FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup

History

The series began in 1993 as the FIA Cup for Manufacturers of Touring Cars (2-Litre), following Group A rules for front-wheel-drive vehicles with a maximum engine capacity of 2 litres and a single driven axle. General Motors Europe were the most successful team that year, with Skoda finishing runner-up; rally victories were spread across several manufacturers, with GME taking seven wins while Renault, Skoda, and Lada each won a single event. In January 1995, the rules changed with the introduction of Kit Cars, which were modified F2 vehicles permitting more modifications than standard F2/Group A rules; a heavily modified Kit Car could have a 30 bhp power advantage and be up to three seconds per mile faster. Ford debuted the Ford Escort RS2000 Kit Car at that year's Network Q RAC Rally, and with the series renamed the FIA 2-Litre World Cup for Manufacturers, Skoda took the title with the Favorit model despite it being only a 1300 cc car; event wins were spread more evenly, with Skoda, GME, and Renault each winning two events, while Ford and Nissan won one each. In 1996, SEAT won the title by nine points ahead of Renault, which debuted the Renault Megane Maxi; Suzuki built a Baleno Kit Car entered at the 1996 Rally Australia without success, and Ford released an updated Escort Maxi Kit Car.