The Hyundai i20 WRC wins big in Monte Carlo

After just two seasons in the super-competitive World Rally Championship arena – including a sterling debut season, and locked in a struggle for second place in the Manufacturer’s title in 2015. The Hyundai WRC team kicks off the 2016 season in fine fashion with a third place podium finish at the Rallye Monte Carlo opener.

Thierry Neuville powered his i20 WRC car to third place overall after a competitive weekend- while his Hyundai Shell World Rally team mate Dani Sordo completed the four day event in sixth place. The double top-six finish sees Hyundai Motorsport jointly lead the Manufacturers’ Championship with ex-champions Volkswagen Motorsport on 25 points apiece.Thierry Neuville nursed his car home after experiencing transmission problems in the final stage but managed to reach the service area in Monaco to celebrate the podium result. ARVIND KUMAR

Here’s how the Rally Monte Carlo 2016 finished

1. S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) 3:49:53.1

2. A. Mikkelsen / A. Jaeger (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +1:54.5

3.. T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul (Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) +3:17.9

4. M. Østberg / O. Floene (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +4:47.7

5. S. Lefebvre / G. Moreau (Citroën DS3 WRC) +7:35.6

6. D. Sordo / M. Martí (Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) +10:35.5

7. O. Tanak / R. Molder (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +11:39.9

8. E. Evans / C. Parry (Ford Fiesta R5) +18:30.8

9. E. Lappi / J. Ferm (Škoda Fabia R5) +20:41.0

10. A. Kremer / P. Winklhofer (Škoda Fabia R5) +20:43.9

Technical Specifications of Hyundai’s Monte Carlo screamer…

Price: an irrelevant circa RM3.2million – not counting spares, logistics costs, race team and Thierry Neuville’s wages

Engine: Hyundai Motorsport turbocharged engine with direct injectio 1600cc in-line four, turbocharged and direct-injected, Magneti Marelli SRG Engine Control Unit, 300bhp @ 6000rpm, 400Nm @ 5000rpm

Gearbox: Sequential gearbox, six-speed and one reverse with paddle shifts, all-wheel drive, mechanical differentials fron and rear, cerametallic twin-disk clutch

Suspension: Front and rear: MacPherson Struts wit adjustable dampers

Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes: Ventilated Brembo disc brakes (355mm on tarmac; 300mm on gravel). Air-cooled 4-piston callipers

Wheels and tyres: Michelin tyres. Range: Pilot Sport for tarmac, A41 for snow/ice tarmac, X-Ice North for ice/snow gravel and Latitude Cross for gravel. 8x18 inch wheels for tarmac, 7x15 inch for gravel

Safety: FIA-conformant reinforced steel and composite fibre body with welded multi-point roll cage, no-airbags here!

Weight: 1,200kg minimum / 1,360kg with driver and co-driver

Dimensions: Length x Width x Height: 4,035 mm x 1,820 mm x 1,420 mm

Fuel tank capacity (max): 80-litres

Performance: 0-100kph circa 3.9secs depending of surface conditions; Top Speed circa-200kph depending on gearbox setup, and how comfortable one is with adjacent trees whizzing past...