M-Sport World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and Ott Tänak will face a new challenge next week as the 2015 Ford Fiesta RS WRC makes its asphalt debut at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

The new Ecoboost-powered Fiesta has already proven its pace on gravel and next week will see it let loose on the sealed-surface roads of the German Rhineland.

Both drivers were present at an extensive research and development test in the hills above Sanremo earlier this year.

For many, Rallye Deutschland is considered three rallies in one. The character of the stages differ considerably – from twisting tracks through the Mosel vineyards, to the open roads of Saarland and the perilous 'hinkelstines’ that line the Baumholder military ground.

Both drivers have historically performed well on asphalt.

Welshman Evans won the rally as part of the FIA WRC Academy in 2012 and was locked in an intense battle for the WRC 2 win in 2013 – trading the lead with Robert Kubica before conceding victory by just over 10 seconds.

In 2014 – his first season behind the wheel of a world rally car – he and co-driver Daniel Barritt produced a breakthrough performance. Out-performing a number of their more experienced rivals, the pairing secured a string of top-three stage times throughout the final day, including the sought-after Power Stage victory.

Last year’s impressive final-day performance saw Evans finish just five seconds adrift of the podium.

Evans said: "Rallye Deutschland is one of my favourite events and one that I look forward to year on year. 

"We’ve had a lot of good results there in the past and we’ll be hoping to continue that trend next week."

In the sister M-Sport Fiesta RS WRC, Tänak may not have contested a pure asphalt event with the power and performance of a world rally car since 2012, but his previous performances mean he and co-driver Raigo Mõlder could also be a dark horse for this weekend's podium positions.

The Estonian won the event as part of the S-WRC in 2011. 

Tänak said: “This is one of my favourite Tarmac rallies and we have done well in the past. Each stage is different so it’s a real test of how quickly you can adapt to the changing conditions. You also have to have a strong relationship with your gravel crew and the best up-to-date information from the stages and weather reports.

Malcolm Wilson, team principal, added: “At the start of the year our strategy was to start targeting podiums in the second half of the season and Rallye Deutschland is certainly an event we have set our sights on."

M-Sport will also run the Ford Fiesta R5 of Yurii Protasov and Pavlo Cherepin. The Ukrainians aren’t registered for WRC 2 next weekend, but will be looking to develop their asphalt pace.

The rally starts on Thursday and is due to end next Sunday.