New all-electric Lancia Delta to contest World RX in 2022
French concern GCK Motorsport is developing an all-electric Lancia Delta Integrale to compete in the new-look World Rallycross Championship next year.
GCK Motorsport will revive the iconic Lancia Delta Integrale by developing an all-electric version to compete in the revamped World Rallycross Championship next year.
Plans to design and construct a new take on the famous Delta Integrale coincide with the confirmation that French squad GCK will return to the championship after sitting out this year to focus on developing the new Delta Evo-e.
The Guerlain Chicherit-owned team had been ever present in the championship since 2017.
In its pomp the Delta Integrale became one of the most famous and successful cars in the World Rally Championship, claiming eight titles between 1988 and 1992 – five manufacturers' titles and three drivers' trophies, split between Juha Kankkunen and Miki Biasion.
The WRX will operate under new regulations next year with all cars set to run under electric power thanks to a four-wheel-drive, twin-motor RX1e kit electric powertrain kit developed by Austrian firm Kreisel Electric.
This will develop 500kW of power equivalent of 680 horsepower.
"I'm super excited for GCK to be returning to the FIA World Rallycross Championship under its new electric banner," said Chicherit.
"The race format lends itself perfectly to delivering one of the most thrilling sporting spectacles with electric cars so far, and we chose the Lancia Delta Integrale because it is a vehicle that made us all dream.
Miki Biasion, Tiziano Siviero, Lancia Delta Integrale
Photo by: Motorsport Images
" It is the rally car par excellence – without doubt the most incredible of its era – and one that remains hugely popular to this day.
"It'll be a busy year for GCK Motorsport, and the whole team is looking forward to taking on this challenge. Motorsport is going through a significant change at the moment, with the impact felt across all industries.
"Playing our part in developing some of this change is what keeps us all motivated every day."
The championship's executive director Anne Dirks added: "As a man with his finger firmly on the pulse, Guerlain understands the way the world is going and that in order to advance, you need to adapt, and his future-thinking approach is complemented by a genuine retro passion – as evidenced by GCK's choice of car for 2022, which is a real masterstroke.
"Having grown up seeing the epic Lancia Delta Integrale conquering rally stages all over the world, I personally cannot wait to witness the Delta Evo-e in action in World Rallycross next season."
Germany's Nurburgring will host the conclusion of the 2021 World Rallycross Championship this weekend.
WRX Portugal: Gronholm claims second victory of 2021
WRX Nurburgring: Kristoffersson victory reduces Hansen's lead
Ford: F1 return wasn’t possible without changes to engine rules
Ford would not have returned to Formula 1 without the major changes to the engine regulations for 2026, according to its motorsport boss.
Mercedes takes BoP hit after rapid Bathurst qualifying
Mercedes teams have been dealt a hefty Balance of Performance blow ahead of tomorrow's Bathurst 12 Hour following Maro Engel's lap record-breaking effort in the Top 10 Shootout.
Lapierre to skip 2023 WEC season as Alpine steps down to LMP2
Nicolas Lapierre is set to be absent from the World Endurance Championship grid for the first time since 2015 this year, following Alpine’s step down to LMP2.
Ford still not satisfied with Supercars Gen3 parity
Ford continues to harbour concerns over the parity between the Mustang and Camaro Gen3 Supercars following the latest round of prototype testing.
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
Petter Solberg has called time on his top-flight career after winning titles in two FIA world championships. Here, the 2003 rally and '14/15 rallycross king recalls his 10 best events - including the moment where all his success began
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
World Rallycross makes its first appearance at Silverstone this year as part of the 'Speedmachine' festival in May. We take a look at how the new rallycross track fared in its debut event
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Volkswagen's abrupt departure from the World Rally Championship it was dominating was one of the winter's biggest shocks. Now 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg's World Rallycross team has VW support. What does that mean for World RX and what remains of Volkswagen Motorsport?
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
Sebastien Loeb started a new journey in his motorsport career last weekend, but he wasn't the only attraction in Portugal. DAVID EVANS examines why the World Rallycross product works so well
The entries are strong, the cars are powerful and it can teach the WRC a thing or two about promotion. But after visiting the Lydden Hill round, DAVID EVANS still has his doubts
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
The sport began at Lydden in the late 1960s and this weekend the new-look World Rallycross Championship will strut its stuff at the Kent venue. HAL RIDGE explains why it will be unmissable
Solberg: why rallycross is my future
PETTER SOLBERG had a rough first season back in rallycross, but that hasn't deterred him from signing up for the first year of its new era in 2014, as he explains in his AUTOSPORT column
Petter Solberg says that there's still lots to learn about running a successful rallycross campaign, but he's really enjoying getting back to his roots
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.