Hyundai has been absent from the Motorsport scene for quite a long time, nine years to be more specific, but recent rumors suggest that the Korean car manufacturer is looking to re-enter the World Rally Championship next year with a full works team.
According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Hyundai want to enhance their image and continue growing their market share in Europe, which is why they have chosen the i20 as their WRC challenger.
Hyundai’s first WRC participation came in 1998 when they entered the F2 Class, their plans soon escalated into a full-time WRC program with the Accent WRC in 2000. Their best result is a fourth place finish at the Rally of Great Britain.
If the rumors pan out, Hyundai will be the 5th manufacturer in WRC alongside Citroen, Ford, Mini and VW.