UK-based engine and drivetrain developer Ricardo has deepened its existing technical partnership with Hyundai Motorsport (HMSG ) and will now be responsible for the development of the transmission for the team’s upcoming hybrid WRC machinery.
The new collaboration builds upon a successful five-year partnership between Ricardo and the Korean manufacturer on the Hyundai i20 R5, which featured a 5-speed sequential gearbox and differential units designed and manufactured by Ricardo.
Martin Starkey, managing director of Ricardo Performance Products Division, said, “I am pleased that Ricardo has been selected by Hyundai Motorsport to provide the hybrid driveline for their next-generation 4WD WRC car, following our extremely successful collaboration on the i20 R5 which is now being extended into Rally2.
“Ricardo has extensive experience in the field of top tier, traditional and electric-powered motorsport, and 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.”
As HMSG’s technical partner in developing the new hybrid 4WD transmission, Ricardo says it will draw upon its extensive experience of electric motorsports, together with its longstanding pedigree in World Rally Championship transmissions and drivelines.
Working exclusively with HMSG in World Rally Championship, Ricardo will support Hyundai in the development of the new hybrid transmissions, which will be designed, manufactured and assembled at the Ricardo Performance Products facility in Leamington Spa, UK.
