Hyundai commences testing of the new i20 WRC

After gracing audiences at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Hyundai recently commissioned testing of the prototype i20 WRC that is based from the latest generation.

Trials for the WRC car began on a private track in Germany and behind the wheel was French driver Bryan Bouffer who was given the task of shaking down the car and collect valuable data that will help the company further develop the i20 WRC. The series of tests is scheduled to last from the end of 2014 and throughout 2015.

“It’s always an important moment when you take a car to the road for the first time and this one was no exception. We have been working on the development of our future WRC car for some time now and we were finally able to put the first prototype on its wheels last month. The data and experience that we have accumulated during our debut WRC season has contributed to our approach with this new car. 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,” said Michael Nandan, Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal.

Hyundai was coy on releasing details about the car but the company did release an image that shows a camouflaged i20. Nandan added that the car will be longer, lower and wider than the previous generation and will feature a new engine and gearbox.