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Hyundai R5 completes debut asphalt test
Kevin Abbring sampled Hyundai's i20 R5 car for the first time on asphalt during a four-day mixed surface test in the south of France last week.
In warm early spring weather, the Dutchman spent two days behind the wheel on gravel roads at the Fontjoncouse test facility, assessing chassis and suspension developments following testing there last month. The car was then converted to asphalt set-up for two more days' work.
The team evaluated a revised cooling system behind a redesigned front bumper and bonnet and the car was powered by an upgraded engine.
Hyundai Motorsport's Andrew Johns emphasised the importance of multi-surface testing for the car, which will be available to customers after homologation scheduled for the summer. It will be eligible for the WRC 2 support category in the FIA World Rally Championship.
"They will need to be able to rely on the Hyundai i20 R5 to be equally competitive on the gravel and Tarmac surfaces so it is important that we prepare for that during this testing phase at the same time as we increase the reliability and performance," he said.
Johns also confirmed that a private Italian team had become the first to buy an i20 R5, placing an order for two machines.
