Hybrid Rally1 cars debuted in the World Rally Championship in 2022. The season introduced the FIA’s new Rally1 technical regulations, replacing the previous World Rally Car regulations at the top level.
Rally1 cars combined the established 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 100-kilowatt electric motor and battery system. The hybrid unit could provide extra power on stages and had to be used in designated electric-only areas, including some service-park and road sections. To control costs, the hybrid hardware and software were standardised across the leading manufacturers.
Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford all began the 2022 season with new Rally1 machines: the GR Yaris Rally1, Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and Ford Puma Rally1. The championship opened with Rallye Monte-Carlo in January 2022, marking the competition debut of the hybrid era.
A common mix-up is treating 2021 testing and car unveilings as the debut. Those happened before competition; the first WRC season contested under the hybrid Rally1 rules was 2022.