Crowned RallyX Open 2WD champion in 2022, Viktor Johansson and his hybrid Mercedes E90 have spent the past two seasons in the shadow of Simon Tiger and his dominant BMW M3. But that hasn’t dampened Johansson’s determination as he prepares to return to action at Montalegre this weekend with serious ambitions.
Despite collecting three wins and eleven podiums between 2023 and 2024, Johansson has twice finished runner-up in the overall standings—an outcome he’s determined to change in the coming weeks.
“I feel like I haven’t really given myself a proper shot at the title over the last two seasons,” Johansson admits.
“Since 2022, we haven’t run the same car two years in a row. In 2022, with the hybrid system, things went pretty well. But in 2023, we ran into engine issues, not to mention the problems we had with the new anti-roll bar system.”
“It felt like starting from scratch every time. We had to rework everything—redefine the setup, find the right balance. And then we ended the 2023 season at Höljes with an engine failure during free practice. At that point, there wasn’t much to hope for, even though overall, the season hadn’t been that bad.”
“In 2024 I didn’t get the engine parts in time for the start of the championship. I had no choice but to buy a new engine. Once again I had to get used to a different package and a different feel to what I was used to.”
“Compared to Simon Tiger, who’s been running the same car for years, they’ve had time to develop it into a highly competitive machine. I think I was nearly quick enough to match him, but to win a championship, you need everything—speed, reliability, and a bit of luck too.”
This year, Johansson is heading into the 2025 season with a completely different mindset.
“I’m feeling pretty optimistic for this season because, for once, I’ve finally got a complete package. And most importantly, we haven’t made any major changes to the car over the winter.”
In a field of increasingly competitive Open 2WD entries, consistency will be key.
“With the current level in Open 2WD, a lot of cars are capable of winning a single race. But consistency is what makes the difference. That’s what Tiger nailed last year—no question about it. He won almost everything, and that’s exactly what I hope to achieve this season.”
Behind the scenes, Johansson has worked meticulously to fine-tune every detail that could give him an edge over the course of the season.
“The overall concept remains the same, but this year I’m using a different electric motor. Last season, I had some weaknesses, especially with the drivetrain. Most importantly, I’ve moved the electric motor to a more optimal location in the car, and I’ve strengthened the connection between the motor and the rear axle to improve reliability. The new motor is also slightly more powerful, of course.”
In addition to the electric engine, the electronic management system has also undergone a significant upgrade.
“I’m hoping the real improvement this year will be in the reliability between the motor and the rear axle. I also have a new electric motor control system. The old one was pretty basic. This one is much more advanced, with more tuning options and better power management. I’m counting on that to help me close the gap to Tiger and the rest.”
However, Johansson knows that speed alone won’t be enough. One of his main priorities is to improve his performances on the launch.
“On track, I’ve always had the speed. What I lacked was at the start line. I had a lot of torque—over 500 Nm going only to the rear wheels. The result was a lot of wheelspin and poor launches. This season, I’m aiming for more consistent starts, with the ability to adapt power delivery based on grip.”
“Everyone knows how critical the start is in rallycross. If I want to win more races and fight for the title, that’s definitely where I need to improve.”