Korean automaker Hyundai has evolved dramatically over the past few years, to the extent that it also announced plans to launch a series of high-performance models under its new N division. Although road-going vehicles wearing the N badge have yet to arrive, Hyundai did launch the division with the 2014 hyundai i20 WRC, which marked the brand’s return to rallying after an 11-year hiatus. Having already completed two full WRC seasons in 2014 and 2015, the i20 WRC has been updated for 2016 and showcased at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Launched alongside the 2015 Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept car, the new i20 WRC has been developed at the company’s facility at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. With the 2016 WRC season set to debut with the Monte Carlo event in January, the Korean brand unveiled the race-ready model at the team’s headquarters in Alzenau.
Hyundai Motorsport will field three cars in every round of the 2016 championship, with Dani Sordo, Hayden Paddon and Thierry Neuville behind the steering wheel. The team will begin its third WRC season with two new i20 WRC cars and one previous model at Rallye Monte Carlo before increasing to three 2016 cars from Rally Sweden.
Hyundai also announced it is already working on a new rally car for the 2017 season. Dubbed R5, it is also based on the second-generation i20 and will be developed with help from Dutch driver Kevin Abbring throughout 2016. Development of the R5 will commence in the first half of the year with homologation to be completed in mid-2016. Privateers will be able to place orders for the new race car in the second half of the year.
Updated 12/10/2015: Hyundai confirmed that it will enter three cars in every round of the 2016 championship. The company also confirmed it is already working on a new rally car for the 2017 season and that it should be completed in mid-2016.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Hyundai i20 WRC.
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