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Hyundai unleashes a crucial engine upgrade at Rally Portugal, aiming to challenge Toyota's dominance in the World Rally Championship. This development could reshape the competitive landscape as Hyundai seeks to regain lost pace with its i20 N Rally1 car.
After struggling to match Toyota's performance, which has secured victories in all five rounds this season, Hyundai has been refining its vehicle's setup. Key enhancements focus on dampers, geometry, and differential interactions, implemented during the recent Croatian event. Ahead of Portugal, Hyundai confirms its final engine homologation adjustment, promising a modest power boost to counteract recent fuel specification changes.
Sporting director Andrew Wheatley describes the upgrade as incremental but beneficial. “The intake system has been modified to give a little bit more power,” Wheatley states, emphasizing the tight regulations limiting significant changes.
Hyundai drivers, including Thierry Neuville, show confidence after a strong shakedown performance, with Neuville clocking the fastest time. While he acknowledges the unpredictability of rally conditions, he believes this is the first event where they can genuinely compete at the front. With rain expected, the stage is set for an exciting showdown in Portugal.
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