Lancia’s Rally 037: A remarkable triumph over AWD rivals

Celebrating 40 Years Since the Iconic Victory in the World Rally Championship

It has been four decades since the iconic Lancia Rally 037 achieved a remarkable milestone by clinching its fifth World Constructors’ Championship at the 1983 Sanremo Rally. This achievement stands out as the Rally 037, a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) rally car, managed to outperform its all-wheel-drive (AWD) competitors during a time when the technological race in motorsport, especially in rallying, was intensifying.

The Rally 037’s victory over AWD rivals remains unparalleled and a testament to its unique qualities. While AWD became the standard in modern WRC cars, the Rally 037’s success showcased its technological advantages. Despite its RWD configuration, it boasted nearly perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a remarkably lightweight build, tipping the scales at just 2,116 pounds. Its 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine churned out an impressive 255 horsepower.

Lancia’s legacy in WRC includes a total of ten Constructors’ Championship wins, spanning from 1974 to 1992, with the Rally 037 contributing significantly. Today, the brand continues to draw inspiration from its rallying heritage, evident in its latest concept car, the Pu+Ra HPE, which promises to carry forward the tradition of radical and high-performance vehicles reminiscent of the legendary Rally 037.