2021 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC #6
Pilots: D. Sordo / C. Carrera
Team: Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT
Race: 3rd overall (WRC1 class) at the Monza Rally 2021
Ixo - RAM824A (diecast)
Published 05/21/24
The Hyundai Motor Company started in 1967, founded by Chung Ju-yung in South Korea. Their first model was a Ford-based Cortina, with the first true South Korean car being the 1975 Pony. In 1982 they began exporting the Pony, and by 1991 they had developed their own engine. And in 1996 they established their first factory overseas. With solid management Hyundai became one of the world’s biggest auto manufacturers, with a huge line-up. With a growing world presence, inevitably they would have to dip their toes in motorsports. Hyundai initiated a motorsports program in 1998, to compete in the World Rally Championship. In 2000 the Hyundai World Rally Team debuted the Accent WRC, first racing it in the Swedish Rally. They raced the Accent from 2000 to 2003, with their best result being a fourth place in 2001. With the poor results, in 2003 Hyundai left the rally scene.
When they retired from the WRC, the idea was to return in 2006, however that didn’t happen. Nonetheless, in 2014 Hyundai was back, this time with the i20 WRC. Their new rally weapon was based on their subcompact i20, first released in 2012. The i20 WRC came from Hyundai’s motorsport division, based in Frankfurt, Germany. Hyundai entered the 2014 WRC with a two-car works team, managing a first place in the Rallye Deutschland. In 2016, Hyundai replaced the i20 WRC with the i20 NG WRC (“Next Generation”). And because of new regulations for 2017, immediately after the NG, came the i20 Coupe WRC. The new i20 was a three-door coupe, with a stronger engine, improved aerodynamics, active central differential and lighter weight. Hyundai improved the i20 incrementally every season, culminating in the 2021 version of the car. That season would be the last season of the WRC1 era.
By 2021, Hyundai had won two WRC titles, so the new i20 Coupe had a big responsibility. Per FIA regulations, powering the new i20 Coupe was Hyundai’s “global WRC engine”. It was a turbo-charged inline-4 displacing 1600 cm³, producing 279.5 kW (380 hp). Furthermore, it counted on a 6-speed sequential gearbox, and of course, 4WD, with a 1190 kg curb weight. Hyundai came to the 2021 season with two teams. Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT was the works team, while Hyundai 2C Competition was a factory-supported team, each with two cars. After 12 rounds, the manufacturer finished in second (Mobis WRT) and fourth (2C Competition). Piloted by Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera, the i20 Coupe WRC #6 here finished in third overall at Rally Monza. That was the last race of the season, with Sordo finishing the driver’s championship in sixth place.
Hyundai is very new to motorsports, with zero so-called “race heritage”. Well, you have to start somewhere, right? Nonetheless, it looks like they are quite serious about rallying so far, which caught my attention. I’m not a Hyundai fan but in general I like their cars, and I’m always at the lookout for something new for the W-143 Garage. I want at least one of the cars from all the WRC Big Dogs, therefore, Hyundai was a must. With that, Ixo’s i20 Coupe WRC #6 nicely fits the bill – a very nice model at a reasonable price. Overall, it’s as nice as my Polo R WRC. Besides, since Spark hasn’t come out with these cars yet, Ixo is the only game in town. However, I honestly don’t need it better than this. In closing, a very nice model at a good price. And with a not-boring livery? Win 😁!