Hayden Paddon has explained why Hyundai New Zealand have initially built their i20 AP4 with a 1.8 litre engine, rather than the 1.6 litre motor the FIA regulations dictate.
The Hyundai WRC star told RallySport Magazine that it is a starting point to develop the car, and that the 1.6 litre engine will be developed as the year progresses.
“We have embarked on this project to help expand and promote this new concept. The name of a car is almost irrelevant, we are being open about what the car is or isn’t,” Paddon said.
“It's absolutely no different to how WRC cars used in national championships around the world are modified (don't comply with FIA regs) but are still referred to as a WRC car, or how M-Sport sell many variations of the R5 car, but they all carry the same R5 badge.
“To start something completely new like this, you have to educate the fans and potential sponsors what it is about, and this is a good starting point. Without this car and project, Hyundai NZ would not be involved - so if these rules and the way we are doing it are helping new manufacturers to be involved at national level then that's already a big step forward.
“To add the expenses of developing an expensive 1600 engine to this project now, the project probably would not have got over the line. This is a starting point," he said.
Listen to Hayden talk about the new Hyundai i20 AP4 below.
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