According to many experts, Hyundai Motorsport is expected to announce by the summer that its time in the World Rally Championship is coming to an end. The Korean manufacturer previously stated that it will focus on the WEC circuit series in the future. This has been interpreted as the first major signal that Hyundai is preparing to exit WRC.
Of course, Toyota also competes in both WEC and the World Rally Championship, but Hyundai’s performance at the start of the season has been underwhelming. In three of the first four rallies, arch-rival Toyota secured maximum points. And the painful loss of what seemed like a certain manufacturers’ title in the final round of last season still likely stings within the Hyundai camp.
Hyundai’s technical director François-Xavier Demaison has spoken out regarding the 2027 regulations. The FIA announced at the end of last year that from 2027 onwards, the target price for top-category cars would be reduced to €345,000. These new WRC27 cars will replace the current Rally1 machinery, whose era will come to an end after next season.
The technical framework for WRC27 cars is expected to be finalised by August. Reportedly, the main concept is to continue using current biofuels, and for at least the 2027 season, traditional combustion engines will remain. Late last year, the FIA stressed that manufacturers would be allowed to base their rally cars on different models, as long as they conform to the current safety cell dimensions.
In the future, powertrain choice will also be free. Manufacturers will be able to equip their rally cars with internal combustion, hybrid, or fully electric power. However, it seems a fully open powertrain format will not be permitted right from the start.
“We would like to build a car for the future, but we’re not fully happy with the 2027 rules. I mean with the current rules, it’s difficult for us to make any decision. A full ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car is not really what a manufacturer like Hyundai is ready to promote through rally,” Demaison said to DirtFish.
“Drivetrain is the main issue. I mean, the rest we are quite OK. I think we all have to agree now that flexibility with the chassis and not having to start from, let’s say, a road car body shell, it gives more possibility and flexibility. I think we should try to have more diversity, that we don’t get the same cars, optimized just because of performance. So yes, we would be happy to see a bit different type of cars entering WRC and then, maybe a sort of equivalence of performance to allow everybody to be able to fight for wins.”
The potential issue isn’t just the use of combustion engines in 2027. According to Demaison, the problem is the FIA’s delays – which are now putting pressure on timelines. If a manufacturer can’t begin preparations for the 2027 season until a year in advance, that’s far too late.
“Another problem is ’27 is too early for us. I mean, not only for us. This car is a cost-cap controled car, which means the validation, the design process is much longer for this type of car. You design a car for full performance, but you also have to integrate the cost,” Demaison emphasised.
“So what would Hyundai want instead? We want more technology on the powertrain, and even more on the rest of the car, but it needs to be more than just a basic ICE car.”
Demaison underlined that outdated technology is virtually impossible to market.
“It’s difficult to ask Korean bosses to invest a lot of money in a championship where you can’t promote anything. Promoting your road car and your technology is something very important for Hyundai,” the WRC boss stated.
“We’ll not make any decision before we know where the WRC is going. So if the FIA believes that it’s important to have Hyundai in the boat (they need to change something).”
Peter Thul, sporting director for the WRC’s Promoter, remains optimistic that Hyundai will stay in the service park.
“I can only say, not talking about the details, that everybody is talking to each other and every idea is on the table – and the discussions are good,” Thul commented.
“I’m confident. I cannot speak on behalf of Hyundai what they are planning for the next years. But again, I’m confident.”
