The Most Successful WRC Cars
A ranked list of the most successful WRC cars by event wins.
Rallying is one of the oldest motorsport forms. It can be traced back to the origins of motorsport, including the world's first known motor race; the 1894 Paris–Rouen Horseless Carriage Competition (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux). The first competition known to use the word "rally", was the 1911 Monaco Rally. Even though rallying started early in the twentieth century, the World Rally Championship was only created in 1973.
In its fifty years of existence, rule changes and advances in technology gave way to several different rally cars. Ranging from the little "Mini Cooper" to the monstrous "Audi Quattro S1". We have compiled the 11 most successful WRC cars ever, ranked by the number of WRC events they've won. It is necessary to note that we are counting the wins of a car model, including all its variations and generations.
11. Citroën DS3 WRC - 26 Wins
The Citroën DS3 WRC was introduced in 2011 as the replacement for the C4 WRC, as part of the WRC rule change in 2011, downsizing from 2-liter to 1.6-liter turbo rally cars. Sebastien Loeb won his last two championships driving the DS3 WRC.
10. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - 26 Wins
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution started racing in the WRC in 1997. Lancer Evolutions were successful in WRC Rallies from 1996 to 1999, mostly in the hands of Finnish driver Tommi Mäkinen, winning the manufacturers' championship in 1998.
9. Ford Escort - 31 Wins
The Ford Escort debuted at the Monte Carlo rally in 1973. Spanning over 40 years of rallying. The Ford Escort has a cult following, and is still rallied today in various historic championships across the world.
8. Citroën Xsara WRC - 32 Wins
The Citroën Xsara WRC was introduced in 2001. It started the French domination of the WRC. Most of its 32 wins came in the hands of Sebastien Loeb, winning the 2003, 2004 and 2005 manufacturers championships.
7. Citroën C4 WRC - 36 Wins
The Citroën C4 WRC continued the domination of the 2-liter era of the world rally car. It won the 2008, 2009 and 2010 manufacturers championships.
6. Toyota Celica - 37 Wins
The first Toyota Celica win on the WRC was the Australia rally in 1989. The Toyota Celica won the constructors' titles in 1993 and 1994.
5. Volkswagen Polo R WRC - 43 Wins
The Polo R WRC was Volkswagen's first-ever top-class rally car in the history of the WRC. The car made its debut in the 2013 season. The Polo WRC dominated its era, winning 43 rallies out of 52. It is the car on this list that has the highest percentage of wins over the rallies it has entered. The Polo WRC won the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 manufacturers titles.
4. Ford Focus RS WRC - 44 Wins
The Ford Focus RS WRC made its debut at the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally. It competed in the World Rally Championship from 1999 to 2010. It won the manufacturers championships in 2006 and 2007.
3. Toyota Yaris WRC - 45 Wins
The Toyota Yaris WRC debuted at the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally. This car marked the return of Toyota to the WRC since 1999. On its second-ever outing, it won the Swedish rally. The Toyota Yaris WRC has since won the 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023 world manufacturers championships.
2. Subaru Impreza - 46 Wins
The Subaru Impreza competed in the WRC from 1993 to 2008. Colin McRae won his only drivers' title in 1995 driving the Group A Impreza. The Subaru Impreza won the 1995, 1996 and 1997 manufacturers championships.
1. Lancia Delta - 50 Wins
The Lancia Delta is WRC's most successful rally car. It started as a Group B rally car in 1985, with an engine that generated a maximum output of 483 HP and weighed only 890 kg. This car was responsible for the end of Group B, when the Lancia Delta S4 burst into flames after crashing in the 1986 Tour De Corse, killing its driver Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto. Later, Lancia reintroduced the Delta as a Group A car in 1987. The Lancia Delta HF won 6 manufacturers championships in a row, from 1987 to 1992.
