Hyundai i20 WRC
Hyundai's return to WRC after a decade with the i20.
The Hyundai i20 WRC is a World Rally Car from Hyundai, competing in the World Rally Championship starting in 2014. It is derived from the Hyundai i20 subcompact model and debuted at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. This car marked Hyundai’s return to the WRC after a decade away. Its first rally was the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo.
Hyundai Motorsport, based in Frankfurt, Germany, prepared the cars. Thierry Neuville drove the lead car, with Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo in the second and third entries. A third i20 appeared at Rally Portugal for Sordo. For the second half of 2014, 2011 Production Car World Rally Champion Hayden Paddon drove the third car in seven events. Bryan Bouffier handled additional development.
In 2015, Hyundai kept Neuville, Sordo, and Paddon. Dutch driver Kevin Abbring became the main test driver for the updated i20 WRC.
For 2016, Hyundai re-homologated the i20 using the five-door version. Neuville won in Italy and achieved seven podiums, finishing second overall to Volkswagen’s Sébastien Ogier. Paddon won on his debut in Argentina.
For the new 2017 regulations, the car was replaced by the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- Hyundai i20 WRC
- Category
- World Rally Car
- Constructor
- Hyundai
- Predecessor
- Hyundai Accent WRC (Hyundai Castrol WRT)
- Successor
- Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
- Designer
- Bertrand Vallat
- Wrc
- yes
- Team
- DEU Hyundai Shell World Rally Team / DEU Hyundai Motorsport N
- Drivers
- AUS Chris Atkinson / FRA Bryan Bouffier / FIN Juho Hänninen / BEL Thierry Neuville / NZL Hayden Paddon / ESP Dani Sordo / NED Kevin Abbring
- Engine Name
- Hyundai T-GDI
- Capacity
- 1591 cc
- Configuration
- I4
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Hyundai i20 WRC was prepared by Hyundai's performance division, Hyundai Motorsport, from a base in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2014, the cars were driven by Thierry Neuville, with Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo in the 2nd and 3rd cars. A third i20 was entered in the Rally of Portugal for Sordo. In 2014, 2011 Production Car World Rally Champion Hayden Paddon drove the third car in seven events during the second half of the season. Additional development work was carried out by Bryan Bouffier.
For 2015, Hyundai retained Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon. Dutchman Kevin Abbring was the main test driver for the new Hyundai i20 WRC. For 2016, Hyundai re-homologated the i20 to compete with the five-door version of the model. Neuville won at Italy and scored seven podiums, finishing runner-up behind Volkswagen driver Sébastien Ogier. Paddon also won in his debut in Argentina. For the new regulation set in 2017 the car was replaced with the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.
Reader's Guide
The Hyundai i20 WRC marked Hyundai's return to the World Rally Championship after a ten-year absence, with the car unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and making its competitive debut at the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo. Prepared by Hyundai Motorsport from Frankfurt, Germany, the car was driven by a lineup including Thierry Neuville, Hayden Paddon, and Dani Sordo. In 2016, the i20 was re-homologated with a five-door version, and Neuville achieved a win in Italy and seven podiums, finishing runner-up in the championship. Paddon also secured a win on his debut in Argentina. The car was succeeded by the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for the 2017 regulation set. Its significance lies in re-establishing Hyundai as a competitive force in the WRC after a long hiatus, with multiple podium finishes and rally wins across several seasons.
Did You Know?
- The Hyundai i20 WRC was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
- Its first competitive appearance was at the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo.
- Hayden Paddon won on his debut in Argentina in 2016.
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