Developed and published by Codemasters, a company known for its racing series such as Dirt and Grid, Dirt Rally has finally shed its Early Access roots and been released on PC. Dirt Rally brings the Dirt series back to its Colin McRae Rally roots, featuring simulation-level handling on realistic rally stages and courses from around the world. The final product features 39 vehicles and 75+ stages across 10 locations on which to terrorize the locals.
The Cars of Dirt Rally
Dirt Rallys vehicle selection ranges from the humble Mini Cooper of the 1960s all the way up the ferocious Lancia Delta S4 of the legendary Group B rally racing class. Its 39 vehicles are broken down into 11 classes:
- 1960s
- 1970s
- 1980s
- Group B (4WD and RWD)
- Group A
- F2 Kit Car
- R4
- 2000s
- 2010s
- Hillclimb
- Rallycross (RX)
Each class is full of its own unique handling cars and provides a very different experience as you move up the ladder from the low-powered front-wheel drive cars of the 1960s to the high downforce, rear-wheel drive powerhouses of the modern day.
1960s
The 1960s saw a movement towards more and more purpose built rally vehicles. Both of the cars in this class were top of their game during the time they raced, with the Mini Cooper S winning multiple rally championships across Europe and the Lancia Fulvia HF winning almost every Italian championship from 1965 to 1973.
1970s
The 1970s saw a shift from the low-powered front-wheel drive cars of the 60s towards higher powered motors and a rear-wheel drive system. The cars featured in this category are sure to satisfy those of you who love to stabilize the unstable.
Group B
What many see as the pinnacle or rally racing, and motorsport in general, is that of Group B rally. The cars featured in this class are the answer to the age old question Sure you can, but should you? Included in this category are monsters such as the 400+ horsepower Lancia Delta S4 and the wild Lancia 037.
Group A
Developed mainly as a reaction to Group Bs eventual ban, Group A cars feature lower powered, safer cars that may seem inferior to the Group B behemoths but in reality were quicker due to their increased traction and better handling.
1980s
The cars of the 1980s shared many of the same characteristics of the Group A, for many of them also belonged in Group A. This class features production-based models that were built to stand up to the rigors of motorsport and ultimately did very well.
F2 Kit Car
The FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup class cars are a bit of an unknown quantity to many motorsport fans. These cars may appear to be dinky little hatchbacks, but their lightweight chassis and impressive powerplants allowed them to produce very quick times during their career.
2000s
The 2000s class in Dirt Rally features vehicles spanning many years from the World Rally Car class of the World Rally Championship. These cars feature low displacement engines in a lightweight chassis with high downforce and great handling.
R4
Group Ns R4 class brings an iconic rivalry into Dirt Rally. Within this class are the Subaru Impreza STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Both of these models hold high standings in the world of rally racing and their inclusion in Dirt Rally allows everyone to experience what makes these cars so special.
2010s
The 2010s class of rally cars is derived from the earlier S2000 class specifications. These cars are smaller and limited by much stricter regulations enforced by the FIA. Dont let the regulations fool you, though, as even the most talented of drivers will have to bite their tongue when the intense acceleration of the 2010 cars throws you into that tree you didnt even see coming.
Rallycross (RX)
Straying a bit from the original stage-based layout, Dirt Rally also includes a variety of Rallycross cars to compete in the closed course action. These cars are purpose-built (but still based on production models) to be as nimble as possible on the mixed surfaces of rallycross courses.
Hillclimb
The cars of this category are some of the most powerful and lightest cars to ever be created. Their purpose is one of pure speed, being tasked with tackling the mighty hillclimb that is Pikes Peak. Their huge wings keep them planted to the tarmac and dirt as they climb the winding road in the race to the clouds.
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