Hyundai Motorsport is Built to Conquer

While on route to the 2024 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, we made a quick pit stop to tour Hyundai’s Motorsport GmbH headquarters just outside Frankfurt, in Alzenau, Germany.

For those unfamiliar, this is brand’s headquarters for all things racing. As a former solar panel glass manufacturing facility, the 16,000-metre square (172,223 sq ft) structure is a maze of different segments and sections cobbled together. Hyundai Motorsport GmbH currently employs around 250 staff from over 30 nations and is the birthplace for all things race cars, from idea to conception.

The brand’s most well know motorsport endeavour is easily rally racing, specifically the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Having been involved since 2014, Hyundai won the manufacturer’s titles in both 2019 and 2020. The history of rally dates back earlier than 2014 though, and some historic examples were on display at the facility.

The manufacturer also likes to highlight many firsts, such as being the first factory team to include hybrid technology in a WRC car. Hyundai states it takes about 3-4 years to develop each new generation of WRC car. Everything is done inhouse during the development period. The design, creating, and testing of parts from the engine to the chassis to the bodywork happens at the Alzenau headquarters.

Everything Hyundai Motorsport GmbH has learned thus far is poured into the team’s latest creation, the i20 N Rally1 Hybrid. Featuring a 380 hp turbocharged gasoline engine. It’s accompanied by an electric motor that makes 150 hp and can propel the car up to 20 km on all electric power. Each engine is hand built and could make much more power, but are restricted by FIA regulations

The all-wheel drive (AWD) system has mechanical differentials front and rear, but no active center differential. Currently the car uses Pirelli tires, such as 235/40R18 P-Zero tires for tarmac rallies, or 205/65R18 Pirelli Scorpion tires on a gravel course. Next year things are set to change though, as Hyundai is moving over to Hankook.

Hyundai Motorsport GmbH does more than just rally. The brand is also a big presence in the TCR Touring Car series, hence our trip to the Nürburgring 24hr race. Hyundai first dabbled in TCR with the i30, the brand’s first N model. Later, the car of choice was changed to the Veloster N, which has since given way to current Elantra N TCR.

TCR cars start as production shells and run standard engines that have been taken apart and put back together at tighter tolerances. A larger turbocharger from the Hyundai family of products is also added, which allows for significant increases in power over their road-going counterparts.

Building TCR-spec cars isn’t a wholly straight forward affair as they can differ depending on purpose. Cars designed for sprint races are less equipped whereas endurance TCR cars get features like ABS, quick refuel, and a stronger alternator to power light bars at night.

To say Hyundai has been successful in TCR would be an understatement, although technically, Hyundai as a company hasn’t been the actual victors. The manufacturer’s TCR efforts are for customer cars that feature factory support, as opposed to a full-fledged factory effort.

For a few years, Hyundai was also a big presence in eTCR series, which as the name suggests was an electric touring car series. Sadly, it was discontinued due to lack of interest from enough other brands. Hyundai is using some of what the manufacturer learned through those efforts, and is redirecting it towards the Ioniq 5 N TA set to tackle Pikes Peak next month.

Although no one can predict the future with 100% accuracy, we’re willing to bet Hyundai Motorsport GmbH will find success on the Colorado mountain as well.

For a few years, Hyundai was also a big presence in eTCR series, which as the name suggests was an electric touring car series. Sadly, it was discontinued due to lack of interest from enough other brands. Hyundai is using some of what the manufacturer learned through those efforts, and is redirecting it towards the Ioniq 5 N TA set to tackle Pikes Peak next month.

Although no one can predict the future with 100% accuracy, we’re willing to bet Hyundai Motorsport GmbH will find success on the Colorado mountain as well.