Hyundai returns to rallying

[whosyo]

Hey guys, I think Hyundai is now officially back in business

source : WRC Einstieg 2013: Hyundai kehrt in den Rallye-Sport zurück - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT (http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/rallye/wrc-einstieg-2013-hyundai-kehrt-in-den-rallye-sport-zurueck-4983285.html)


here is the google translation

2013 WRC entry Hyundai returns to rallying

The Korean car maker Hyundai will return to rallying and as early as next year to fight for the World Rally Championship. The experienced auto motor und sport from business circles. Accordingly, Hyundai will start with a racing version of the small car i20 and thus follows the example of VW. The Wolfsburg also return back to the 2013 WRC series and start with a polo.

Hyundai i20 rally prototype already finished Known motorsport suppliers confirmed that Hyundai has ordered appropriate components for the motor sport. For Hyundai Auto Motor und Sport learned circles that a prototype of the racing version of the i20 is already largely completed. Located to the rally activities of the group at its European headquarters in Offenbach. As early as 2000 to 2003 Hyundai took part in the World Rally Championship, but with only moderate success. In addition, the company participation was finally too expensive, so the automaker withdrew from the race series. Now Hyundai sees the other hand, the opportunity to position its i20 just revised to more strongly against the Polo

[driveace]

It's needed that another manufacturer joins the WRC!hope it turns out better than when David Whitehead and his company MSD!prepared the cars last time round !

[Plan9]

I will be glad to welcome back Hyundai but I think the i20 will leave the same impression the Accent did with rally fans. Its not the most attractive car in the line-up.

[Fly_Half]

This was posted in the News & Rumours thread a week ago. I'll wait for an official announcement from Hyundai before I believe it.

[darkstar]

i think it´s a nice looking car and hyundai now is a much better car manufacturer then it was when they were doing wrc with the accent. i think they could do very good.

[skarderud]

i think its the right timing for hyundai to enter a (serious) motorsport.
they started to make both nice looking and quite good cars, lots of good test around the world.
and i know from some insiders in carbuisness that they have better spec than mercedes on the parts they fits theire cars in produktion. they have serious plans to sell lots of cars in europe, maybe wrc is the right tool? it can only go up from now....

[Plan9]

I was surprised the i20 was chosen. I was expecting the Kia Rio. Hyundai/Kia are indeed making good cars now indeed. Going on a bit of a media blitz to in NZ atm. It will be interesting to see if something more substantial than rumors emerge in the coming months.

[N.O.T]

you expected Hyundai to enter a car from a different manufacturer ??

[Maui J.]

you expected Hyundai to enter a car from a different manufacturer ??

Hyundai own 49.2% of Kia.

[N.O.T]

Hyundai own 49.2% of Kia.

and PSA owns citroen and peugeot.... and the VAG group everything

You would expect the citroen team to compete with the 208 ? or the VW team to enter the Audi a3 ?

You guys are serious when saying such things ?

[leighton323]

and PSA owns citroen and peugeot.... and the VAG group everything

You would expect the citroen team to compete with the 208 ? or the VW team to enter the Audi a3 ?

You guys are serious when saying such things ?

He meant why doesn't the parent company of Hyundai and Kia use the Kia brand instead of the Hyundai brand, so Kia would be in the WRC like MINI are BMW. This isn't likely but still a honest suggestion was made, don't slag.

[N.O.T]

When you first heard that VW will enter the WRC and announced the Polo you were surprised they did not enter an audi model ??

The rumour (and for the moment is JUST that) states hyundai will enter...not the hyundai group or a Korean manufacturer.

Lets stop that here...the discussion it self is stupid...

Now on topic, lets hope those rumours are true because over the years we heard many manufacturers entering the WRC "next year" i believe FIAT has around 378 "next year entries" so far....

[Sulland]

If Hyundai should enter why do that with the I20 and not the Veloster that looks like a competition car!
The measurements are not that far apart, so that can not be the reason.

Why did Toyota change from Celica to Corolla way back then ?

[rallyfiend]

If Hyundai should enter why do that with the I20 and not the Veloster that looks like a competition car!
The measurements are not that far apart, so that can not be the reason.

Why did Toyota change from Celica to Corolla way back then ?

Brand image?

Better to make your shopping trolley / everyday driver / mum's car car look sexy and more appealing than to spice up and already spiced up car?

[AndyRAC]

Brand image?

Better to make your shopping trolley / everyday driver / mum's car car look sexy and more appealing than to spice up and already spiced up car?


Except it doesn't really work - remember the last Accent WRC? And the road car Accents.....utter pants, awful cars.

[Rallyper]

Except it doesn't really work - remember the last Accent WRC? And the road car Accents.....utter pants, awful cars.

I didn´t work because of bad work. Could be better now when lessons learned...

[grugsticles]

I actually dont mind the look of the early Accent road cars with the 'WRC edition' body kit.
I actually had thought that if I had the money and time I would buy a Mitsubishi EVO half cut and fit it into the accent shell. Great little sleeper! Do some serious engine work, add anti-lag and sequential gear shift and you will confuse the hell out of some so called quick cars.

As for Hyundai's current venture, if it actually goes through, I say fantastic! Their previous WRC effort wasnt that bad, just massively under funded.
Although, I do question their timing given the WRC's current promotion situation.

[Rallyper]

I actually dont mind the look of the early Accent road cars with the 'WRC edition' body kit.
I actually had thought that if I had the money and time I would buy a Mitsubishi EVO half cut and fit it into the accent shell. Great little sleeper! Do some serious engine work, add anti-lag and sequential gear shift and you will confuse the hell out of some so called quick cars.

As for Hyundai's current venture, if it actually goes through, I say fantastic! Their previous WRC effort wasnt that bad, just massively under funded.
Although, I do question their timing given the WRC's current promotion situation.

Now is the time to develop and come out strong when WRC is on target again. Let´s say hopefully maybe 2014? I would be delighted as well if Huyndai would join the WRC.

[grugsticles]

Now is the time to develop and come out strong when WRC is on target again. Let´s say hopefully maybe 2014? I would be delighted as well if Huyndai would join the WRC.
Normally I would whole heartedly agree, but IMO the WRC is in the biggest shambles that I can remember. From the top nothing seems to be working properly. There seems to be a lot of finger pointing, blaming and waiting for someone else to take action.
I fear that Hyundai may end up doing a Suzuki and develop a reasonable car, put a big plan in place, promise everything to the supporters and then come to realise that their investment isnt going to pay off. I dont know what Hyundai's financial situation is but I would take a stab at them being 'in a better situation than most manufacturers' rather than 'giggling happily with more cash than they know what to do with'. If they are not wise with it they may find themselves in trouble. If they think they can find sponsorship to run their program Id like to know where they get that idea given the whole Mini/Prodrive fiasco.

But as you say, finance aside, best to get on board while there is a good opening.

[Gregor-y]

Now is the time to develop and come out strong when WRC is on target again. Let´s say hopefully maybe 2014? I would be delighted as well if Huyndai would join the WRC.

I'd agree it's a better time to join than when Suzuki tried, but are things really set for now? I would guess with VW joining it's a fairly safe bet, though.

[Rallyper]

I'd agree it's a better time to join than when Suzuki tried, but are things really set for now? I would guess with VW joining it's a fairly safe bet, though.

I think Huyndai and any other factory thinking of joining the WRC should have been started already developing the bodyshell and even engine. Then making a "VW-year" in 2013, with a S2000, just to go all in in 2014.

That would be the most efficiant time schedule at the moment...

[Prisoner Monkeys]

Hyundai to join the WRC?

I'll believe it when I see it.

I think they're one of the few manufacturers who could reasonably and easily join the WRC (though I like the i30 better than the i20), but I can't see any appeal in entering the category. If the WRC wants to get the Asian manufacturers back in as works teams, then they need a local event. That means reviving the Rally of Japan, or starting a new one in South Korea (which is very unlikely).

If there is any truth to this, then Hyundai are probably just making the i20 available under the Group R regulations the way Toyota did the TMG Yaris earlier this month.

[rallyfiend]

Hyundai to join the WRC?

I'll believe it when I see it.

I think they're one of the few manufacturers who could reasonably and easily join the WRC (though I like the i30 better than the i20), but I can't see any appeal in entering the category. If the WRC wants to get the Asian manufacturers back in as works teams, then they need a local event. That means reviving the Rally of Japan, or starting a new one in South Korea (which is very unlikely).

If there is any truth to this, then Hyundai are probably just making the i20 available under the Group R regulations the way Toyota did the TMG Yaris earlier this month.

Manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota join a series like the WRC to sell cars outside their home markets.

Subaru, Toyota, Suzuki etc were all involved well before Rally Japan entered the WRC. There's no need for a home event. Everyone in those countries already knows who they are...

[Prisoner Monkeys]

Perhaps, but a home event sweetens the deal. Especially if they can succeed at it.