Editing Group B (section)

=== 1984–1985 ===
{{Main|1984 World Rally Championship|1985 World Rally Championship}}
[[File:Rétromobile 2017 - Austin Metro 6R4 - 1984 - 002.jpg|thumb|The [[Austin Metro#MG Metro 6R4 rally car|Metro 6R4]] was developed to compete in the [[1986 World Rally Championship season|1986 WRC]].]]
[[File:1984 Porsche 911 Sc Rs (73530371).jpeg|thumb|[[Porsche 911 (classic)|Porsche 911 SC RS]] homologation special for Group B rallying; developed for the [[1984 World Rally Championship season|1984 WRC]].]]
In 1984, Audi beat Lancia for both the manufacturers' title and drivers' titles, the latter of which was won by [[Stig Blomqvist]], but received unexpected new competition midway through the year. [[Peugeot]] had joined with its Group B [[Peugeot 205|205 T16]]. Like the Quattro, the T16 also had [[four-wheel drive]], but was smaller and lighter. At the wheel was 1981 driver's champion [[Ari Vatanen]], with future [[Ferrari]] [[Formula One]] team manager and FIA President [[Jean Todt]] overseeing the operation.

A crash prevented the T16 from winning its first rally, but the writing was on the wall for Audi. Despite massive revisions to the Quattro, including a shorter [[wheelbase]], Peugeot dominated the 1985 season, although not without mishap—Vatanen plunged off the road in [[Rally Argentina|Argentina]] and was seriously injured when his seat mounts broke in the ensuing crash. Fellow Peugeot driver [[Timo Salonen]] won the 1985 driver's title with five wins.

Although the crash was a sign that Group B cars had already become dangerously quick (despite Vatanen himself having a consistent record of crashing out while leading), several new Group B cars debuted in 1985:
* Late in the year, Lancia replaced their outclassed 037 with the [[Lancia Delta S4|Delta S4]], which featured both a turbocharger and a [[supercharger]] for optimum power output.
* [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] returned after several years away with the RS200 and the [[Ford Sierra RS Cosworth|Sierra RS Cosworth]] (though the latter went on to compete in Group A).
* [[Citroën]] developed and entered the [[Citroën BX|BX 4TC]], which had proven too heavy and cumbersome to be successful.
* [[Rover (car)|Rover]] created the distinctive [[Austin Metro#MG Metro 6R4 rally car|Metro 6R4]], which featured boxy bodywork and a large wing on the front of the car.