Hyundai turns to Ricardo for WRC Hybrid push
HYUNDAI Motorsport GmbH (HMSG) has selected world-leading motorsport transmission specialist Ricardo Performance Products as technical partner in the development of the all-new hybrid four-wheel drive transmission for its next generation World Rally Championship contender.
The WRC’s hybrid era commences in 2022. Ricardo will draw upon its extensive experience in traditional, hybrid and fully electric motorsport, together with its longstanding pedigree in WRC transmissions and drivelines. But it is the success of its collaboration with Hyundai in rallying’s second tier that underpins the new deal.
The two companies have enjoyed a five-year partnership on the Hyundai i20 R5, which featured a 5-speed sequential gearbox and differential units designed and manufactured by Ricardo. That existing agreement, under which Ricardo supplies drivelines for the i20 N Rally2 car, has also been renewed.
Martin Starkey, Managing Director of Ricardo Performance Products Division, said: “We have made significant investments in our performance manufacturing facilities in terms of both capacity and capabilities. I am confident, therefore, that we will offer HMSG a very strong technical solution to support their bid for the World Rally Championship title in 2022 and beyond, while also building on the proven success of the i20 with the transmission for the next generation Rally2 car.”
The new hybrid transmissions will be designed, manufactured and assembled at the Ricardo Performance Products facility in Leamington Spa, UK.