Horsepower for RallyCross

The big brands start their battle for the victory at X Games in their 'laboratories' building engines capable of going from 0 to 100 in two seconds

If the last Monday we analyzed the main characteristics of the motorcycle of Enduro best riders in the history of X Games, today we are going to stop in another discipline, also very young, in which the 'machine' has a big importance. In the RallyCross, where pilots must overcome impossible jumps and curves, the circuit goes through asphalt, dirt and even also for gravel, which makes the car drivers suffer much and be adapted in seconds to infinity situations while struggling to gain the top spot.

The last winner of the discipline of RallyCross at X Games, Sébastien Loeb, had no major problems in adapting the layout prepared in Los Angeles. And that came from the WRC, which has little to do with what he experienced in his debut at X Games. That is why from home car, Citroën, Citroën DS3 wanted to adapt its characteristics of a test like X Games. The result of months of work left the Citroën DS3 'XL'. A traveling companion pulled by 545 horses and got beat the great specialists. As far as the chassis and suspension system is concerned, it is a machine very similar which Sebastién Loeb has been used in the world of rally, but the mechanics are different. And its power of 545 hp and 800 Nm makes your acceleration is very similar to that of a Formula One car, going from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds. In addition, another major difference is that, as it has no passenger or spare wheels, the engineers had to redistribute the weight of the car, hence the water radiator moved to the trunk. And finally, it is also added entries rear cooling fins in order to ge the best performance at the output.

One of those who did not have much luck last year but has shown to be able to be crowned as the king of RallyCross is Travis Pastrana. And how could it be otherwise, a car has lived up to its potential. His Dodge Dart Rally is one of the vehicles lighter and more powerful motor than there are now in competition. We're talking about an engine that goes up to 600 hp coupled with a force four-wheel Sedav. It also has a gear box which drives generation more than 500 lbs of torque. Its four-cylinder, 16-valve turbocharged by the 600 horsepower and a 2.0-liter makes this car able to break records and get from 0 to 100 in 1.9 seconds. A machine designed and built to win but still do not know the sweetness of victory in X Games.

Another major brands is Ford. And is that their ranks have recognized pilots such as Ken Block, Brian Deegan and Tanner Foust. Indeed, the last two were in Chicago a few weeks ago featuring the new Ford Focus ST with competing throughout the season. A car that has 550 horsepower and 590 lb of torque with 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Little else is known of a car from which much is expected but is unaware of many things. Those who have tried it admit that it is a car capable of exerting great force on the track and be at positions headers. But, however, is too strong and sometimes difficult to control.

The Subaru Puma is one of those cars that is always in the fight and that, this time, is driven by a Dave Mirra that gradually is adapting to his new role as a driver. A machine capable of generating 550 horsepower and a torque of 750 lb. Close to 1,100 kilos, Subaru looks with this car be at the forefront of RallyCross and has all her hopes on this season. As has also deposited in Hyundai Veloster, piloted by Rhys Millen. A car with more than 500 horsepower and year after year is consolidated among the best of the competition.

Remember if you want to see how these and other machines adapted to the circuit prepared in the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, the next May 19 you will have the opportunity to see the finals of X Games RallyCross Barcelona.