2012 Paris Motor Show: Hyundai to debut rally version of i20

Hyundai will debut a rally version of its popular hatchback the i20 at the Paris Motor Show with intentions of participating in WRC in coming years. It is good news for the sport, which has seen drop in manufacturer entries in the past few years.

Hyundai had previously participated in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with an Accent but withdrew nine years ago after being unable to achieve the level of success it expected. However, despite the withdrawal, the Korean automaker began to formulate plans to setup an in-house rally outfit to participate in the WRC, the fruit of which is the rally ready i20. Hyundai has not revealed any details of the car, but rally rules state that all participating vehicles must have a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, sequential gearbox, four-wheel drive and special aerodynamic enhancements.

Speaking on the development, Mark Hall, marketing director of Hyundai Motors Europe, said “The WRC offers the most technologically diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer. Our participation will demonstrate Hyundai’s engineering excellence and durability, and will also help to enhance our passenger vehicles in future.”