The creators of V-Rally have named their top rally cars to mark the 20th anniversary of the iconic console game.
Twenty years ago, just as the first-ever Harry Potter novel was published and Steve Jobs returned to Apple Computers, the world was also introduced to V-Rally – a Playstation video game that would change the landscape of racing games.
Developed by Eden Games (or Eden Studios as it was known back then) and published in June 1997 by Infogrames, V-Rally quickly became a flagship title selling over seven million units and grossing $200m.
Unlike other popular rally games of its time, V-Rally offered players the unique opportunity to race directly against each other in split-screen mode as opposed to racing against the clock. The game boasted ten different race locations and eleven official World Rally Championship cars, including four from the WRC class and seven Formula 2 Kit Cars.
To mark the milestone anniversary, the team at Eden Games has come up with a list of its favourite rally cars featured in the three iterations of the V-Rally game:
Alpine A110
One of the most successful rally cars in history, the Alpine A110 can boast winning the first-ever World Rally Championship for manufacturers.
Citroën Saxo
Rallying legend Sébastien Loeb won his first World Championship in a Saxo (Junior title in 2001).
Escort WRC
Spanish rallying legend Carlos Sainz achieved 3 WRC victories during his time with the car in 1996 and 1997.
Fiat 131 Abarth
The 131 Abarth helped Fiat win the coveted Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship crown three times.
Toyota Corolla WRC
The Toyota Corolla WRC was the first ‘World Rally Car’ to feature a transverse-mounted engine.
Citroën Xsara Kit car
Absolute domination comes to mind with the mention of this car. During two French rallying seasons between 1998 and 1999 the car notched up (with driver Philippe Bugalski) 15 wins out of a possible 20.
Peugeot 306 Maxi Car
The 306 Maxi debuted in the Rallye Alsace-Vogues in 1995. Legend has it that it was so wide that a stage had to be shortened because the 306 Maxi was wider than a bridge near the stage finish!
Renault Megane Kit car
The Megane Maxi featured a seven-speed gearbox and won the Tour de Corse outright in 1996.
Subaru Impreza WRC
Together with the Delta, the Impreza shares the highest number of wins in World Rally Championship history – that’s 46.
Audi Quattro B2
Not many cars can claim to have changed the design discourse within rallying circles but the Audi Quattro B2 is one of them. It became the first rally car ever in the WRC to have a permanent four-wheel-drive.
V-Rally may be 20 years old but the team at Eden Games has not forgotten its rallying roots and this year launched a new rally mode in its latest racing game, Gear.Club.