As you would have seen in these very pages over the past few months, many manufacturers choose the ultra-tough and competitive environment of motorsport to develop and test their products.
And what is more demanding than the World Rally Championship (WRC)? And that is exactly where Hyundai have chosen to play with their i20.
The New Generation i20 WRC will also play a key role in helping to improve the Hyundai brand and product perception worldwide.
The involvement in WRC will help Hyundai Motor Company further improve its engineering capabilities and skills in developing high-performance vehicles in the future, such as the recently mooted N series.
As this country’s leading motorsport publication in terms of coverage, it was only fitting we were part of a very small and select group of media invited to the Hyundai Motorsport factory in Alzenau, Germany to see the New Generation i20 WRC car challenger ahead of the coming WRC season which kicks off this weekend in Monte Carlo.
Hyundai Motorsport GmbH was established on December 19, 2012 and the company embarked on its debut season in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2014 with a bespoke team of skilled staff and a brand new car, the previous generation Hyundai i20 WRC.
The team made a strong impression in its first year, claiming podium results in Mexico and Poland, as well as a memorable one-two in Germany.
In its second season, the team was involved in a closely fought battle for second place in the Manufacturers’ Championship, adding more podiums and stage wins to its tally.
For its third season in WRC, Hyundai Motorsport is entering this brand new car, the New Generation i20 WRC, which will make its rally debut in Monte Carlo now.
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