Hyundai has conducted the first significant test of its i20 World Rally Car, running in 2014 specification in France last week. The car, which is scheduled for a competitive debut in Monte Carlo next January, completed 550 kilometres on tarmac over the course of three days without encountering any particular issues.
Prior to its French outing, the car had completed initial testing close to the Hyundai Motorsport team base in Alzenau, Germany. Data gained from the French test on different set-up solutions and feedback on the i20 WRC's 1.6-litre turbocharged engine will be analysed by engineers back at base.
Hyundai Motorsport team principal Michel Nandan said of the tests:
"It has been a busy few months here at Hyundai Motorsport as we prepared to kick-off our testing programme to get ready for the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship. The car is on the road and I have to admit it was quite an emotional moment to see the latest specification of the i20 WRC in action for the first time."
Nandan added: "We have an intensive testing schedule for the rest of 2013 which will take us to different venues across Europe, to evaluate the i20 WRC in different conditions and on different terrains which reflect the variety of circumstances we will encounter in the World Rally Championship next year."
And as for the names of the drivers who will spearhead Hyundai's assault on the WRC: "We are not disclosing the names of the various drivers we will have."