Next-gen Hyundai i20 WRC begins tests

Hyundai Motorsports has rolled out the first prototype of its next World Rally Championship (WRC) car, which is based on the recently-launched new-generation i20. French driver Bryan Bouffier started testing the car on private testing ground in Germany last month, with the aim of checking all the systems and collecting valuable data for the upcoming development tests.

Hyundai's third-generation B-segment vehicle is a completely new car compared to the current model. The WRC car incorporates all the learning and valuable feedback that the team has collected during in the first season in the World Rally Championship.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan has said: “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. We will introduce it in competition when we are absolutely sure that it is ready to replace the current Hyundai i20 WRC."

Nandan confirmed that the car is completely different - the platform is different, the car is longer, lower and wider, and it features a new engine, transmission and other components.

Hyundai Motorsports will continue testing the prototype throughout 2015.