The 2016 Hyundai i20 WRC car has been in Spain undergoing further engine and chassis development as well as altitude testing.

THE 2016 HYUNDAI i20 WRC car is getting closer to being ready to race. Last week, Hyundai was in Spain testing the new rally car. The test marked the latest phase of development for the car, which will make its debut in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship.

The team’s test driver Kevin Abbring and his co-driver Sebastian Marshall were at the wheel of the new i20 WRC together with Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul. Work, says the manufacturer, focused on engine and chassis development, as well as altitude testing with the latest iteration of the car, which has been upgraded compared to the version used in previous tests.

Team Principal Michel Nandan said: “We had a very detailed week of testing planned in Spain recently, as we put an upgraded version of our New Generation i20 WRC through its paces in the Almeria region. Kevin and Thierry worked on engine and chassis development, as well as altitude tests, which will help us to further develop the car as we move through 2015.

“We had hoped to introduce the new car later this season but unfortunately an issue with the homologation schedule – related to production of the three-door road version – will delay our programme. We have therefore opted to continue focus on the five-door version of the New Generation i20 WRC which will compete at Rallye Monte-Carlo next year.”