Hyundai i20 WRC debuts at 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
Hyundai’s new i20 WRC rally car, built by the N performance division and based on the second-generation i20, made its first public appearance ahead of the 2016 WRC season.
Hyundai pulled the covers off its new i20 WRC rally car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, marking the first public appearance of the model that will compete in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship. The car is the first rally product developed by Hyundai’s N performance division and is based on the second-generation i20 supermini.
The i20 WRC shown in Frankfurt previews the final rally specification that will debut at Rally Monte Carlo in January 2016. Hyundai said the car features optimised weight distribution, greater powertrain efficiency and improved aerodynamics compared to its predecessor. The team has already begun a comprehensive testing and development programme to finalise the car ahead of its first competitive outing.
Technical focus and design changes
The new i20 WRC is immediately distinguished by a wider and more aggressive body, a prominent rear wing and a larger roof scoop. The car sits on rally-specific wheels and tyres, with the bodywork tailored for improved airflow and downforce. While Hyundai has not disclosed detailed technical specifications or power figures, the focus has been on refining the car’s chassis and aerodynamics to close the gap to the front-running teams in the WRC.
The N performance division, recently established by Hyundai, is responsible for both the i20 WRC and future high-performance road cars. The rally car’s development is seen as a test bed for technologies that could filter down to production models.
Testing and WRC ambitions
Hyundai’s WRC team has already started intensive testing of the new i20 WRC, with ongoing development planned until the car’s competitive debut. The team aims to build on its progress since returning to the WRC in 2014, targeting improved results in the upcoming season. The 2016 i20 WRC will replace the previous rally car, which was based on the first-generation i20 and marked Hyundai’s re-entry into top-level rallying.
The new i20 WRC joins a line-up of high-profile debuts at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, which also saw new models from rival manufacturers. For more on the event’s major reveals, see 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show: Supercars, SUVs and Electric Concepts Lead the Line-up.
