Hyundai i30 Green Diesel wins class QUIT Targa West rally 2008

19 September 2008 · posted by Staff

The Hyundai i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel production car won its class within the ‘Modern Challenge’ category at the 2008 QUIT Targa West tarmac rally.
The Modern Challenge category had 12 starters, which included a number of Porsche competitors, an Aston Martin Vantage and a Nissan Skyline R34 GTR. The i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel finished 7th overall.

The i30 completed all 31 stages, running consistently through them all. During one of the stages on the second day, the car hit a tree damaging a rear door and exposing the side impact protection bars – but was able to continue on. In the end the i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel finished 4 minutes 43 seconds ahead of the Porsche 911 Targa to clinch the class trophy.
“We really enjoyed driving the i30 Green Diesel,” said Razvan Vlad, the W.A. based driver who works for an environmental monitoring company. “The production standard Australian suspension and steering set-up suited my driving style, allowing us to take some corners at the 130 kph speed limit.”

The entry was the result of a joint venture initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, which supplied the car, and the Western Australian Hyundai Dealer network, which supported the event with technicians and a professional race support team.

“We entered the Modern Challenge looking to finish the 220 km of special stages and show how a production i30 Green Diesel car can be fun to drive as well as economical,” said Heinz Wiesner, Regional General Manager. “Winning our category was an added bonus and I am really proud of the team’s effort.”

The production i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel was fitted with Genuine Hyundai Accessory alloy wheels and a rear spoiler and did not require any modifications apart from semi-slick tyres, upgraded front brake pads and safety equipment. The rally allowed the i30 to prove its performance and chassis dynamics in tough conditions.

The i30 CRDi is winner of two highly acclaimed automotive green awards – Carsguide’s ‘Green Car of the Year’ 2007 and ECOCAR’s ‘Best Small Car’ 2008 – as well as Carsguide’s ‘Car of the Year’ 2007. Now it has one more trophy to put in the cabinet.

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