INSIDE: Hyundai Motorsport’s Germany rally base

23rd November 2018, 8:30am
by

2019 is the sixth year in a row that the Hyundai World Rally Team has been a part of the World Rally Championship. In that time the team, based out of Alzenau in Germany, has yet to win the WRC title for either Drivers or Manufacturers, and if we're being honest, in many ways the team could be seen as under achieving this year. Heading into 2018, Hyundai were the red-hot favourites for both titles. After a strong 2017, it appeared as though the i20 WRC was the car to beat, while lead driver, Thierry Neuville, looked the man to catch for the Drivers' title. For much of the season that proved to be the case, but for a number of reasons it wasn't to be.

The high-tech Hyundai Motorsport factory in Alzenau, Germany.

Neuville coughed up a big lead and lost the title to Sebastien Ogier, while Toyota was the star performer by regularly having three cars all in the running for Manufacturers' points. Putting that aside though, we thought it was a good time to have a close look at the inside of Hyundai Motorsport where the cars are built, and why Hyundai remains a strong chance to break their WRC duck in 2019.

Hyundai have been a leading player in the WRC since 2014.

HYUNDAI i20 COUPE WRC UNCOVERED

Engine: Hyundai Motorsport turbocharged engine with direct injection 1,600cc and fitted with a mandatory 36mm air restrictor Power: 380hp at 6,500RPM with a maximum torque of 450NM at 5,500RPM Transmission: Six-speed sequential gearbox, four-wheel drive, mechanical front and rear differentials, electro-hydraulic centre differential Suspension: MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers front and rear Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion Brakes: Ventilated Brembo disc brakes (370mm on asphalt, 300mm on gravel) and air-cooled, four-piston calipers, hydraulic handbrake Tyres: Team partner Michelin will supply the LTX Force H4 hard compound tyre as its first choice for Rally Australia and the LTX Force M6 medium compound tyre as the alternative choice. The H4 is for warm and dry conditions, the M6 if it’s damp or if temperatures drop. Teams can use a maximum of 28 tyres during the rally, not including those used for shakedown Electronics: Magneti Marelli SRG Engine Control Unit and dash Safety: Sabelt seats and multiple fixing points with adjustable straps Chassis: Steel bodyshell with welded multi-point roll cage, steel and composite fibre bodywork components Dimensions: length: 4,100mm, width: 1,875mm, track width: 1,665mm, wheel base: 2,570mm Weight: 1,190kg (1,350kg with driver and co-driver on board) Lubricants: Shell Helix-Ultra Fuel: FIA approved