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Hyundai to kickstart performance wing with next-gen i20 hatch

Hyundai has entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) with the i20 hatchback, a rival to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and the Peugeot 208s in the rallying scene. The WRC-spec i20 is likely to be the basis for a high performance road going version that will tag along with the next-generation model of the i20.

Note: Hyundai WRC-spec i20 used in this report is illustrative in nature. 

The high performance version of the i20 will mark the arrival of Hyundai's new performance car division, the rival to the likes of Nissan's NISMO and Toyota's TRD high performance car divisions. The next-gen i20 is currently undergoing tests across the globe and is likely to be launched in India and other international markets next year.

The high performance car to be based on the next-gen i20 is touted to debut in 2015. The modified version of the car that will be aimed at performance hatchback enthusiasts will also form the basis for Hyundai's 2015 WRC entry. Apart from the souped up version of the next-gen i20 hatchback, Hyundai is likely to treat more cars from its line up with performance parts.

Also, Overdrive Editor, Mr. Bertrand D'Souza has tweeted that the 2014 WRC-spec i20's bodyshell will be built in India. With that development in place, Hyundai's Indian factory at Sriperumbudur, off Chennai, could play a pivotal role in the car maker's future plans for its high performance division. 

The South Korean car maker has just inaugurated a test facility at the Nurburgring in Germany, one that is likely to improve the ride and handling characteristics of future Hyundai cars. This facility's inputs could prove to be crucial for cars rolling out from Hyundai's brand new performance division. 

Eventually, the trickle down effect from Hyundai's WRC efforts and the performance division is likely to make Hyundai cars more fun to drive, a major departure from the bouncy, and insipid ride and handling packages most Hyundai cars sold globally are known to come with. The car maker is already off to a promising start. 

Source Drive.Au

 
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