mainly with circuit racing.

Group 5 cars could be extremely powerful and heavily modified. They appeared in occasional mixed-discipline events and are relevant to rally history, but Group 5 never became the normal top World Rally Championship class in the way that Group 4, Group B, Group A or World Rally Car did.

Group 5 area	Representative specification
Main era	Several definitions between the 1960s and 1981
Representative power	Approximately 150-500+ bhp / 112-373+ kW
Later minimum-weight scale	Approximately 500-850 kg according to capacity
Driven wheels	Model dependent
Rally importance	Peripheral rather than a standard international stage-rally category

Group 6 covered prototypes and is not treated as a normal production rally class in this guide.

Groups 1-4 compared

Group	Production concept	Representative power	Typical weight	Common drive	Freedom
Group 1	Large-volume touring car	50-200 bhp / 37-149 kW	700-1,400 kg	FWD or RWD	Low
Group 2	Special touring car	90-300 bhp / 67-224 kW	700-1,200 kg	FWD or RWD	Medium to high
Group 3	Series-production GT	70-250 bhp / 52-186 kW	700-1,300 kg	Usually RWD	Low to medium
Group 4	Special GT	180-350 bhp / 134-261 kW	700-1,200 kg	Mostly RWD; some 4WD	High

Group 1 and Group 3 were the relatively standard categories. Group 2 and Group 4 were their more highly developed equivalents.

The 1982 reset: Group N, Group A and Group B

Appendix J was reorganised for 1982. The old numbered production groups were replaced by Groups N, A and B.

Group N covered large-scale series-production touring cars with limited modifications. Group A covered large-scale production cars with substantially greater development freedom. Group B covered lower-volume series-production grand touring cars with the greatest freedom.

At introduction, Group N and Group A were linked to a 5,000-car production requirement. Group B required only 200 identical units in 12 months.

Older Group 1 cars could transfer into Group A, while valid Groups 2, 3 and 4 homologations could transfer into Group B under the transitional provisions.

Group B: the low-volume high-performance category

Audi Sport quattro S1 Group B rally car

An Audi Sport quattro S1 from the Group B era.

Group B became the World Rally Championship’s top category between 1982 and 1986.

The low 200-car homologation requirement made it possible to create specialised road-going models whose main purpose was to legalise a competition car.

Manufacturers could homologate further evolution components in small batches. Engines, turbochargers, bodywork, suspension and transmissions developed rapidly.

Group B did not require four-wheel drive. The Lancia 037 won the 1983 manufacturers’ championship with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive nevertheless became the dominant solution because it could transfer far more power to loose surfaces.

Top cars progressed from approximately 300-400 bhp in the early period to more than 500 bhp. Some final developments approached or exceeded 600 bhp in short-duration configurations.

Group B was removed from the World Rally Championship after the 1986 season following a series of fatal accidents. The cars continued in rallycross, hill climbs and some national or historic events.

Group B area	Specification
Main WRC era	1982-1986
Production requirement	200 identical cars in 12 months at introduction
Evolution requirement	Small additional production batches under period homologation rules
Engine	Naturally aspirated, turbocharged or supercharged; model dependent
Representative top-class power	Approximately 350-600 bhp / 261-447 kW
Weight	Capacity-linked; roughly 580-1,300 kg under the original scale
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
Common top-car weight	Approximately 890-1,100 kg depending on corrected capacity
Replacement	Group A became the WRC’s top category in 1987

The original 1982 Group B weight scale began at 580 kg for cars up to 1,000 cc corrected capacity, reached 890 kg at 2,500 cc, 960 kg at 3,000 cc and 1,100 kg at 4,000 cc.

The commonly used Group B capacity classes

Period results often used class numbers rather than listing only “Group B.” The commonly encountered upper classes were B/9, B/10, B/11 and B/12.

Class	Corrected capacity	Representative power	1982 minimum-weight region	Common drive
B/9	Up to approximately 1,300 cc	100-180 bhp / 75-134 kW	580-675 kg	Usually 2WD
B/10	More than 1,300 to 1,600 cc	140-220 bhp / 104-164 kW	750 kg	Usually 2WD
B/11	More than 1,600 to 2,000 cc	180-300 bhp / 134-224 kW	820 kg	2WD or 4WD
B/12	More than 2,000 cc corrected	250-600 bhp / 186-447 kW	890-1,300 kg according to corrected capacity	RWD or 4WD; 4WD dominated the final era

Not every country or event displayed the labels identically, and turbo-equivalence calculations could move a relatively small physical engine into B/12.

Group A: high-volume but highly developed

1995 Subaru Impreza 555 Group A rally car

A 1995 Subaru Impreza 555 from the Group A era.

Group A was introduced in 1982 and became the World Rally Championship’s top formula after Group B was removed.

It required a much larger production basis than Group B. Manufacturers therefore had to develop a road car containing the fundamental engine, transmission and body architecture needed for competition.

That requirement created famous homologation specials including the Lancia Delta Integrale, Toyota Celica GT-Four, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Ford Escort RS Cosworth and Mazda 323 4WD.

Group A still allowed extensive racing development. Manufacturers homologated competition gearboxes, turbochargers, suspension parts, body components and evolution models.

Top WRC Group A cars were limited to approximately 300 bhp by intake restrictors during the mature era. Their real advantage came from torque, four-wheel-drive systems, differentials, suspension and continuous development.

Although World Rally Car replaced Group A as the premier formula in 1997, some manufacturers continued using Group A cars afterward. Mitsubishi famously won top-level events and championships with Lancer Evolutions that remained Group A based.

Group A minimum weights at introduction

Corrected capacity	1982 Group A minimum weight
Up to 1,000 cc	620 kg
Up to 1,300 cc	720 kg
Up to 1,600 cc	800 kg
Up to 2,000 cc	880 kg
Up to 2,500 cc	960 kg
Up to 3,000 cc	1,035 kg
Up to 4,000 cc	1,185 kg
Up to 5,000 cc	1,325 kg
Over 5,000 cc	1,400 kg

The rules changed after 1982. By the mature WRC period, top turbocharged four-wheel-drive Group A cars commonly competed around 1,230 kg under the applicable championship rules.

The main Group A rally classes

The labels A5, A6, A7 and A8 became the most familiar mature-era Group A rally divisions. Exact class presentation could vary by year and championship.

Class	Common capacity band	Representative power	Representative weight	Common drive
A5	Up to 1,400 cc	80-150 bhp / 60-112 kW	Approximately 750-950 kg	Usually FWD
A6	More than 1,400 to 1,600 cc	140-230 bhp / 104-172 kW	Approximately 850-1,000 kg	Usually FWD
A7	More than 1,600 to 2,000 cc	180-300 bhp / 134-224 kW	Approximately 900-1,100 kg	Usually FWD or RWD
A8	More than 2,000 cc corrected	250-320 bhp / 186-239 kW	Approximately 1,100-1,300 kg; top WRC cars commonly around 1,230 kg	Usually 4WD at international level

A7 included the most powerful two-litre naturally aspirated Kit Cars. A8 contained the familiar turbocharged four-wheel-drive championship contenders because forced-induction equivalence placed their corrected capacity above two litres.

Group N: the production category

Group N was introduced alongside Group A but allowed much less modification.

A Group N car had to derive from a model homologated in Group A. Group A competition options were generally not valid unless the Group N rules or homologation form specifically allowed them.

The body shell, engine block, cylinder head, intake system, gearbox type and suspension concept remained much closer to production specification.

Safety equipment, dampers, springs, brake pads, exhaust components and limited engine-management changes were allowed within the rules.

Group N became one of international rallying’s most important privateer categories. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Subaru Impreza WRXs dominated N4, while smaller front-wheel-drive hatchbacks populated N1, N2 and N3.

The original 1982 rules required the base model to have 5,000 identical examples and to be homologated in Group A.

The main Group N classes

Class	Common capacity band	Representative power	Representative weight	Common drive
N1	Up to 1,400 cc	70-110 bhp / 52-82 kW	Approximately 800-1,000 kg	Usually FWD
N2	More than 1,400 to 1,600 cc	100-170 bhp / 75-127 kW	Approximately 900-1,100 kg	Usually FWD
N3	More than 1,600 to 2,000 cc	140-220 bhp / 104-164 kW	Approximately 1,050-1,250 kg	Usually FWD, with some RWD models
N4	More than 2,000 cc corrected	260-300 bhp / 194-224 kW	Approximately 1,300-1,430 kg depending on model and period	Usually 4WD

The N4 label became almost synonymous with 2.0-litre turbocharged four-wheel-drive Japanese homologation cars, although the class definition was based on corrected capacity rather than a requirement to use one particular engine layout.

Group N vs Group A

Area	Group N	Group A
Underlying model	Derived from a Group A-homologated production car	Production model homologated directly in Group A
Engine freedom	Limited; many production parts retained	Much greater internal development and homologated options
Turbocharger	Generally production or tightly controlled	Competition variants could be homologated
Gearbox	Closer to production architecture	Competition gearsets and sequential systems could be homologated
Suspension	Production mounting points and limited parts freedom	Greater use of homologated competition components
Body and weight	Closer to the road car and normally heavier	More lightening and body options permitted
Cost	Lower	Higher
Typical top 4WD output	260-300 bhp / 194-224 kW	Approximately 300 bhp / 224 kW in the restricted WRC era
Driving character	Heavier, softer and more production-like	Sharper, more adjustable and more specialised

Group N was not simply a low-power version of Group A. It was a different preparation philosophy built around retaining more production components.

Group A vs Group B

Area	Group A	Group B
Initial production requirement	5,000 cars	200 cars
Road-car relationship	High-volume production car with competition development	Low-volume homologation model that could be designed around racing
Top-era power	Approximately 300 bhp / 224 kW	Approximately 350-600 bhp / 261-447 kW
Top-era weight	Commonly around 1,230 kg	Often approximately 890-1,100 kg
Driven wheels	2WD or 4WD; top WRC cars became 4WD	2WD or 4WD; top late-era cars became 4WD
Development freedom	High	Very high
Top WRC period	1987-1996	1982-1986

Group A reduced performance and forced manufacturers to connect the competition vehicle to a much larger production programme. It did not eliminate engineering development.

Group S: the planned Group B successor that never raced

Group S was proposed as a replacement or evolution of Group B for 1987.

The concept would have reduced the number of cars required for homologation and targeted approximately 300 bhp, while allowing manufacturers to develop highly specialised vehicles.

Several manufacturers began prototypes or design studies. Examples associated with the proposed formula include the Lancia ECV, Toyota 222D, Audi Group S concepts and Opel Kadett 4S.

The programme was cancelled before the category entered the World Rally Championship. Group A became the top class instead.

Group S should therefore be described as a proposed formula, not a rally class that completed an official international championship season.

Formula 2 Rally: the two-wheel-drive international category

Formula 2 Rally was primarily a sporting category rather than one independent homologation group.

It gathered high-performance two-wheel-drive cars, usually with naturally aspirated engines of no more than two litres. Group A cars and later Kit Cars formed the core of the field.

Manufacturers supported Formula 2 because it offered a lower-cost alternative to four-wheel-drive Group A machinery. On dry asphalt, the lightest two-litre cars could challenge or occasionally defeat the leading four-wheel-drive entries.

Formula 2 area	Representative specification
Main international era	Approximately 1993-1999
Engine	Naturally aspirated, normally up to 2.0 litres
Representative power	250-300 bhp / 186-224 kW for the leading cars
Weight	Approximately 960-1,100 kg
Driven wheels	Two-wheel drive, usually front-wheel drive
Typical cars	Peugeot 306 Maxi, Citroën Xsara Kit Car, Renault Maxi Mégane and Seat Ibiza Kit Car

Group A Kit Cars

A Kit Car was an extensively developed Group A variant created through homologated competition components.

The cars used two-wheel drive and naturally aspirated engines. Wider tracks, larger wheel arches, competition transmissions, highly developed suspension and lightweight body parts separated them from ordinary Group A cars.

The most famous were the two-litre A7 Kit Cars, but smaller A6 Kit Cars also existed.

Kit Car type	Engine	Representative power	Representative weight	Drive
A6 Kit Car	Up to 1.6 litres, naturally aspirated	200-230 bhp / 149-172 kW	Approximately 920-980 kg	Usually FWD
A7 Kit Car	Up to 2.0 litres, naturally aspirated	270-300 bhp / 201-224 kW	Approximately 960-1,000 kg	Usually FWD

The leading two-litre Kit Cars were exceptionally fast on smooth asphalt because they combined close to Group A turbo power with lower weight and low drivetrain losses.

Super 1600

Super 1600 was introduced as a more controlled junior formula below the two-litre Kit Cars.

The cars used 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engines, two-wheel drive and sequential gearboxes. They became the basis of the Junior World Rally Championship from 2001.

Super 1600 retained the high-revving character of the Kit Car era while controlling cost and performance more tightly.

Super 1600 area	Specification
Main era	2001-2010 at the centre of Junior WRC; continued elsewhere afterward
Engine	1.6-litre naturally aspirated
Representative power	210-230 bhp / 157-172 kW
Minimum weight	Typically approximately 980 kg, with period variations
Driven wheels	Two-wheel drive, normally front-wheel drive
Transmission	Six-speed sequential
Examples	Citroën C2 S1600, Renault Clio S1600, Suzuki Swift S1600, Ford Fiesta S1600

Kit Car vs Super 1600

Area	Two-litre Kit Car	Super 1600
Engine	2.0-litre naturally aspirated	1.6-litre naturally aspirated
Power	270-300 bhp / 201-224 kW	210-230 bhp / 157-172 kW
Weight	Approximately 960-1,000 kg	Approximately 980 kg
Drive	Usually FWD	Usually FWD
Main role	Manufacturer-supported Formula 2 and outright asphalt competition	Junior and driver-development formula
Cost and complexity	Higher	More controlled

World Rally Car: the first generation, 1997-2010

World Rally Car regulations were introduced for 1997.

A manufacturer no longer had to sell a road car containing the complete turbocharged four-wheel-drive system needed for the rally version. A suitable production model could be converted through the homologated World Rally Car package.

This expanded the field beyond manufacturers selling direct Group A-style homologation specials.

The early World Rally Cars retained 2.0-litre turbocharged engines. Air restrictors held output near 300 bhp, but torque, aerodynamics, active differentials and suspension technology developed rapidly.

1997-2010 World Rally Car area	Specification
Engine	2.0-litre turbocharged
Representative power	Approximately 300 bhp / 224 kW
Minimum weight	Approximately 1,230 kg during the mature period
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Turbo restrictor	Typically 34 mm in much of the era
Transmission	Sequential; active differential technology varied by year
Examples	Subaru Impreza WRC, Ford Focus RS WRC, Peugeot 206 WRC, Citroën Xsara WRC

World Rally Car: the 1.6-litre generation, 2011-2016

The WRC moved from 2.0-litre engines to smaller 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engines in 2011.

The cars became shorter and lighter than many of their predecessors. Mechanical regulations simplified some of the active systems used during the earlier era.

2011-2016 World Rally Car area	Specification
Engine	1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged
Representative power	300-320 bhp / 224-239 kW
Minimum weight	1,200 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Turbo restrictor	33 mm
Transmission	Six-speed sequential with controlled four-wheel-drive system
Examples	Citroën DS3 WRC, Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Hyundai i20 WRC

World Rally Car: the 2017-2021 generation

The 2017 regulations produced the fastest and most aerodynamically developed World Rally Cars.

A larger turbo restrictor increased power to approximately 380 bhp. Wider bodies, large rear wings, front aerodynamic devices and a more developed centre differential improved performance further.

2017-2021 World Rally Car area	Specification
Engine	1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged
Representative power	Approximately 380 bhp / 283 kW
Minimum weight	Approximately 1,190 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Turbo restrictor	36 mm
Aerodynamics	Wide body, large rear wing, diffuser and extensive front devices
Examples	Toyota Yaris WRC, Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, Ford Fiesta WRC, Citroën C3 WRC

The official WRC history divides the modern top category into the Group A, original World Rally Car, 2017 World Rally Car and Rally1 periods.

All World Rally Car generations compared

Generation	Engine	Power	Weight	Drive	Main character
1997-2010	2.0 turbo	About 300 bhp / 224 kW	About 1,230 kg	4WD	High torque and increasingly sophisticated differentials
2011-2016	1.6 turbo	300-320 bhp / 224-239 kW	1,200 kg	4WD	Smaller, lighter and mechanically simplified
2017-2021	1.6 turbo	About 380 bhp / 283 kW	About 1,190 kg	4WD	Greater power, width and aerodynamic performance

Super 2000: naturally aspirated four-wheel-drive customer cars

Super 2000 Rally created a four-wheel-drive international category below World Rally Car.

The classic S2000 formula used a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, a six-speed sequential gearbox and mechanical differentials.

The absence of a turbocharger gave the cars a high-revving character. They produced less torque than a World Rally Car but were effective customer machines in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, European Rally Championship, SWRC and national championships.

Super 2000 area	Specification
Main era	Approximately 2006-2013
Engine	2.0-litre naturally aspirated
Representative power	270-285 bhp / 201-213 kW
Minimum weight	1,200 kg in the late official formula; some earlier references use lower period figures
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Six-speed sequential
Differentials	Mechanical
Examples	Peugeot 207 S2000, Škoda Fabia S2000, Ford Fiesta S2000, Fiat Grande Punto S2000

Super 2000 1.6 turbo and Regional Rally Car

When World Rally Cars changed to 1.6-litre turbo engines, the Super 2000 framework was also used for turbocharged regional cars.

A Regional Rally Car, normally shortened to RRC, was closely related to a contemporary 2011-generation World Rally Car but used a smaller restrictor and reduced aerodynamic specification.

An RRC could sometimes be converted between regional and WRC specification through the appropriate homologated kit.

RRC area	Representative specification
Main era	Approximately 2011-2013
Engine	1.6-litre turbocharged
Representative power	275-300 bhp / 205-224 kW
Minimum weight	Approximately 1,200 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Regional restrictor	Typically 30 mm
Examples	Ford Fiesta RRC and Mini John Cooper Works S2000/RRC

RRC was quickly overshadowed by R5, which was created specifically as a customer-racing formula.

The original Group R ladder

Group R began appearing from 2008 as a new production-based rally ladder.

R1 was the entry category. R2 offered faster two-wheel-drive cars. R3 added greater performance and modification freedom. R4 upgraded production four-wheel-drive Group N machinery. R5 was added later as a modern purpose-built four-wheel-drive customer class.

The number did not always indicate a simple linear performance increase. R3 remained two-wheel drive, while old R4 was based on a very different N4 four-wheel-drive concept.

R1A and R1B

R1 cars were lightly modified production hatchbacks intended for entry-level rallying.

They retained much of the standard engine and transmission while adding an FIA safety cage, competition suspension, seats, harnesses and other essential equipment.

Class	Engine capacity	Representative power	Exact late-era minimum weight	Drive
R1A	NA up to 1,390 cc or turbo up to 927 cc	75-110 bhp / 56-82 kW	980 kg	2WD
R1B	NA over 1,390 to 1,600 cc or turbo over 927 to 1,067 cc	100-140 bhp / 75-104 kW	1,030 kg	2WD

R1 was renamed Rally5 under the modern pyramid. The current category is an evolution of the concept rather than a guarantee that every old R1 car automatically matches every new Rally5 requirement.

R2B and R2C

R2 became one of the most successful international two-wheel-drive formulas.

R2 cars offered specialised engines, sequential gearboxes, improved suspension and stronger brakes while remaining accessible to junior and privateer teams.

Class	Engine capacity	Representative power	Exact late-era minimum weight	Drive
R2B	NA over 1,390 to 1,600 cc or turbo over 927 to 1,067 cc	160-210 bhp / 119-157 kW	1,030 kg	2WD, usually FWD
R2C	NA over 1,600 to 2,000 cc or turbo over 1,067 to 1,333 cc	190-230 bhp / 142-172 kW	1,080 kg	2WD, usually FWD

R2 was renamed Rally4. The FIA describes current Rally4 as the highest-performance front-wheel-drive layer of the modern pyramid and identifies R2 as its previous name.

R3C, R3T and R3D

R3 was a higher-performance two-wheel-drive group above R2.

R3C became the most prominent version. It used petrol engines and included cars such as the Renault Clio R3, Citroën DS3 R3 and Toyota GT86 CS-R3.

R3T identified turbocharged petrol variants under earlier versions of the Group R structure. R3D covered diesel cars, although it remained rare and disappeared as diesel performance programmes declined.

Class	Engine concept	Representative power	Representative weight	Drive
R3C	NA 1.6-2.0 litres or equivalent turbo capacity under later rules	220-250 bhp / 164-186 kW	1,080 kg in the late regulations	2WD
R3T	Turbocharged petrol	230-260 bhp / 172-194 kW	Approximately 1,080-1,230 kg depending on model and regulation period	2WD
R3D	Turbocharged diesel	180-230 bhp / 134-172 kW	Model and period dependent	2WD

The final R3C regulations defined two-wheel-drive petrol cars, a 1,080 kg minimum and a capacity band above 1,600 to 2,000 cc naturally aspirated or above 1,067 to 1,333 cc turbocharged.

Old Group R4: the N4 evolution class

Original Group R4 was introduced as a development of Group N4.

The base car had to be a turbocharged petrol Group N model with corrected capacity above two litres and four-wheel drive.

A homologated VR4 extension allowed improved suspension, reduced weight, transmission components and other competition parts beyond the normal Group N rules.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Subaru Imprezas formed the main R4 population.

Old Group R4 area	Representative specification
Main era	Introduced around 2011; later absorbed into legacy eligibility
Base car	Group N4 production car
Engine	Normally 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol
Representative power	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Representative minimum weight	Approximately 1,300 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Main advantage over N4	Lighter and more adjustable with homologated competition parts

The FIA’s final legacy regulations explicitly defined Group R4 as previously Group N-homologated turbo petrol cars with corrected capacity above two litres and four-wheel drive.

Group N4 vs old Group R4

Area	Group N4	Old Group R4
Base vehicle	Production turbocharged four-wheel-drive car	The same type of N4 production base
Engine	Close to production specification	Still production based but with additional VR4 freedoms
Power	260-300 bhp / 194-224 kW	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Weight	Often approximately 1,350-1,430 kg	Approximately 1,300 kg
Suspension	More restricted	Greater homologated adjustment and competition components
Transmission	Closer to production	Improved through VR4 homologation
Cost	Lower	Higher
Performance	Slower and more road-car-like	Sharper and generally faster

R5: the class now called Rally2

R5 was created as the successor to Super 2000 for customer four-wheel-drive rallying.

The formula used a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, five-speed sequential gearbox, mechanical differentials and a cost-controlled construction based on a high-volume production model.

R5 became one of the most successful rally regulations ever created. The cars could compete in WRC2, the European Rally Championship and national championships with essentially the same technical package.

The category was renamed Rally2 as part of the modern FIA pyramid. Current regulations state that VRa2 should be understood as the replacement nomenclature for VR5.

R-GT

R-GT provides a rally category for production grand-touring and sports cars.

Typical examples include the Porsche 911 GT3, Abarth 124 Rally and Alpine A110 R-GT.

R-GT does not have one universal engine, power figure or minimum weight. Each model receives an FIA technical passport and performance conditions controlling areas such as weight, restrictors and permitted equipment.

Most R-GT cars use two-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive is common because the category is built around sports and GT models.

R-GT area	Representative specification
Engine	Model specific; naturally aspirated or turbocharged
Representative power	Approximately 300-500 bhp / 224-373 kW
Representative weight	Approximately 1,200-1,500+ kg depending on the technical passport
Driven wheels	Usually rear-wheel drive
Main use	Specialist GT entries in eligible international and national rallies

The standalone FIA R-GT Cup ended after a limited run, but R-GT remains an FIA-regulated vehicle category.

R4 Kit and Rally2 Kit

R4 Kit is completely different from the older N4-based Group R4.

The R4 Kit concept uses a standard FIA-approved package containing a 1.6-litre turbo engine, four-wheel-drive transmission, suspension and supporting parts.

A regional constructor can install the package into an eligible production body, allowing a locally represented model to compete without a manufacturer developing a complete Rally2 car.

The formula has sometimes been described as Rally2 Kit within the modern pyramid because its performance sits below full Rally2. The technical regulations and historical material continue to use R4 Kit terminology in many places.

R4 Kit area	Representative specification
Engine	1.6-litre turbocharged kit engine
Representative power	263-280 bhp / 196-209 kW
Minimum weight	Approximately 1,230 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Sequential kit transmission
Performance position	Below full Rally2/R5
Purpose	Regional and national manufacturer representation at controlled cost

Super 2000 vs R5/Rally2

Area	Super 2000	R5/Rally2
Engine	2.0-litre naturally aspirated	1.6-litre turbocharged
Power	270-285 bhp / 201-213 kW	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Weight	Approximately 1,200 kg	1,230 kg
Drive	4WD	4WD
Gearbox	Six-speed sequential	Five-speed sequential
Torque	Lower and delivered at high engine speed	Greater turbocharged torque
Customer-racing focus	Important but comparatively expensive	Designed around capped cost and widespread customer supply

R5 was not merely Super 2000 with a turbocharger. Its complete cost, transmission, suspension and customer-support philosophy was revised.

N4 and old R4 vs R5/Rally2

Area	N4	Old R4	R5/Rally2
Base concept	Modified road homologation car	N4 car with VR4 competition upgrade	Purpose-designed customer rally car based on production architecture
Engine	Usually 2.0 turbo	Usually 2.0 turbo	1.6 turbo
Power	260-300 bhp / 194-224 kW	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Weight	Often 1,350-1,430 kg	Approximately 1,300 kg	1,230 kg
Drive	4WD	4WD	4WD
Gearbox	Production-derived	Improved production-derived package	Five-speed sequential competition gearbox
Handling	Heaviest and most road-car-like	Sharper than N4	Lightest and most purpose-developed
Current equivalent	No direct new homologation tier	No direct equivalent	Current Rally2

Peak power alone understates the difference. Rally2’s lower weight, transmission, geometry and suspension give it a much greater overall performance level than a typical N4 car.

The modern FIA Rally Car Pyramid

The modern pyramid simplified the principal customer categories into Rally1 through Rally5.

Rally5 and Rally4 are the two-wheel-drive levels. Rally3 introduced an accessible four-wheel-drive step. Rally2 is the leading customer category. Rally1 is the top World Rally Championship formula.

The FIA began the reorganisation in 2018. R5 became Rally2, R2 became Rally4 and R1 became Rally5. Rally3 was new rather than a renamed version of old R3.

Rally6: the newest low-cost combustion category

Rally6 was approved as a new entry-level FIA group for 2026.

The concept uses four-seat two-wheel-drive production cars with either a standard 1.6-litre turbo engine or a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine.

A competition ECU controls the engine, while the target power-to-weight ratio is 7.5 kg per horsepower.

The FIA’s example is a 1,050 kg car producing 140 bhp.

Rally6 area	Specification
Status	New FIA entry formula approved for 2026
Engine	Standard 1.6 turbo or 2.0 naturally aspirated
Target power-to-weight ratio	7.5 kg per bhp
Example power	140 bhp / 104 kW
Example weight	1,050 kg
Driven wheels	Two-wheel drive
Gearbox	Production H-pattern
Brakes and tyres	Production based
Dampers	Non-adjustable competition units
Safety	Equivalent in principle to Rally5-Kit

Rally6 is intended to reduce purchase and operating costs rather than outperform Rally5.

Rally5-Kit

Rally5-Kit provides national sporting authorities with a route for homologating suitable production cars without requiring a manufacturer to create a full global Rally5 programme.

The kit defines safety-critical and performance-related components such as the roll cage, seat and harness mountings, fuel-system parts, intake restrictor and minimum ground clearance.

The car remains two-wheel drive. Naturally aspirated engines can have capacities up to two litres, while turbocharged engines can have capacities up to 1.62 litres under the detailed eligibility rules.

Rally5-Kit area	Specification
Vehicle concept	Large-series production touring car adapted through an FIA/ASN kit variant
Engine	NA up to 2.0 litres or turbo up to 1.62 litres
Representative power	Approximately 140-180 bhp / 104-134 kW, homologation dependent
Minimum weight	1,030 kg for naturally aspirated cars; turbo weight declared in the homologated variant
Driven wheels	Front- or rear-wheel drive
Gravel wheels	6 x 15 inches
Asphalt wheels	6.5 x 16 inches
Main purpose	Low-cost national and regional entry competition

The 2026 regulations define Rally5-Kit as two-wheel drive and set 1,030 kg for naturally aspirated cars, while the turbocharged minimum is model specific.

Rally5

Rally5 is the base of the established five-tier FIA pyramid and the successor to R1.

The cars are production-based, two-wheel drive and relatively lightly modified compared with Rally4.

They commonly use small turbocharged engines and five-speed sequential gearboxes, although the exact homologated equipment depends on the model.

Rally5 area	Specification
Previous name	R1
Engine capacity	NA up to 1,600 cc or turbo up to 1,333 cc, with weight subdivisions
Representative power	150-180 bhp / 112-134 kW
Minimum weight	1,030 kg for NA or smaller turbo specifications; 1,080 kg for the larger turbo band
Driven wheels	Two-wheel drive, normally front-wheel drive
Typical gearbox	Five-speed sequential
Examples	Renault Clio Rally5, Ford Fiesta Rally5 and Peugeot 208 Rally5

E-Rally5

E-Rally5 is the electric counterpart at the lower end of the FIA rally structure.

The regulations cover large-series production cars with at least four seats, an electric powertrain and two-wheel drive.

Cars are divided by usable battery capacity. E-Rally5-1 covers up to 60 kWh, while E-Rally5-2 covers larger batteries.

Unlike an internal-combustion class defined by one capacity and restrictor, motor output is homologation specific.

E-Rally5 area	Specification
Powertrain	Production-derived electric motor and inverter
Representative power	Model specific; approximately 136 bhp / 100 kW for a typical existing entry-level electric rally car
Battery classes	E-Rally5-1 up to 60 kWh usable; E-Rally5-2 over 60 kWh
E-Rally5-1 minimum weight	1,540 kg without crew and with no more than one spare wheel
E-Rally5-2 minimum weight	To be confirmed in the June 2026 regulation publication
Driven wheels	Front- or rear-wheel drive
Driver aids	Production systems can remain when homologated and can be recalibrated or disconnected

The June 2026 Article 260A defines E-Rally5 as a four-seat two-wheel-drive electric production category and sets the E-Rally5-1 minimum at 1,540 kg.

Rally4

Rally4 is the modern high-performance two-wheel-drive category and the successor to R2.

Current cars normally use small turbocharged engines, five-speed sequential gearboxes and mechanical limited-slip differentials.

The front tyres must steer, brake and transmit engine torque, making momentum and throttle discipline essential.

Rally4 area	Specification
Previous name	R2
Engine	NA or turbocharged within Rally4 capacity subdivisions; modern cars normally use small turbo engines
Representative power	200-215 bhp / 149-160 kW
Minimum weight	1,080 kg without crew and with no more than one spare wheel
Driven wheels	Two-wheel drive, normally front-wheel drive
Transmission	Normally five-speed sequential
Examples	Peugeot 208 Rally4, Opel Corsa Rally4, Renault Clio Rally4 and Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF

The FIA describes Rally4 output as being in the region of 210 hp and identifies R2 as the category’s former name.

Rally3

Rally3 was introduced as a new affordable four-wheel-drive level between Rally4 and Rally2.

It was not a renaming of old R3. Old R3 was two-wheel drive; current Rally3 is four-wheel drive.

Rally3 gives drivers an opportunity to learn four-wheel-drive braking, rotation and acceleration before moving into Rally2.

Rally3 area	Specification
Introduced	First homologation for the 2021 era
Engine	Turbocharged petrol within the Rally3 capacity subdivisions
Representative power	235-260 bhp / 175-194 kW
Minimum weight	1,210 kg for the main B/C/D subdivisions; 1,260 kg for Rally3E
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Five-speed sequential
Examples	Ford Fiesta Rally3 and Renault Clio Rally3

The FIA completed its five-tier pyramid when the first Rally3 car was homologated and explicitly described Rally3 as a new accessible four-wheel-drive platform.

Rally2

Rally2 is the current name for the R5 formula and the highest level intended for widespread customer racing.

The cars use a 1.6-litre turbo engine, five-speed sequential gearbox, four-wheel drive and mechanical front and rear differentials.

They fight for WRC2, European Rally Championship and many national outright titles.

Rally2 area	Specification
Previous name	R5
Engine	Turbocharged petrol, up to 1,620 cc and four cylinders
Representative power	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Turbo restrictor	32 mm
Maximum boost	2.5 bar absolute under the current regulation
Minimum car weight	1,230 kg with no more than one spare wheel
Combined car-and-crew minimum	1,390 kg
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Five-speed sequential
Examples	Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Citroën C3 Rally2, Ford Fiesta Rally2 and Hyundai i20 N Rally2

Current FIA regulations apply to both earlier VR5 homologations and later VRa2 cars, while Toyota’s official category history records the S2000-to-R5-to-Rally2 succession.

Rally1 Hybrid, 2022-2024

Rally1 replaced World Rally Car at the beginning of 2022.

The first version used a 1.6-litre turbo engine and a standard plug-in hybrid unit. The electric motor could add substantial power during approved deployment zones.

The cars used purpose-built safety structures rather than relying on the complete production bodyshell in the same way as Rally2.

2022-2024 Rally1 area	Specification
Engine	1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol
Hybrid system	Standard plug-in motor, battery and control package
Combined power	More than 500 bhp / more than 373 kW when hybrid assistance was deployed
Minimum weight	1,260 kg
Turbo restrictor	36 mm
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Five-speed sequential
Examples	Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid and Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

Non-hybrid Rally1, 2025-2026

Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 representing the current top rally category

A Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.

The plug-in hybrid unit was removed for 2025.

To compensate, minimum weight fell from 1,260 to 1,180 kg. The turbo restrictor decreased from 36 to 35 mm so the power-to-weight ratio remained close to that of the hybrid car.

The cars continue using fully sustainable fuel and the same broad Rally1 architecture.

2025-2026 Rally1 area	Specification
Engine	1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol
Hybrid system	None
Representative power	370-380 bhp / 276-283 kW
Minimum weight	1,180 kg
Turbo restrictor	35 mm
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive
Transmission	Five-speed sequential
Fuel	100% sustainable FIA-compliant racing fuel

The FIA confirmed the removal of hybrid power, the 80 kg weight reduction and the restrictor change for 2025. The non-hybrid structure remained the basis of the 2026 category.

The complete current rally pyramid compared

Class	Representative power	Main minimum weight	Driven wheels	Typical engine	Main role
Rally6	Example 140 bhp / 104 kW	Example 1,050 kg	2WD	1.6 turbo or 2.0 NA production engine	Lowest-cost entry formula
Rally5-Kit	140-180 bhp / 104-134 kW	1,030 kg NA; turbo model specific	2WD	Production NA or turbo petrol	ASN-developed entry car
Rally5	150-180 bhp / 112-134 kW	1,030 or 1,080 kg	2WD	Small NA or turbo petrol	Established entry category
E-Rally5	Model specific; representative 136 bhp / 100 kW	1,540 kg for E-Rally5-1	2WD	Electric	Entry electric category
Rally4	200-215 bhp / 149-160 kW	1,080 kg	2WD	Normally small turbo petrol	Top junior and 2WD category
Rally3	235-260 bhp / 175-194 kW	1,210 or 1,260 kg	4WD	Turbo petrol	Entry four-wheel-drive category
Rally2 Kit	263-280 bhp / 196-209 kW	About 1,230 kg	4WD	Standard 1.6 turbo kit	Regional formula below full Rally2
Rally2	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	1,230 kg	4WD	1.6 turbo petrol	Leading customer category
Rally1	370-380 bhp / 276-283 kW	1,180 kg	4WD	1.6 turbo petrol	Top WRC category
R-GT	300-500 bhp / 224-373 kW	Model specific	Usually RWD	GT-car engine	Specialist sports-car category

Rally1 vs Rally2

Area	Rally1	Rally2
Competitive position	Top WRC class	Leading customer class and WRC2 machinery
Engine	1.6 turbo	1.6 turbo
Power	370-380 bhp / 276-283 kW	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW
Weight	1,180 kg	1,230 kg
Restrictor	35 mm	32 mm
Drive	4WD	4WD
Chassis	Specialised competition safety structure	Production-model shell and Group A foundation with Rally2 variant
Aerodynamics	More developed	More restricted
Cost	Factory-level top-category budget	Price-controlled customer-racing programme
Availability	Limited top-team programmes	Sold to professional and private customer teams worldwide

The major rally name changes

Old name	Later or current name	Was it a direct rename?	Important explanation
R1	Rally5	Broadly yes	Rally5 continues the entry-level two-wheel-drive position.
R2	Rally4	Yes	Modern Rally4 is the high-performance two-wheel-drive category.
R3	No direct modern rename	No	Old R3 was two-wheel drive. Current Rally3 is a newly created four-wheel-drive class.
Old Group R4	No direct modern rename	No	It was an upgraded N4-based 4WD class and is unrelated to modern Rally4.
R5	Rally2	Yes	Current regulations include both VR5 and VRa2 homologations.
World Rally Car	Rally1	Replacement rather than simple rename	Rally1 introduced a new chassis and powertrain framework in 2022.
R4 Kit	Sometimes called Rally2 Kit	Partial terminology change	FIA documents and regional rules can still use R4 Kit.
Group 4	Not Rally4	No	Group 4 was the pre-1982 special-GT category.
N4	Not Rally4	No	N4 was the large-capacity Group N class, commonly using 4WD turbo cars.
Super 2000	Replaced by R5/Rally2	Replacement	The engine and gearbox formula changed substantially.

The three “Rally4” meanings that should never be confused

Name	Era	Power	Weight	Drive	What it actually was
Group 4	Pre-1982	180-350 bhp / 134-261 kW	About 700-1,200 kg	Mostly RWD; some 4WD	Special grand touring category
Old Group R4	2010s	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	About 1,300 kg	4WD	N4 production car upgraded with a VR4 kit
Modern Rally4	2020s	200-215 bhp / 149-160 kW	1,080 kg	2WD	Renamed successor to R2

The shared number does not indicate a technical relationship.

Old R3 vs current Rally3

Area	Old Group R3	Current Rally3
Technical relationship	Original Group R category	New category created for the modern pyramid
Drive	Two-wheel drive	Four-wheel drive
Power	About 220-260 bhp / 164-194 kW	About 235-260 bhp / 175-194 kW
Weight	Approximately 1,080 kg for R3C	1,210-1,260 kg
Primary purpose	Top production-based two-wheel-drive category	Affordable first step into four-wheel drive

The similar power figures conceal completely different traction and handling characteristics.

WRC2, WRC3 and RC classes are not car formulas

WRC2 is a championship contested with eligible Rally2 machinery. It is not the technical name of the car.

WRC3 has been used for different sporting structures over time. Depending on the season, it has involved Rally2 or Rally3-related eligibility. The championship name should not be assumed to describe one permanent technical category.

RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4 and RC5 are sporting classification groups used to arrange eligible cars in rally results.

RC2 can contain more than one technical generation, including Rally2, older R5 and in some regulations legacy S2000 or RRC machinery.

Similarly, RC4 can group current Rally4 cars with eligible older R2 machinery.

Historic rally categories today

Modern FIA historic competition divides cars by age, period and original specification.

Those modern historic categories do not replace the original technical identities. A car homologated as Group 2 remains Group 2, and a Group B car remains Group B.

Appendix K defines how an old vehicle can be prepared, documented and used today. Period Appendix J defines what the vehicle was allowed to be when it originally competed.

A Historic Technical Passport records the accepted specification and helps prevent a car from combining components that never existed together during its original period.

Important national and regional formulas

National sporting authorities have created many formulas to fill gaps in the FIA ladder or support local manufacturers.

The following categories are influential, but their regulations are not universal across world rallying.

Formula	Main region	Representative power	Representative weight	Drive	Basic idea
AP4	Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific	Approximately 280-320 bhp / 209-239 kW	Approximately 1,230 kg	4WD	Regional production-body formula broadly comparable with R5-level concepts
Maxi Rally	Argentina and parts of South America	Approximately 280-320 bhp / 209-239 kW	Approximately 1,230-1,350 kg	2WD or 4WD depending on generation	Locally constructed cars representing production models
Proto or N4 Proto	Several European and regional championships	Approximately 280-330 bhp / 209-246 kW	Approximately 1,230-1,350 kg	4WD	Modern body shell combined with N4, R4 or related mechanical components
NR4 or National R4	ASN specific	Approximately 280-320 bhp / 209-239 kW	ASN specific	Usually 4WD	National continuation or modification of N4/R4 concepts
Group F	Several European countries	Very broad	National class dependent	2WD or 4WD	Modified production cars under national rules
Group H	Several European countries	Very broad	National class dependent	2WD or 4WD	Older or extensively modified cars that no longer fit current FIA homologation
Open or Modified	Worldwide national use	Very broad	National class dependent	2WD or 4WD	Catch-all names whose meaning changes between championships

A car described as “Group F” in Finland cannot automatically be assumed legal in a Group F class elsewhere. The local rulebook is always the controlling document.

Master quick-reference table

Class	Main era	Representative power	Representative or exact weight	Drive	Successor or status
Group 1	1960s-1981	50-200 bhp / 37-149 kW	700-1,400 kg	FWD or RWD	Transferred into the 1982 structure
Group 2	1960s-1981	90-300 bhp / 67-224 kW	700-1,200 kg	FWD or RWD	Transferred toward Group B
Group 3	1960s-1981	70-250 bhp / 52-186 kW	700-1,300 kg	Usually RWD	Transferred toward Group B
Group 4	1960s-1981	180-350 bhp / 134-261 kW	700-1,200 kg	Mostly RWD; some 4WD	Replaced by Group B
Group 5	Several pre-1982 definitions	150-500+ bhp / 112-373+ kW	About 500-850 kg in the late special-production scale	Varied	Peripheral to stage rallying
Group B	1982-1986 WRC	350-600 bhp / 261-447 kW at the top	580-1,300 kg by corrected capacity	RWD or 4WD	Replaced by Group A at WRC level
Group A	1982 onward; top WRC 1987-1996	Up to about 300 bhp / 224 kW at the top	Capacity based; mature top cars around 1,230 kg	2WD or 4WD	Legacy category; top role replaced by WRC
Group N	1982-2010s	70-300 bhp / 52-224 kW	Model and class dependent	2WD or 4WD	Legacy production category
N4	1980s-2010s	260-300 bhp / 194-224 kW	About 1,300-1,430 kg	Usually 4WD	Developed into old R4; later displaced by R5
Group S	Proposed for 1987	Target around 300 bhp / 224 kW	Proposed-formula dependent	2WD or 4WD concepts	Cancelled before competition
Formula 2 Rally	1990s	250-300 bhp / 186-224 kW	About 960-1,100 kg	2WD	Sporting category containing Group A and Kit Cars
A6 Kit Car	1990s-2000s	200-230 bhp / 149-172 kW	About 920-980 kg	Usually FWD	Superseded by newer junior formulas
A7 Kit Car	1990s-2000s	270-300 bhp / 201-224 kW	About 960-1,000 kg	Usually FWD	No direct current equivalent
Super 1600	2001-2010 peak era	210-230 bhp / 157-172 kW	About 980 kg	2WD	Junior role later passed to R2/Rally4
WRC 1997	1997-2010	About 300 bhp / 224 kW	About 1,230 kg	4WD	Replaced by 1.6-litre WRC
WRC 2011	2011-2016	300-320 bhp / 224-239 kW	1,200 kg	4WD	Replaced by 2017 WRC
WRC 2017	2017-2021	About 380 bhp / 283 kW	About 1,190 kg	4WD	Replaced by Rally1
Super 2000	2006-2013	270-285 bhp / 201-213 kW	About 1,200 kg	4WD	Replaced by R5
RRC	2011-2013	275-300 bhp / 205-224 kW	About 1,200 kg	4WD	Short-lived transitional formula
R1A	2008-2019 homologation era	75-110 bhp / 56-82 kW	980 kg	2WD	Rally5 lineage
R1B	2008-2019 homologation era	100-140 bhp / 75-104 kW	1,030 kg	2WD	Rally5 lineage
R2B	2008-2019 homologation era	160-210 bhp / 119-157 kW	1,030 kg	2WD	Renamed Rally4
R2C	2008-2019 homologation era	190-230 bhp / 142-172 kW	1,080 kg	2WD	Renamed Rally4
R3C	2000s-2019 homologation era	220-250 bhp / 164-186 kW	1,080 kg	2WD	No direct rename
R3T	Group R era	230-260 bhp / 172-194 kW	Model and period dependent	2WD	No direct rename
R3D	Group R era	180-230 bhp / 134-172 kW	Model dependent	2WD	Rare diesel category
Old R4	2010s	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	About 1,300 kg	4WD	N4 evolution; no link to Rally4
R5	2013-2019 name	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	1,230 kg	4WD	Renamed Rally2
R4 Kit	2018 onward	263-280 bhp / 196-209 kW	About 1,230 kg	4WD	Also described as Rally2 Kit
R-GT	2010s onward	300-500 bhp / 224-373 kW	Model specific	Usually RWD	Current specialist category
Rally6	2026 onward	Example 140 bhp / 104 kW	Example 1,050 kg	2WD	Newest low-cost entry formula
Rally5-Kit	2024 onward	140-180 bhp / 104-134 kW	1,030 kg NA; turbo model specific	2WD	Current ASN entry formula
Rally5	2020s	150-180 bhp / 112-134 kW	1,030-1,080 kg	2WD	Current entry tier
E-Rally5	2020s	Model specific	1,540 kg for E-Rally5-1	2WD	Current electric tier
Rally4	2020s	200-215 bhp / 149-160 kW	1,080 kg	2WD	Current top 2WD tier
Rally3	2021 onward	235-260 bhp / 175-194 kW	1,210-1,260 kg	4WD	Current entry 4WD tier
Rally2	2020s	280-300 bhp / 209-224 kW	1,230 kg	4WD	Current customer top tier
Rally1 Hybrid	2022-2024	500+ bhp / 373+ kW	1,260 kg	4WD	Replaced by non-hybrid Rally1 specification
Rally1 non-hybrid	2025-2026	370-380 bhp / 276-283 kW	1,180 kg	4WD	Current WRC top class

Rally car classes: the simple explanation

The original FIA structure separated standard and modified touring or GT cars into Groups 1-4.

Group 4 became the leading 1970s rally class before Group B introduced lighter, more specialised and far more powerful machinery in 1982.

Group A required a much larger production base and replaced Group B at the top of the World Rally Championship in 1987.

Group N used many of the same production models but allowed fewer modifications. N4 became the familiar category for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza production-based four-wheel-drive cars.

Formula 2, Kit Car and Super 1600 created important two-wheel-drive categories during the 1990s and 2000s.

World Rally Car replaced Group A as the premier formula in 1997. Its engine changed from 2.0 litres to 1.6 litres in 2011, and the wider 2017 generation increased power to approximately 380 bhp.

Super 2000 provided naturally aspirated four-wheel-drive customer cars before R5 replaced it with a 1.6-litre turbo formula.

Group R created R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5. The old R4 was an upgraded N4 car and should never be confused with current Rally4.

Under the modern naming system, R1 became Rally5, R2 became Rally4 and R5 became Rally2. Rally3 was a new four-wheel-drive category rather than a renamed old R3.

Rally1 replaced World Rally Car in 2022. It used hybrid power through 2024 and became lighter and non-hybrid from 2025.

The complete current ladder now ranges from the low-cost Rally6 and Rally5-Kit concepts through Rally5, Rally4, Rally3, Rally2 and Rally1, with E-Rally5 and R-GT providing alternative technical routes.

No single specification tells the complete story. Rally regulations have always balanced production volume, engine performance, minimum weight, driven wheels, permitted modifications, safety and cost.

	Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
	British Rally Championship
	European Rally Championship
	World Rally Championship