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Hyundai pushes on with development of delayed i20 WRC

It's a pretty big deal when a major automaker joins a top-flight racing series, and so it was when Hyundai entered the World Rally Championship with the i20 WRC last year. And while delays have postponed the arrival of its replacement, development presses on. For those unfamiliar, the i20 is Hyundai's rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta for Asian, European and other overseas markets. The Korean automaker introduced a new version of the i20 late last year, including a new three-door version that was supposed to serve as the basis for the new rally machine, but production delays meant Hyundai couldn't homologate the rally version before the end of this season as originally planned. So instead it will base the new competition machine on the five-door version and aim to launch it in time for the start of next season. "We had hoped to introduce the car later this season but unfortunately an issue with the homologation schedule - related to production of the three-door road version – will delay our programme," said Hyundai Motorsport chief Michel Nandan. "We have therefore opted to continue focus on the five-door version of the New Generation i20 WRC which will compete at Rallye Monte-Carlo next year." In the meantime, as you can see from the photos above, development continues apace. Test driver Kevin Abbring and his co-pilot Sebastian Marshall are being charged with its shakedown, along with Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul – the same duo that won the 2014 Rally Germany and which are currently ranked third in the 2015 World Rally Championship after placing second at round two in Sweden. They'll have to make do with the current car for the rest of the season, which continues with the fourth round later this month in Argentina. Hyundai Motorsport Continues New Generation i20 WRC Development - Hyundai Motorsport has recently carried out a four-day test in Spain with an upgraded version of the New Generation i20 WRC - Hyundai Motorsport confirms it will ramp up development of a five-door version of the New Generation i20 car in preparation for a full season of 2016 FIA World Rally Championship - The current Hyundai i20 WRC will run throughout the rest of the 2015 season April 10, 2015 – The Hyundai Motorsport team has recently completed a four-day test of the New Generation i20 WRC car in the Spanish region of Almeria.

Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC previews next year's rally weapon

With just three events left in the 2015 World Rally Championship season, Hyundai Motorsport is sitting in second place in the teams' championship behind Volkswagen Motorsport. The South Korean company is already looking forward to next season, though, when it debuts a new WRC car based on the latest i20. Those attending the Frankfurt Motor Show are getting a preview of the future rally machine in a pristine racing livery ahead of hitting the dirt. Dubbed the New Generation i20 WRC, the car replaces the current i20-based rally car. The competition-spec body sports some big, boxed fenders at the front and rear, and the double-decker wing looks great at the back. Hyundai claims that the latest version also has better aerodynamics, a more efficient powertrain, and improved weight distribution. It's still undergoing rigorous testing and debuts at the Rally Monte Carlo next year. The racer was originally supposed to be based on the latest three-door i20, but a delay caused the five-door body to become the basis for the machine. Beyond the aggressive shape, some of the most obvious visual touches on the New Generation i20 WRC are the massive N logo in the grille and smaller badges on the fenders and wheels. These are supposed to denote the rally car's connection to Hyundai's freshly launched performance sub-brand. The company claims that the lightweight materials, engine tech, tight handling, and aero bits developed for its racers could find their way to the road through these upcoming vehicles. Hyundai Motor Reveals Passion for High Performance with N Sub-brand at Frankfurt Motor Show • Hyundai Motor's high performance sub-brand N takes center stage at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show • A preview of the New Generation i20 WRC car is presented alongside N performance concepts • A vision of high performance technology in Hyundai vehicles is shown with two dynamic concepts – RM15 and Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo • Hyundai N Bobsleigh 2016, developed for the Korean national bobsleigh team, is displayed at the Motor Show September 15, 2015 - Hyundai Motor, the fastest growing automaker by brand value, showcases its high performance sub-brand N at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Built on the foundation of the company's intensive product development and motorsport experiences, Hyundai N ultimately aims to bring 'the most thrilling winding road fun' to customers who truly love cars.

First peek inside Hyundai's hybrid Prius fighter

There are two new vehicle rumors that the auto industry can't seem to get enough of these days: "Tesla fighters" and "Prius fighters." The former category is filled up by Porsche and Audi and more. In the ranks of those who want to take on the world's best-selling hybrid, we can add Hyundai, but this time with a potential twist. First, let's take a look at the latest spy shots of the potentially 2017 model year gas-electric hybrid, including our first look inside. This car will be based on the next-generation Elantra that is also supposed to arrive in 2017. Rumor has it that a medium-sized lithium-polymer battery pack could offer 38 electric miles before the 1.6-liter engine takes over. The new hybrid will likely have a new name and could appear at an auto show at some point in 2016. We've seen other versions of this Prius fighter disguised in different camo. If you'd like to compare the vehicles, you can do so here and here (the latter shows modified Elantra GTs). Now, what about that twist? Well, alongside the standard gas-electric vehicle, it appears that Hyundai might also be working on an all-electric version of its "Prius fighter." Wearing the "AE" moniker, the all-electric version isn't guaranteed to arrive when the gas-electric car does, and may show up later, according to Green Car Reports. This all fits with Hyundai's promise, in 2014, to introduce a new all-electric car for the US market. We won't be surprised if it has wireless charging, too.