Hyundai Motorsport entered the 2017 World Rally Championship with a brand new challenger, the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. The car, which was designed to meet the series new technical regulations is probably the fastest Hyundai rally car ever built.
It is the fourth WRC specification car from the Korean marque after the Accent, i20 WRC and New i20 WRC. The new technical regulations for 2017 have been introduced to enhance the overall spectacle of WRC with cars sporting an aggressive new look. While changes have centered on improving aerodynamic and mechanical grip, there has been an increase in engine power from 300 to 380bhp, a reduction in the overall weight of the car, and the re-introduction of the active centre differential.
As its name suggests, the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (above) comes with three doors compared to the five in its predecessor (below).
But while there are two doors less, the new-for-2017 challenger has a power output of 380hp thanks to the introduction of a larger turbo restrictor – up from 33mm on last year’s car to 36mm. The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC is wider but lighter – it has shed 10kg compared to the New Generation i20 WRC, which combined with the increase in power should lead to an exhilarating spectacle in 2017 (says the press officer).
Testing of the 2017 Hyundai began in Spring 2016. This was primarily a mechanical systems check, with very little of the new package clearly visible. Initial work was centred on engine and powertrain testing, suspension, differential and aero work came later. Note the location of the cockpit cooling duct, offset to the drivers side (below)
Secrecy was increased later with the now inevitable dazzle ship livery appearing on the new car (below). Comparing the roll out specification to the later test the only major differences are to the location of the cockpit cooling duct (now enlarged and centrally located), and the shape of the front corner of the bodywork has been reshaped slightly.
From another angle the shape of the rest of the new car becomes apparent, note the flared rear wheel arches, double element rear wing and apparent lack of rear brake ducts.
In asphalt test specification another change to the car also just visible in the previous image, namely the reshaped main cooling duct, with the shape essentially inverted.
At the Paris Motor Show in late 2016 Hyundai revealed what it called its WRC concept car which in reality was an updated version of the test car. The front end of the car was again mildly revised.
The Paris show version of the car was the first opportunity to get a look at the Hyundai diffuser which features four strakes and the exhaust tail pipe mounted in one of the segments. Notably other 2017 WRC designs mount the exhaust above the diffuser. Note how the rear of the wheel arch is blanked off with a solid panel, and no rear brake duct is evident.
Eventually the ‘final’ version of the i20 Coupe WRC was launched at an event at Monza in Italy and it featured a number of notable updates, especially to the front end. A new cooling layout had been added with the front brake cooling ducts segmented from the main inlet.
Large twin diveplanes had been added to the front corner, taking advantage of the aerodynamic freedom offered by the 2017 technical regulations.
The rear brake ducts were finally revealed, taking the form of NACA ducts just below the rear windscreen, located far higher than on any other car, presumably to avoid the build up of debris (below).
The first chance to look at the car in its proper final form did not really come until the team of three i20 Coupe WRCs arrived on the streets of Monaco for the opening round of the season.
The diffuser had been completely redesigned (above), now with six strakes, note the cut out for the exhaust. A small cooling exit has also appeared on the rear corner. It has been commented on frequently that the strakes and other small aerodynamic details on this new breed of car will have to be very solidly constructed to be able to survive the stages.
The clearly interchangeable panel behind the rear wheel has been opened up and fitted with a series of louvres.
A similar approach has been taken behind the front wheel arch too, with a smaller louvred section. It seems likely this will be opened up more for pure asphalt events (Monte-Carlo 2017 is ‘semi-snow’)
As the ‘Monte’ starts off with a pair of night stages the i20 Coupe made its WRC debut fitted with the optional additional lighting options, including the large lamp pod on the bonnet and the neatly integrated lights in the front bumper.
With the lamp pod removed and the car stopped at a control it became clear that the front dive planes have been revised too, with the upper element gaining a small external lip, while the lower element goes without. Note how the engine bay cooling vent sits slightly proud of the bonnet (visible just at the top of the image)
A first look at the front brake and strut setup on the Hyundai, the calipers are from Brembo, and the dampers from Italian firm Extreme Racing Shox.
For the cold conditions of the 2017 Monte Carlo the rear brake ducts were blanked off (below)
The i20 Coupe WRC showed strong pace from the outset, leading its debut event on the opening stages.
