Hyundai Motorsport has kicked off the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) by unveiling its brand new car, the new generation i20 WRC, in the presence of more than 150 assembled media and guests at the team's factory in Alzenau, Germany.

 

The formal unveiling marks the opening of an exciting new chapter in the short history of Hyundai Motorsport, building on two successful seasons in the competitive WRC environment, said a statement.

 

In that time, the team has undertaken a steep learning curve to establish itself as a genuine competitor against tough opposition, it said.

 

Jin (James) Kim, vice president and head of operations for Hyundai Motor Company in the Middle East and Africa, said: “Our ongoing involvement with the WRC is a real brand shaper for us. The championship is something which really appeals to our target youth audience therefore we will continue to invest in this sector of our business, and this special edition i20 is testament to this.”

 

Earlier this year, the team committed to a year-long test and development program for a WRC specification of the road-going New Generation i20, with its competitive debut set for Monte-Carlo 2016. 

 

The new generation i20 has already accumulated 8,000km of testing prior to today's launch, and has proven to be quicker than its predecessor, with the team's drivers also praising improved drivability.

 

The new car is the result of the Hyundai Motorsport's evolution since 2013 and although the team is still young, it is far more established in the WRC community. This growth is also reflected in the team's bolder ambitions for the 2016 season, namely to fight at the front in every stage and to mount a heightened Championship assault.

 

Hyundai Motorsport will field three cars in every round of the 2016 Championship, with Dani Sordo, Hayden Paddon and Thierry Neuville all confirmed for a full season of WRC. From Monte-Carlo in January to a new-look season finale in Australia, while also taking in a brand new event in China, the trio of drivers will share the #3, #4 and #20 cars during the season. 

 

The precise car-driver composition will differ from event to event, offering the team full flexibility in its Championship strategy. The team will begin its third season with two New Generation i20 WRCs and one previous model at Rallye Monte-Carlo before increasing to three identical cars from Rally Sweden.

 

The R5 car is based on the new generation i20 which will roll out in the next few weeks, falling under the banner of Hyundai Motorsport's customer racing division. 

 

There will be a development phase during the first half of 2016, homologation of the car in mid-2016, and an opening to orders in the second part of the year for private rally drivers of WRC.

 

Hyundai Motorsport's immediate focus, however, is on the opening rally in Monte-Carlo in January, where the fierce competition for 2016 season will begin in earnest. - TradeArabia News Service