Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show The 2013 Range Rover has only been out a few months, but that hasn’t stopped German tuner Hamann from putting its own touches on the new off-roader. Dubbed “Mystere,” Hamann’s creation just might be the brightest set of wheels at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

 Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai i20 WRC Rally Car Updated for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai plans to make its debut in the World Rally Championship next year with the i20 WRC Rally car. The automaker showed off an “upgraded” i20 WRC for the Geneva Motor Show, giving us a peek at the possible livery the race car will wear for the big race.

For now, the show car is only showcasing updates to the suspension, aerodynamics, body stiffness, and exterior. The blue and matte black color scheme is accented with pops of orange on the grille, headlight housing, and brake calipers. The bodywork also Hyundai i20 WRC rear three quarter 300x187 imagefeatures characters from a native Korean script. Hyundai isn’t ready to share powertrain details, but the production i20, which is slightly smaller than the U.S.-spec Accent, is currently offered with two gas-powered engines including a 1.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 99 hp and 101 lb-ft of torque, with a claimed 0-62 mph time of 11.6 seconds with a manual transmission. We expect the i20 WRC to arrive with at least triple the horsepower by means of turbocharging, which should be plenty for the pint-sized hatchback.

The i20 WRC is a joint collaboration between a team in Korea and the new Hyundai Motorsport GmbH division in Alzenau, Germany. WRC veteran Michel Nandan is managing the German facility and testing is expected to start later this year in a number of undisclosed spots in Europe.

“Our ultimate goal is to be victorious but we know that we have a lot of tough competition ahead of us,” Nandan said. “We will use this year to lay the solid foundations but hope to advance quickly as 2014 approaches.”

The short video below features the i20 WRC sporting pre-refreshed livery and having fun in its natural mud and dust-filled environment.

Source: Hyundai