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Hyundai's 2017 car nears completion

Hyundai has begun testing the final version of its 2017-spec i20 World Rally Car, with three of its works team drivers taking the wheel this week during a four-day gravel test in Spain.

The culmination of five months of development work, the three-door car featured Hyundai's latest aerodynamic package and is close to the specification that will make its WRC debut at Rallye Monte Carlo in January.

Work began on the new car back in April, using a mule for initial tests. Since June, a second evolution of the car was put through its paces in private testing.

Development driver Kevin Abbring has carried out most of the testing to date, and he kicked things off this week on Tuesday before handing the car over to Dani Sordo and finally Hayden Paddon. Thierry Neuville did not drive the car.

The development test came at a busy time for the team as it prepares for the upcoming WRC rounds in Corsica and Spain.

A pre-event test in Catalunya was held in the final week of August in preparation for RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España, while the drivers will head to Corsica next week to prepare for the tenth round of the season, Tour de Corse - Rallye de France, which starts on 29 September.

Zdroj: wrc.com