In a step that gets Hyundai back to rallying after the last time they competed on famous unsuccessfull hyunday Accent WRC, Hyundai starts building a rally car around its new coupe, the Veloster, so are the talking WRC, S2000, IRC or…
Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing have unveiled the new Veloster rally coupe at the Chicago Auto Show.
This Hyundai has been built from zero. Hyundai had practically nothing to rely on for feedback to start their car. The Korean car manufacturing giant wants something in motorsports, so after all the rumors of F1, we have a rally car.
The car features a stitch-welded chassis, a custom suspension, a race-spec interior, and 18-inch HRE wheels with Hankook tires. Furthermore, thanks to carbon kevlar body panels, the car weighs 2,656 pounds (1,205 kg).
The Veloster is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) and 600 lb-ft (813 Nm) of torque. It sends power to the ground via an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
According to Mike O’Brien, Hyundai’s North American vice president of Product and Corporate Planning, “The all-new 2012 Veloster is a playful, fun to drive car and thanks to Rhys and his team we’re excited to introduce it to racing fans ahead of its launch this summer. I teamed up with Rhys’ father, Rod, nearly twenty years ago for Hyundai’s original Pikes Peak rally program, so it is great to be back in the sport again with his son inspiring a new generation.”
Most probably Hyundai is not aiming for a WRC entry or even an IRC entry, but if the car is successful it might end up there anyway. Hyundai may also take the initiative and participate but for now a total of three Velosters will be built and they will compete in the U.S. Rallycross Championship (2WD / AWD) and the Summer X Games.
HYUNDAI VELOSTER RALLY CAR TECH SPECS
- Curb weight: 2,656 pounds
- Engine: Hyundai 500-horspower four-cylinder turbocharged
- Transmission: Xtrac six-speed sequential
- Transfer case: Xtrac four wheel drive
- Front and rear differentials: Xtrac
- Suspension: Proflex jumbo coil over
- Front Brakes: 14-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
- Rear Brakes: 12-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
- Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch HRE
- Tires: 245/40-18 Hankook racing tire
- Seats and harnesses: Sparco
Interesting enough the car is sponsored by red bull. Red Bull has been taking over motorsports latey, will they ditch Citroen for Hyundai?
