Koreans unveil racing team

Hyundai has announced its driver line-up for the marque’s return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the Monte Carlo Rally in January with the i20 World Rally Car. The Hyundai Shell World Rally Team will be headed by Belgian Thierry Neuville, runner-up in 2013’s championship with Spaniard Dani Sordo, with Australian Chris Atkinson and Finn Juho Hanninen, sharing the second car. The i20 WRC is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine producing 200kW, with a six-speed sequential gearbox and four-wheel-drive. Michel Nandan, team principal of Hyundai Motorsport, says “In less than one year, we have built and tested the new WRC-specification car, and established a professional team and modern motorsport facility. “It’s a huge accomplishment but our aims for 2014 are realistic. We want to finish each rally with both cars and build up a database of information and experience so we can develop into prospective winners.” Hyundai has also announced its Hyundai “N” will symbolise technology on the i20 WRC car and future mass-produced high-performance cars. The “N” takes inspiration from the Namyang research and development centre that collaborated with Hyundai Motorsport on the i20 WRC.