The FIA has announced major revisions to the technical regulations for the all-new 2011 World Rally Car, with the World Motor Sport Council stating that turbocharged 1600cc engines will be used instead of two-liter naturally aspirated rules that had been agreed in March. The reversal had been expected as manufacturers pointed to the environmentally driven trend for turbocharging smaller engines.
Beyond the engines the new World Rally Cars will run to Super 2000 regulations for the transmission and electronics. They will also run more aerodynamics.
Among the other decisions to come from Paris is the increased flexibility on offer to event organizers, with WRC rounds now permitted to run over two, three or four days, but they must finish on a Saturday or Sunday. It was also pointed out that the freedom to run a mixture of gravel and asphalt surfaces within a stage, a loop of stages, a day or an event remained.
The WRC Cup for Super 2000 cars will, as expected, be introduced next season. Teams must register and contest seven nominated rounds, at least one outside of Europe. Next year's calendar was also ratified.