Hyundai i30 CRDi Tames The Wild West

SYDNEY – Sept 2, 2010: The Hyundai Motor Company Australia backed i30 CRDi has taken on the Quit Targa West 2010 rally to finish second in its class and fourth overall in a category filled with more powerful competitors.

The multi-award winning i30 CRDi turbo diesel competed within the ‘Challenge Modern’ category, up against performance cars such as an Audi RS4, Nissan GTR35s and a Ford Mustang Cobra.

Even with the category speed limited to 130km/h the smaller engine capacity of the i30 put it at a substantial disadvantage against cars with over twice as much power at their disposal. With final results of a second place in the class ahead of the RS4, and an overall fourth place in the Challenge Modern Category the feisty i30 CRDi proved it takes more than power to perform well in the west.

Australia’s most popular and highest selling diesel passenger car was the only diesel in the Quit Targa West 2010 rally and was also the most fuel efficient and economical in the line up. Despite the pressures of competition, the i30 achieved amazing fuel economy, recording an average of 7.1 l/100km over the course of the event.

i30’s quality and reliability meant no major service or repair works were completed during the 3-day event with only standard daily maintenance required.

“As always, the reliability and dependability of the i30 CRDi meant I could concentrate on the demanding course,” said Hyundai’s team driver Razvan Vlad. “The class was very competitive with the other drivers all in fast performance cars capable of much quicker acceleration than us, and they were pushing it.”

The rally took in some of the most picturesque countryside in the Perth region including the infamous Zig Zag stage which was run three times during the event. For the first time the race finished in the CBD with a spectacular stage run along the Swan River Foreshore and providing spectators with an opportunity to really get close to the rally action.

“We really enjoyed this rally. We also tried to put on a good show for the spectators and consistently set top three times in each stage over the entire weekend,” said Vlad.

Hyundai’s 2010 entry was a collaborative initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, supplying the vehicle, and the Western Australian Hyundai Dealer network, which supported the event with technicians and a professional race support team.

“This year the class was very competitive and very fast, however, the i30CRDi again showed it is a performance powerhouse and that fuel efficiency, and reliability are what’s required to take on the wild west,” said Heinz Wiesner, Hyundai’s Regional General Manager.

Hyundai’s i30 CRDi has had strong results in the 2010 rally season with a class win and a Targa Trophy in Targa Tasmania earlier this year, and a string of excellent results throughout the 2010 Australian Rally Championship (ARC) series including consistent class wins at each event it has competed in. The i30 has firmly established itself as a tough and consistent performer.