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Jas Mangat's highly-anticipated Hyundai i20 R5 has landed in Uganda.
A monumental investment for the Pili Pili Rally Team driver, the car came with a hefty price tag of USD 284,000 (approximately UGX 1.030 billion).
Rally enthusiasts had been eagerly awaiting the new acquisition, especially since Mangat had hinted at the upgrade for some time.
Photos of the gleaming Hyundai i20 R5 have already made rounds on social media, causing quite the buzz.
The car has been dressed in the famous black and white livery, with the unmissable ‘Masons’ sticker on its side, and ‘Pili Pili’ on the front.
Furthermore, a video has surfaced, showcasing the branded car in a thrilling miniature test run at the Mansons premises in Kampala, amplifying the anticipation.
Mangat’s previous workhorse, the Mitsubishi Evo X, had increasingly become a point of concern, often at the most critical junctures, jeopardizing potential victories.
The Pearl of Africa Rally in May brought to the forefront the urgent need for an upgrade. Mangat, vying for his third consecutive victory, faced back-to-back challenges.
An injector pump issue first stalled his charge, and just as he was getting back into the race, trailing behind Yasin Nasser’s Ford Fiesta R5, an unexpected oil leakage proved to be the last straw.
Though Mangat had originally planned to showcase the new Hyundai i20 R5 during the Pearl of Africa Rally, logistical issues led to a delay in its arrival.
Hence, he had no choice but to once again rely on his trusty yet faltering Mitsubishi Evo X.
The game, however, is set to change. With the powerful Hyundai i20 R5 now at his disposal, Mangat is set on a revitalized pursuit of the esteemed Africa Rally Championship (ARC).
Currently placed second with 44 points on the ARC leaderboard, he’s only 12 points behind the chart-topper, Yasin Nasser, and leading over Kenya's Karan Patel, who trails with 30 points.
The stakes are high and the stage set as Mangat gears up to debut his new rally marvel during the fourth round of the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) in Burundi from August 18-20.
About the Hyundai i20 R5
The Hyundai i20 R5 is a rally car built by Hyundai Motorsport and based upon the Hyundai i20 road car. It is built to R5 regulations.
The i20 R5 made its competitive début at the 2016 Tour de Corse, where it was driven by Kevin Abbring and Sebastian Marshall.
In terms of design, the R5 is based on the motorsports-inspired i20 N hot hatch. It features the same reinforced chassis as well as the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design philosophy.
Aside from the five-speed sequential transmission, it carries the same 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the i20 N, but it produces more power than the standard road-spec version with the drive sent to all four wheels.
Hyundai i20 R5 Car Specifications:
Engine Location: Front
Drive Type: AWD
Weight: 1230.143 kg
Year of Production: 2021
Power: Turbocharged Straight 4
Displacement: 1600 cc | 97.6 cu in. | 1.6 L.
Power: 290 BHP (213.44 KW) @ 5000 RPM
Torque: 324 Ft-Lbs (440 NM) @ 4000 RPM
Valvetrain: 16 DOHC (4 valves per cylinder)
Construction: Aluminum block and head
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