Heralds action-packed 2017 WRC season
With Volkswagen out of the picture, manufacturers like Citroën, Toyota and Hyundai are gearing up for the upcoming 2017 WRC season.
VW has secured a place in rally history with 12 titles and four consecutive victories in the World Rally Championship, but the brand's motorsport efforts were thrown into turmoil by Dieselgate. Therefore, it's time for other carmakers to step up and claim the crown.
Hyundai, for example, a newcomer into the world of WRC following a debut in 2014, revealed the 2017 i20 Coupé WRC – its third rally car so far – in the presence of the three drivers set to take the wheel in the competition – Thierry Neuville, Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo.
"All teams are starting from scratch so we are on equal footing. Having finished in a fighting second in 2016, we want to demonstrate our ability to fight for the Championship next season – and we are confident the i20 Coupe WRC will help us do just that."
Team Principal Michel Nandan
For the sideline spectator, the upcoming WRC season promises an even greater spectacle enforced by the new FIA car regulations.
The new set of rules includes martial aero bits and an increase in power from 300 to 380 hp, as well as a weight-cutting program for all the rally cars.