This is the first photo of the all-new Hyundai i20 in WRC form, taken last month during the car’s first shakedown.
Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show last week in production guise, the second-generation i20 supermini has already started WRC tests in the hands of rally driver Bryan Bouffier, who has tested the car for a first time on a private testing ground in Germany last month.
The objectives for the first test were to check all systems and start collecting valuable data for upcoming development tests. Hyundai says it will continue development of the new car with a series of tests scheduled until the end of 2014 and throughout 2015.
Surprisingly, the upcoming Hyundai i20 WRC is based on the five-door version of the car and not on the three-door i20 Coupe which will debut in the coming months. Still, the upcoming i20 WRC is completely new compared to Hyundai’s current i20 world rally car.
“It’s a totally different car compared to current WRC model; the platform is different, the car is longer, lower and wider and it features a new engine, transmission and other components,” said Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan. “We will introduce it in competition when we are absolutely sure that it is ready to replace the current Hyundai i20 WRC – we’re not in a rush,” he added.
PHOTO
