Tearing up the ground with Hyundai N in WRC
07 Jun 2023|4,832 views
It's almost normal that K-pop sensation BLACKPINK as well as kimchi come to mind whenever you think of South Korea. Ask around, ask anybody what comes to mind when they think of South Korea and no one will say, "Hyundai!"
But that may well change.
Because of the Hyundai N's - the carmaker's high-performance arm - incredible involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the land of Oppa Gangnam style (Yes, I come from a different era) has been tearing up dirt from the earth for two decades now. Best of all, the brand is leaving its competitors in its dust.
The best things in life aren't for free
The Hyundai N i20 rally car is a sight to behold As with everything worth committing to and fighting for, this Korean cap of excellence didn't come easy. Hyundai, a brand that's synonymous with budget-friendly family sedans, has undergone a radical transformation, and more so in recent years.
It's like the brand went to the gym regularly every day, pumped iron, and suddenly emerged as a brawny and compelling contender in the auto business. Yes, it could be a Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS conqueror on the track, but the Hyundai N brand is more than just your regular fast car that can make your heart miss a beat, because nothing showcases Hyundai's newfound prowess quite like its involvement in the WRC.
Here, the South Korean carmaker showcases the unwavering commitment to the motorsport, with clever engineering of innovation as well as technological advancement to the Hyundai i20 cars that are involved in the race. Such a small and understated car makes the Hyundai brand comes across as a charming underdog, one that deserves credit for creating a new paradigm for enthusiasts all over the world.
Hyundai N certainly knows how to put on a show Truth be told, I've never had a soft spot for rallying. If I had to choose, I would choose Formula One (F1) over WRC, but that's also because F1 is a sport that's more accessible to us Singaporeans. Best of all, I always thought that F1 drivers were at the pinnacle of racing, until I caught WRC in the flesh in Sardinia, Italy.
The insane speeds that require skilful control of the cars (and on slippery, muddy ground, no less), the fearless manoeuvres and the smell of intoxicating adrenaline mixed with burning adventure - it's the automotive equivalent of watching a bullfight on steroids.
And based on what I saw, Hyundai N knows how to put on a show.
The hardest part is always at the beginning
Hyundai has invested heavily in the WRC sport Of course, what we're talking about is the present. It was quite different in the past, it seems. Considering Hyundai has always been a brand that's better known for reliable cars, and not tyre-shredding monsters, its entry into the WRC was met with scepticism. Plus, mind you, it's not exactly a cheap sport to enter.
According to a spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Company, millions of dollars have been invested into the motorsport. From drivers and cars, to marketing and sponsorships, the brand letter has been heavily invested in. Thankfully, Hyundai proved naysayers wrong. Hyundai N quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, storming through the rally stages and different markets with the sort of ferocity that resembles a caged Siberian tiger that has finally been unleashed.
Credit goes to the engineers for their wizardry, because underneath the hood of the Hyundai i20 rally cars lies a potent combination of power and driving dynamics. The Korean pocket rocket has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that sends its output to all four wheels, which can catapult itself from 0 to 100km/h faster than you can say "Kimchi".
Engineers working hard to make sure the rally car is ready for the next race But I reckon it's more than just power that sets Hyundai N apart from its peers. I mean, the Toyota GR performs just as well, and it's hard to fault either one when it comes to motorsports. However, from what I've seen with my own eyes, it's Hyundai's unwavering commitment to excellence and perfection that makes the brand that much more special than the fellow next door.
The guys at the service parks, for instance, push the boundaries of what's possible, squeezing every ounce of performance and perfection out of their machines - and all within a time frame that seems physically and mentally impossible to people like you and me, and arguably half the population on Earth.
45 minutes. 45 minute is all they get to service and repair the rally cars. There are three servicing times on a race day. Morning, afternoon and evening. And it's all fine and dandy if the cars did come back in one piece. The challenge is when the car comes back after a crash, like one of the three Hyundai N cars I saw during the noon service.
And I thought F1 was hard...
Getting there is easy, maintaining is hard
Due to tight time contraints, even the driver of the rally car is involved in the repairs Thankfully, the results speak for themselves. During my time at WRC 1 in Sardinia, Italy, Hyundai was in the first and third position, with Ford taking up the second position.
Now that I'm back in Singapore, drinking my scotch and writing this to you, Hyundai N came in first and second place. It proves that the South Korean carmaker has been on a meteoric rise in the WRC, consistently challenging the established titans of the sport like Ford and Citroen.
This lovely marriage between man and machine has help Hyundai to claim podium finishes. Yes, some of you young ones may even argue that Hyundai has toppled the giants with the force of a K-pop megahit, but this kind of success isn't just measured in polished trophies, but in the respect the brand has earned from their competitors and regular folks like you and me.
Over 5,000 people were at one spot of the WRC race - all waiting eagerly for the cars to pass by You'll have to understand that getting podium finishes may be hard, but maintaining the same sort of finishes requires a tad more than just discipline. It requires consistency and that's crucial for Hyundai because consistency opens up a lot more doors and options for the brand.
The brand has changed and you need to as well
But I suspect the carmaker already knows that, since Hyundai N's involvement in the WRC means that much more for the brand as a whole. In a way, Hyundai has managed to shed the monotonous image of regular everyday cars and replaced it with one that's passionate and pure. Someone even told me Hyundai N is like that nerdy kid with glasses who was constantly ignored but has now grown up and embraced leather jackets and is now the life of every party.
The rally car getting prepared for the next race And he couldn't have expressed it better. Hyundai has injected the much-needed dose of entertainment and excitement into the brand, proving that underdogs can always triumph against all odds with the right mindset and commitment.
So the next time someone asks you about South Korea, "Hyundai!" should be the first thing that comes to mind. It's the symbol of the country's tenacity and perseverance, a reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places, and a warning to other well-established brands that Hyundai N can be more exciting, more entertaining and sure as hell more enthralling.
But that may well change.
Because of the Hyundai N's - the carmaker's high-performance arm - incredible involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the land of Oppa Gangnam style (Yes, I come from a different era) has been tearing up dirt from the earth for two decades now. Best of all, the brand is leaving its competitors in its dust.
The best things in life aren't for free
It's like the brand went to the gym regularly every day, pumped iron, and suddenly emerged as a brawny and compelling contender in the auto business. Yes, it could be a Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS conqueror on the track, but the Hyundai N brand is more than just your regular fast car that can make your heart miss a beat, because nothing showcases Hyundai's newfound prowess quite like its involvement in the WRC.
Here, the South Korean carmaker showcases the unwavering commitment to the motorsport, with clever engineering of innovation as well as technological advancement to the Hyundai i20 cars that are involved in the race. Such a small and understated car makes the Hyundai brand comes across as a charming underdog, one that deserves credit for creating a new paradigm for enthusiasts all over the world.
The insane speeds that require skilful control of the cars (and on slippery, muddy ground, no less), the fearless manoeuvres and the smell of intoxicating adrenaline mixed with burning adventure - it's the automotive equivalent of watching a bullfight on steroids.
And based on what I saw, Hyundai N knows how to put on a show.
The hardest part is always at the beginning
According to a spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Company, millions of dollars have been invested into the motorsport. From drivers and cars, to marketing and sponsorships, the brand letter has been heavily invested in. Thankfully, Hyundai proved naysayers wrong. Hyundai N quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, storming through the rally stages and different markets with the sort of ferocity that resembles a caged Siberian tiger that has finally been unleashed.
Credit goes to the engineers for their wizardry, because underneath the hood of the Hyundai i20 rally cars lies a potent combination of power and driving dynamics. The Korean pocket rocket has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that sends its output to all four wheels, which can catapult itself from 0 to 100km/h faster than you can say "Kimchi".
The guys at the service parks, for instance, push the boundaries of what's possible, squeezing every ounce of performance and perfection out of their machines - and all within a time frame that seems physically and mentally impossible to people like you and me, and arguably half the population on Earth.
45 minutes. 45 minute is all they get to service and repair the rally cars. There are three servicing times on a race day. Morning, afternoon and evening. And it's all fine and dandy if the cars did come back in one piece. The challenge is when the car comes back after a crash, like one of the three Hyundai N cars I saw during the noon service.
And I thought F1 was hard...
Getting there is easy, maintaining is hard
Now that I'm back in Singapore, drinking my scotch and writing this to you, Hyundai N came in first and second place. It proves that the South Korean carmaker has been on a meteoric rise in the WRC, consistently challenging the established titans of the sport like Ford and Citroen.
This lovely marriage between man and machine has help Hyundai to claim podium finishes. Yes, some of you young ones may even argue that Hyundai has toppled the giants with the force of a K-pop megahit, but this kind of success isn't just measured in polished trophies, but in the respect the brand has earned from their competitors and regular folks like you and me.
The brand has changed and you need to as well
But I suspect the carmaker already knows that, since Hyundai N's involvement in the WRC means that much more for the brand as a whole. In a way, Hyundai has managed to shed the monotonous image of regular everyday cars and replaced it with one that's passionate and pure. Someone even told me Hyundai N is like that nerdy kid with glasses who was constantly ignored but has now grown up and embraced leather jackets and is now the life of every party.
So the next time someone asks you about South Korea, "Hyundai!" should be the first thing that comes to mind. It's the symbol of the country's tenacity and perseverance, a reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places, and a warning to other well-established brands that Hyundai N can be more exciting, more entertaining and sure as hell more enthralling.
It's almost normal that K-pop sensation BLACKPINK as well as kimchi come to mind whenever you think of South Korea. Ask around, ask anybody what comes to mind when they think of South Korea and no one will say, "Hyundai!"
But that may well change.
Because of the Hyundai N's - the carmaker's high-performance arm - incredible involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the land of Oppa Gangnam style (Yes, I come from a different era) has been tearing up dirt from the earth for two decades now. Best of all, the brand is leaving its competitors in its dust.
The best things in life aren't for free
The Hyundai N i20 rally car is a sight to behold As with everything worth committing to and fighting for, this Korean cap of excellence didn't come easy. Hyundai, a brand that's synonymous with budget-friendly family sedans, has undergone a radical transformation, and more so in recent years.
It's like the brand went to the gym regularly every day, pumped iron, and suddenly emerged as a brawny and compelling contender in the auto business. Yes, it could be a Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS conqueror on the track, but the Hyundai N brand is more than just your regular fast car that can make your heart miss a beat, because nothing showcases Hyundai's newfound prowess quite like its involvement in the WRC.
Here, the South Korean carmaker showcases the unwavering commitment to the motorsport, with clever engineering of innovation as well as technological advancement to the Hyundai i20 cars that are involved in the race. Such a small and understated car makes the Hyundai brand comes across as a charming underdog, one that deserves credit for creating a new paradigm for enthusiasts all over the world.
Hyundai N certainly knows how to put on a show Truth be told, I've never had a soft spot for rallying. If I had to choose, I would choose Formula One (F1) over WRC, but that's also because F1 is a sport that's more accessible to us Singaporeans. Best of all, I always thought that F1 drivers were at the pinnacle of racing, until I caught WRC in the flesh in Sardinia, Italy.
The insane speeds that require skilful control of the cars (and on slippery, muddy ground, no less), the fearless manoeuvres and the smell of intoxicating adrenaline mixed with burning adventure - it's the automotive equivalent of watching a bullfight on steroids.
And based on what I saw, Hyundai N knows how to put on a show.
The hardest part is always at the beginning
Hyundai has invested heavily in the WRC sport Of course, what we're talking about is the present. It was quite different in the past, it seems. Considering Hyundai has always been a brand that's better known for reliable cars, and not tyre-shredding monsters, its entry into the WRC was met with scepticism. Plus, mind you, it's not exactly a cheap sport to enter.
According to a spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Company, millions of dollars have been invested into the motorsport. From drivers and cars, to marketing and sponsorships, the brand letter has been heavily invested in. Thankfully, Hyundai proved naysayers wrong. Hyundai N quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, storming through the rally stages and different markets with the sort of ferocity that resembles a caged Siberian tiger that has finally been unleashed.
Credit goes to the engineers for their wizardry, because underneath the hood of the Hyundai i20 rally cars lies a potent combination of power and driving dynamics. The Korean pocket rocket has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that sends its output to all four wheels, which can catapult itself from 0 to 100km/h faster than you can say "Kimchi".
Engineers working hard to make sure the rally car is ready for the next race But I reckon it's more than just power that sets Hyundai N apart from its peers. I mean, the Toyota GR performs just as well, and it's hard to fault either one when it comes to motorsports. However, from what I've seen with my own eyes, it's Hyundai's unwavering commitment to excellence and perfection that makes the brand that much more special than the fellow next door.
The guys at the service parks, for instance, push the boundaries of what's possible, squeezing every ounce of performance and perfection out of their machines - and all within a time frame that seems physically and mentally impossible to people like you and me, and arguably half the population on Earth.
45 minutes. 45 minute is all they get to service and repair the rally cars. There are three servicing times on a race day. Morning, afternoon and evening. And it's all fine and dandy if the cars did come back in one piece. The challenge is when the car comes back after a crash, like one of the three Hyundai N cars I saw during the noon service.
And I thought F1 was hard...
Getting there is easy, maintaining is hard
Due to tight time contraints, even the driver of the rally car is involved in the repairs Thankfully, the results speak for themselves. During my time at WRC 1 in Sardinia, Italy, Hyundai was in the first and third position, with Ford taking up the second position.
Now that I'm back in Singapore, drinking my scotch and writing this to you, Hyundai N came in first and second place. It proves that the South Korean carmaker has been on a meteoric rise in the WRC, consistently challenging the established titans of the sport like Ford and Citroen.
This lovely marriage between man and machine has help Hyundai to claim podium finishes. Yes, some of you young ones may even argue that Hyundai has toppled the giants with the force of a K-pop megahit, but this kind of success isn't just measured in polished trophies, but in the respect the brand has earned from their competitors and regular folks like you and me.
Over 5,000 people were at one spot of the WRC race - all waiting eagerly for the cars to pass by You'll have to understand that getting podium finishes may be hard, but maintaining the same sort of finishes requires a tad more than just discipline. It requires consistency and that's crucial for Hyundai because consistency opens up a lot more doors and options for the brand.
The brand has changed and you need to as well
But I suspect the carmaker already knows that, since Hyundai N's involvement in the WRC means that much more for the brand as a whole. In a way, Hyundai has managed to shed the monotonous image of regular everyday cars and replaced it with one that's passionate and pure. Someone even told me Hyundai N is like that nerdy kid with glasses who was constantly ignored but has now grown up and embraced leather jackets and is now the life of every party.
The rally car getting prepared for the next race And he couldn't have expressed it better. Hyundai has injected the much-needed dose of entertainment and excitement into the brand, proving that underdogs can always triumph against all odds with the right mindset and commitment.
So the next time someone asks you about South Korea, "Hyundai!" should be the first thing that comes to mind. It's the symbol of the country's tenacity and perseverance, a reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places, and a warning to other well-established brands that Hyundai N can be more exciting, more entertaining and sure as hell more enthralling.
But that may well change.
Because of the Hyundai N's - the carmaker's high-performance arm - incredible involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the land of Oppa Gangnam style (Yes, I come from a different era) has been tearing up dirt from the earth for two decades now. Best of all, the brand is leaving its competitors in its dust.
The best things in life aren't for free
It's like the brand went to the gym regularly every day, pumped iron, and suddenly emerged as a brawny and compelling contender in the auto business. Yes, it could be a Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS conqueror on the track, but the Hyundai N brand is more than just your regular fast car that can make your heart miss a beat, because nothing showcases Hyundai's newfound prowess quite like its involvement in the WRC.
Here, the South Korean carmaker showcases the unwavering commitment to the motorsport, with clever engineering of innovation as well as technological advancement to the Hyundai i20 cars that are involved in the race. Such a small and understated car makes the Hyundai brand comes across as a charming underdog, one that deserves credit for creating a new paradigm for enthusiasts all over the world.
The insane speeds that require skilful control of the cars (and on slippery, muddy ground, no less), the fearless manoeuvres and the smell of intoxicating adrenaline mixed with burning adventure - it's the automotive equivalent of watching a bullfight on steroids.
And based on what I saw, Hyundai N knows how to put on a show.
The hardest part is always at the beginning
According to a spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Company, millions of dollars have been invested into the motorsport. From drivers and cars, to marketing and sponsorships, the brand letter has been heavily invested in. Thankfully, Hyundai proved naysayers wrong. Hyundai N quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, storming through the rally stages and different markets with the sort of ferocity that resembles a caged Siberian tiger that has finally been unleashed.
Credit goes to the engineers for their wizardry, because underneath the hood of the Hyundai i20 rally cars lies a potent combination of power and driving dynamics. The Korean pocket rocket has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that sends its output to all four wheels, which can catapult itself from 0 to 100km/h faster than you can say "Kimchi".
The guys at the service parks, for instance, push the boundaries of what's possible, squeezing every ounce of performance and perfection out of their machines - and all within a time frame that seems physically and mentally impossible to people like you and me, and arguably half the population on Earth.
45 minutes. 45 minute is all they get to service and repair the rally cars. There are three servicing times on a race day. Morning, afternoon and evening. And it's all fine and dandy if the cars did come back in one piece. The challenge is when the car comes back after a crash, like one of the three Hyundai N cars I saw during the noon service.
And I thought F1 was hard...
Getting there is easy, maintaining is hard
Now that I'm back in Singapore, drinking my scotch and writing this to you, Hyundai N came in first and second place. It proves that the South Korean carmaker has been on a meteoric rise in the WRC, consistently challenging the established titans of the sport like Ford and Citroen.
This lovely marriage between man and machine has help Hyundai to claim podium finishes. Yes, some of you young ones may even argue that Hyundai has toppled the giants with the force of a K-pop megahit, but this kind of success isn't just measured in polished trophies, but in the respect the brand has earned from their competitors and regular folks like you and me.
The brand has changed and you need to as well
But I suspect the carmaker already knows that, since Hyundai N's involvement in the WRC means that much more for the brand as a whole. In a way, Hyundai has managed to shed the monotonous image of regular everyday cars and replaced it with one that's passionate and pure. Someone even told me Hyundai N is like that nerdy kid with glasses who was constantly ignored but has now grown up and embraced leather jackets and is now the life of every party.
So the next time someone asks you about South Korea, "Hyundai!" should be the first thing that comes to mind. It's the symbol of the country's tenacity and perseverance, a reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places, and a warning to other well-established brands that Hyundai N can be more exciting, more entertaining and sure as hell more enthralling.
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