Hyundai i20 WRC breaks cover at 2012 Paris Motor Show
Hyundai has unveiled its i20 WRC rally car at the Paris Motor Show, confirming its intention to return to the World Rally Championship from 2014.
Hyundai has pulled the covers off its new i20 WRC at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, marking the brand’s most public commitment yet to returning to the World Rally Championship in 2014. The car’s unveiling puts Hyundai back into the rally spotlight after more than a decade away from the series.
The i20 WRC is based on Hyundai’s European-market supermini, but the rally car is a ground-up competition build. It uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine to comply with FIA World Rally Championship regulations. Hyundai has not released detailed performance figures, but the specification is expected to be in line with current WRC requirements, which typically see outputs around 300bhp and four-wheel drive.
Development of the i20 WRC is taking place at Hyundai’s European technical centre in Offenbach, Germany. The car shown in Paris is an early version, with ongoing testing and refinement scheduled before its competitive debut. Hyundai’s decision to base the project in Europe underlines the importance of the region both for motorsport and for the i20 road car’s market.
Hyundai’s WRC return
Hyundai last competed in the World Rally Championship in the early 2000s with the Accent WRC. The new i20 WRC signals a renewed push for international motorsport credibility and brand exposure. The 2014 entry will see Hyundai line up against established teams from Volkswagen, Citroën and Ford, as well as Toyota, which has also announced plans to return to the series with a Yaris-based car.
The Korean manufacturer’s WRC programme is separate from its road car development. There are no immediate plans for a high-performance i20 hot hatch inspired by the rally project, with Hyundai focusing its efforts on motorsport rather than showroom spin-offs for now.
What the i20 WRC means for Hyundai
A return to the WRC gives Hyundai a platform to showcase its engineering and build the i20’s profile in Europe. The move is also expected to boost the company’s image among younger buyers and motorsport fans. The i20 WRC’s development in Germany reflects Hyundai’s ongoing investment in its European operations, both in competition and in the road car market.
- Hyundai i20 WRC: 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, FIA-compliant
- Development led from Offenbach, Germany
- No road-going i20 WRC planned at this stage
Hyundai’s Paris debut for the i20 WRC follows similar moves by rivals preparing for the 2014 WRC season. The next phase for Hyundai will be an intensive test programme ahead of its first competitive outing. For more on the i20 WRC’s development and subsequent testing, seeHyundai I20 Wrc Starts Testing.
