Hyundai to start performance division with next-gen i20
Hyundai, the South Korean automaker has finally entered the World Rally Championship (WRC). On the back of i20 hatchback, the company entered the WRC and will compete against the likes of the Ford Fiesta and the Peugeot 208s. The performance-oriented i20 model is also under development, and the WRC-spec i20 could offer the platform for this hatch. The high performance hatch will be introduced alongside the next-generation i20 model.
The South Korean automaker will use its return to WRC in 2014 to promote its new performance division. The company's initial focus will be on the European market, where WRC is more common, but it has plans to introduce the go-fast Hyundais under the performance sub-brand in US as well.
The performance oriented i20 is expected to come with a turbocharged engine and an all-wheel drive. More models would also join the league, and Veloster Turbo and Genesis Coupe are the probables. It is also speculated that Hyundai is also considering a sporty Elantra GT Turbo. The next-generation Hyundai i20 has been spotted several times during its test rounds across the world, and is expected to be launched in the Indian car market by the next year.
The performance oriented i20 is expected to debut in 2015, and its modified version will also be used for the development of Hyundai's 2015 WRC entrant. It is also speculated that the company could also produce more cars from its line up with performance parts. Moreover, the bodyshell for the 2014 WRC-spec i20 will be manufactured in India.
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