Hyundai Motorsport’s New Generation i20 R5 completed a trouble-free weekend at the Ypres Rally (June 22-25), marking the first public appearance of the new car.
The Customer Racing department took advantage of five days of running in western Belgium, ending with the New Generation i20 R5 taking on the role of VIP Car for the rally, the fifth round of this year’s European Rally Championship (ERC).
In changeable conditions across the five days the New Generation i20 R5 completed over 400km, half at the head of the ERC field. The running continued to expand the range of locations the Customer Racing department have tested on, with the fast, narrow roads and deep cuts of the unique Ypres Rally stages placing unique demands on a car’s handling transmission and handling characteristics.
The excitement around the New Generation i20 R5 for the weekend was an obvious positive, and added to the programme’s building momentum towards the planned homologation. However, the team’s focus remained on continuing their work, developing Hyundai Motorsport’s first car designed for customers.