Hyundai plans to make a comeback after a long time to the World Rally Championship with i20. The car has already made its debut in Paris Motor Show.
“The World Rally Championship is recognized as one of the most dramatic sporting series on Earth”, said Hyundai Motor Europe marketing director Mark Hall. “It’s a spectacle filled with excitement and dynamism − the perfect embodiment of the Hyundai brand.”
The WRC also offers the most technologically-diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer. Our participation will demonstrate Hyundai’s engineering excellence and durability, and will also help to enhance our passenger vehicles in future.”
About the car-
The new i20, has some similarities with the Elantra GT, this car is a three-door subcompact. The car is well designed to give a tough competition to its competitors. It is designed by excellent engineer teams to sustain in adverse weather also and provide a classy and great performance in the WRC.
Specific information about the engine and other details haven’t come out yet, but according to various sources, it is believed that this i20 will be powered by a turbocharged gasoline engine that pumps out 200 bhp (149 kW) which would be linked to four whell drive system via a fully sequential gearbox.
The Hyundai i20 WRC that was showcased at Hyundai’s stand in Paris wias believed to be shown in a conceptual form only, as it wasn’t supposed to have an interior. It is certain from all the info that the Korean automaker are waiting for their return to WRC .
Explaining their return, a Hyundai statement read: “Following its withdrawal from motorsport in 2003, Hyundai’s long-term goal was to set up an in-house WRC team in Europe and develop a performance rally car, resulting in the WRC i20’s debut in Paris.”
The i20 rally car is being developed at Hyundai’s European headquarters at Offenbach, Germany and should be ready to race with other newcomers like the Volkswagen Polo R, as well as established racers like the Citroen DS3 and Ford Fiesta.
Pricing details-
Details about the Pricing hasn’t been announced officially. Lets hope that the car will make a grand come back. Stay tuned for more updates.
