Bigger brother

If Hyundai’s WRC car looked out of place on public roads, it’s nothing to how its 2017 replacement is going to seem when Rally Oz rolls back around in November. Sweeping rule changes are being implemented to make WRC significantly faster, more powerful and look even wilder, as the FIA strives to make the sport more exciting and attract more fans. Dramatic aero with larger wings, wider hips and lower front splitters, plus the return of electronically controlled centre diffs, will bring higher cornering speeds and slash stage times, while changes under the bonnet will see power outputs increase by almost a third. Capacity remains the same at 1.6 litres, but a less intrusive air restrictor for the turbo means outputs will read 284kw/450nm, up 60kw/50nm. There’ll be new manufacturers too, with former heavyweight Toyota returning after an 18 year absence with its Yaris WRC challenger, pictured right.