Hyundai Motorsport starts testing WRC car based on the Elite i20

Hyundai Motorsport has started testing the prototype of its next WRC car that is based on the new gen i20, which we know as the Elite i20. The car got its first shakedown by French driver Bryan Bouffier on a private testing ground in Germany last month, to check all systems and collect valuable data for upcoming development tests. Hyundai will continue development of the car with a series of tests scheduled until the end of 2014 and throughout 2015.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: “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.”

He also said, “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. 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. Of course we are just at the beginning of a long process and we will continue to work hard on development and continue testing in the next months and throughout 2015.”

Source : CarDekho