The highly-anticipated evolution of Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 will make its competitive debut at the second round of the World Rally Championship in Sweden.
Hyundai will therefore compete with last year’s car at next week’s season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, with the 2025-spec i20 first appearing on February 13-16.
The Alzenau-based squad had initially hoped to introduce a virtually brand-new car this season, but those plans were shelved amid uncertainty over the 2025 regulations at the start of 2024.
However an agreement to bring forward its 2026 development jokers by one year means Hyundai has been able to salvage some of its development plans, which will be seen for the first time in Umeå.
“That’s the plan,” world champion Thierry Neuville told DirtFish.
Neuville has been coy on the changes that are coming with Hyundai's 2025-spec car – but he appears optimistic
Information about what exactly has been improved has been well hidden, although testing shots indicate the suspension has been significantly redesigned; the current angled dampers understood to be replaced by a more vertical setup.
The transmission is also believed to be another area of improvement.
Neuville again batted away questions about the new car when asked by DirtFish during a Hyundai media day last weekend, but his wide grin gave up some of the secrets.
“I’m looking forward to the new car, yeah,” he smiled.
“Testing has been very limited but has been promising.”
Asked if it would be faster or just more comfortable to drive, Neuville replied: “A bit of both.”
