The Group S Cars (Part 1)

Back when Group B was still around, Group S was planned to be brought in in 1988 to replace the Group. A lot of manufacturers began building prototypes to comply with these new regulations, and even when Group S was abolished along with its older brother, the prototypes remained. Today, we'll take a look at these prototypes and how they were unique from Group B's racers.

0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Toyota 222D
3:11 - Ford RS200S
4:36 - Peugeot 405 T16
6:22 - Skoda 130 LR Evo
7:46 - Audi Sport Quattro RS002
9:37 - Lancia ECV
12:48 - Outro

Any footage I have used in this video will have its uploader credited on screen.
Videos and photos are not mine, all rights go to the original owners.

If you enjoyed the video, drop a like to encourage me to make more! With such a small audience, any form of encouragement, constructive criticism, feedback or suggestions are welcome, I love reading what you guys have to say!

#GroupS #PrototypeCars

[JackohMotors]

You guys all seem to be really positive about me making a part 2 to this video. I'm currently onto the editing phase, so estimate it should be around a week until it is out. Thanks for waiting!

[iSkiLLeTXx]

the moment you remember that even lada wanted to make a +350hp midengined awd hatch for group s

[TamiyaGuy]

Even as a bit of a Group B nut, there was a staggering amount of information I never even knew about Group S in this video - you've clearly done your research on this, and it absolutely shows. Big props for searching around for images & videos as well, and not just using the more easy-to-find videos from the cars' Group B counterparts or their replicas. I never even knew that the 405 was planning to be the 205's successor specifically for its longer wheelbase before being repurposed as a hillclimb car, particularly given Group B's tendency towards shorter wheelbases for manoeuvrability.

I'd be absolutely fascinated in learning more about the smaller/more obscure Group S cars you mentioned at the end. The concept of a dual-engine system in something as tiny as the Ibiza sounds like one of those the bonkers ideas that could only have existed in the 80's.

And to top it all off, you credited your sources when you used videos from other people. Anyone that does that earns immediate respect in my books.

[Shinyodd]

These videos are fantastic! Really high quality stuff, really hope more people begin watching these!

[slaidk]

Just one word:








Perfect

[rucarnuts]

Do a Part 2, if only for the Group S RX-7!

That would have been nuts! The lightweight, rev-happy, compact nature of the rotary engine inside an short AWD sports car chassis would have been insanity!

As it was, the Group B RX-7 was pretty nutty with only 350~ish horsepower from a NA Peripheral Ported 13B.

10K+ RPM, AWD, 600+ HP! Man, if only...

[noahmcgonigle]

We need a full on Group B rally racing. Like, a full simulation. Spectators on the track, dangerous jumps and turns, and malfunctioning parts, like the co-drivers mic being broken. Once you finish the group b sector, you race in group s. I know group b never had an official ending, and group s never started, it would be cool to have a rally game like that

[eugenizer]

I'd like to see part 2 ;-) + your editing got better! Keep it Up!

[maabramsmainbattletank]

The Peugeot 405 t16 remains as a pikes peak hill climb monster that still competes in pikes peak today

[akosadriankasza]

Since i first saw the Lancia ECV i thought it's a scary car. It looks scary and is an absolute beast.

[danwright]

Very interesting and I'd like to see part two! Technically Group S resurfaced in 1997 as WRC regulations.

[pentagrammotorsport]

Great video. You’ve missed the biggest innovation on the ECV though. It ran a triflux cylinder head with a central inlet manifold and exhaust manifolds on either sides so the inlet and exhaust valves were diagonally opposed and there was no “hot side”

This meant some of the experimental maps yielded over 900bhp from a 1.75 litre lampredi twin cam. Absolutely awesome machine!

[JkTheMixer]

A couple of notes for the otherwise brilliant video!

Group S was first meant to be the "prototypes for rallying" with little to no restrictions. This included the 10 car homologation and unrestricted engine size and power. However, after Toivonen's and Cresto's accident everyone knew that Group B was too dangerous to be left alive. After this, the Group S was modified as the successor of the Group B with the 10 car homologation rule kept, but with the permitting of exotic materials and 1, 2l turbos or 2, 4l NAs with around 350 bhp.
This class was pitched against the Group A regulations and I believe Lancia first supported these regulations before seeing the marketing potential of the Group A and switched over. Peugeot supported the Group S rules but left the negotiations early to focus on the 905 and Dakar, and Mazda switched from Group S RX-7 to the 323 4WD Group A. The only real supporter for the Group S was Toyota, which of course joined the Group A in the 90s. When discussing about the new regulations for the 1997 season the Group S was again brought to the table, with bans to some exotic materials. This was however quickly ruled out in favor of the WRC regs.
Basically, when the Lancia and Audi could push over 700 bhp (900 was probably reachable), they were made for the older, pre Corsica 86-Group S rules. If the Group S were to be materialized in 87 or 88 (there was a one year delay proposed which was to be driven with Group A cars), they would have had the before mentioned 1.2s or 2.4s.

[deadredeyes]

Fantastic video! Subbed and hoping for a Part 2.

[lancergt]

1:48 "The TCT faded away and isn't remembered that well"

Unless they've played SEGA Rally that is

[Hopscotchlemonadespritz]

Each of these cars are so brutishly beautiful

[TheSergioTurbo]

One interesting thing about the ECV "replica" is that it isn't exactly a replica - while they had to use a regular S4 chassis as the only ECV chassis is fitted to the ECV 2, the body panels are the original ones and a spare Triflux engine has been fitted to it. The car even has the original experimental Campagnolo carbon fiber wheels, though those are fitted only when the car is on static display and regular racing spec alloys are used when the car does show runs.
All in all, I believe that more of a replica it can be considered more of a "completion" using the closest replacement avaible for parts that simply weren't available.

[TheKurtkapan]

Yes! Just watched Group B video and easily a new subscriber. You did good my man. Youtube algorithm worked good today.


That Skoda is awesome!

[kirkniese]

Thank you so much from the State of Maine. I can't get enough of this technical detail. Well done!

[PrehistoricBeasts]

This was an enjoyment to watch. Thank you.