Re: Hardcore damage

The lack of cosmetic damage is probably due to ‘certain manufacturers’ (ie Toyota) who make it part of the licensing agreement because they don’t like their cars to be damaged, even in a virtual environment. The cosmetic damage model in DiRT Rally 2 was much better and it seems more than just a coincidence that the inclusion of certain new manufacturers has led to this. Other games have had this same impact, for example, Forza Motorsport showcased a dramatic damage model in the initial announcement trailer, yet the released game has little more than a few scratches that appear on your car. 

As for the mechanical damage, it would basically be a redundant feature if your engine and gearbox were to last all season when a rally lasts just 9 stages.