Driving his Kristoffersson Motorsport Volkswagen RX1e, the Swede set an unmatched 46.768secs to beat team-mate Ole Christian Veiby (NOR) into second by 0.508sec.

The Swedish Hansen brothers, Timmy and Kevin, were third and fourth quickest respectively in a pair of Hansen World RX Team Peugeot 208 RX1es.

Gustav Bergström (SWE) matched Kristoffersson’s time in the first sector, but ended up fifth quickest in his Volkswagen RX1e, while Sébastian Loeb (FRA) was sixth fastest in his first competitive appearance in the Special One Racing Lancia Delta Evo RX1e.

Klara Andersson (SWE) was seventh quickest in her CE Dealer Team PWR RX1e, Guerlain Chicherit (FRA) eighth in the second Special One Racing Lancia and Niclas Grönholm (FIN) ninth after making a mistake in the final sector in his PWR RX1e.

On his return to World RX, Timo Scheider (DEU) rounded off the top 10 in his All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport SEAT Ibiza RX1e.

World RX, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 heats continue over the weekend, with the semi-finals and finals taking place on Sunday afternoon.

All the action over the race weekend is broadcast live on RX+.