• Latest
  • Trending
‘More power than Group B’: Hayden Paddon unveils electric Hyundai Kona rally car

‘More power than Group B’: Hayden Paddon unveils electric Hyundai Kona rally car

November 4, 2020
Bamber and Dixon confirmed for Daytona 24 Hour

Bamber and Dixon confirmed for Daytona 24 Hour

January 16, 2021
Lawson to race for Hitech in Formula 2

Lawson to race for Hitech in Formula 2

January 15, 2021
Tom Alexander to make NZ GP start alongside mentor

Tom Alexander to make NZ GP start alongside mentor

January 15, 2021
Toyota unveil Le Mans Hypercar, Hartley confirmed in line-up

Toyota unveil Le Mans Hypercar, Hartley confirmed in line-up

January 15, 2021
TV3 confirm free-to-air highlights show for TRS

TV3 confirm free-to-air highlights show for TRS

January 15, 2021
Lawson set to race Ferrari in DTM

Lawson set to race Ferrari in DTM

January 15, 2021
Rare Shelby GT350R to make appearance at Historic GP

Rare Shelby GT350R to make appearance at Historic GP

January 15, 2021
Damon Leitch confirmed for NZ GP

Damon Leitch confirmed for NZ GP

January 14, 2021
Speed Works announce live Spark Sport broadcast deal for Toyota Racing Series

Speed Works announce live Spark Sport broadcast deal for Toyota Racing Series

January 14, 2021
AGP aiming to keep Supercars on support programme for November event

AGP aiming to keep Supercars on support programme for November event

January 14, 2021
Toyota reveals first images of new Le Mans Hypercar

Toyota reveals first images of new Le Mans Hypercar

January 14, 2021
Saturday, January 16, 2021
VelocityNews
Classifieds
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

‘More power than Group B’: Hayden Paddon unveils electric Hyundai Kona rally car

Photos: Graeme Murray

by Matthew Hansen
November 4, 2020
in New Zealand, Rally
4

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Tom Alexander to make NZ GP start alongside mentor

TV3 confirm free-to-air highlights show for TRS

Hayden Paddon and Hyundai New Zealand have revealed their fully electric Kona rally car — a comprehensively rebuilt, modified car that Paddon rates as “one of the top three achievements of my career”. 

While it isn’t the first electric rally car, it does claim to be the first electric rally car capable of competing in full-length rallying events. Built by Paddon Rallysport Group in conjunction with Austrian outfit Stohl Advanced Research and Development and the University of Canterbury, construction of the Kona rally car was scheduled to be completed in April earlier this year, but was delayed by the impact of Covid-19. 

The rally car features WRC-style aerodynamics with boxed arches and more. Paddon boasts that it produces more power than the iconic Group B rally cars of the 1980s. While power wasn’t specifically confirmed, PRG says it produces over 400kW from its electric powertrain. 

The Kona rally car can be driven in either a dual-motor, tri-motor, or quad-motor setting, with power being sent through a twin transmission. The Brusa-sourced BLDC motors create peak power of 220kW each, and up to 1100Nm of torque. To manage heat the Kona comes equipped with a custom cooling system, while power is managed via a MoTec M1 system with PDU interface.

Front and rear torque vectoring, Pirelli rubber (15-inch Evo Corse with gravel tyres or 18-inch Evo Corse wheels with tarmac tyres), and a bespoke MacPherson strut system with five-way adjustable dampers helps connect the power to the road. Despite its batteries, the Kona weighs approximately 1500kg.

“The car is faster on paper than an ICE car, has better weight distribution and is more reliable as there are fewer moving parts and the potential with the technology, electronics and design of the car is endless” said Paddon.

“The EV package is capable of over 800kW, but we have focused on building this car to have comparable power to a current ICE rally car and aim for it to be winning rallies against normal ICE competition from 2022. A lot of work needs to happen between now and then, and we are confident that EV technology is going to work in a normal rally environment.

“While for some of you this might just seem like just another car, I can tell you it’s much more. As a team we want to take PRG to the world stage to compete in world motorsport championships in the next 10 years. We are a small team of just seven people, which makes this feat […] even more satisfying.”

Paddon said when he first heard the idea of an electric rally car, he laughed. But, after some contemplation, he “saw a window of opportunity”. The former domestic champ now says electrification of the sport needs to be accelerated. “The sport of rallying needs to evolve, and it needs to evolve quickly before it gets left behind. And EVs are the solution,” he said.

“It’s a very proud moment for Hyundai New Zealand, and especially for Hayden. It’s something we’re really looking forward to,” added Andy Sinclair, General Manager of Hyundai New Zealand. 

“We went through the highs and lows of Hayden’s rally career. […] Personally, I think his WRC career isn’t over, there’s more to come. And this might be a sign of things to come.”

Sinclair went on to add that Paddon’s next project will be to build a hydrogen-powered rally car, likely similar to the brand’s Nexo model. 

“We were immediately behind [the project]. It fits behind Hyundai New Zealand’s vision. […] We knew it was a huge project, and we knew Hayden would deliver on it. We look forward to the next evolution, which is going to be a hydrogen rally car.”

Comments 4

  1. David Harrison says:
    2 months ago

    Congratulations to the entire team at Paddon Motorsport for the completion of this world class project.
    For such a small.team this project speaks volumes as to the talent and engineering prowess that will surely see the car featured on the world stage. Absolutely awesome Hayden and let’s see you return to WRC soon.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Hayden Paddon’s 400kW+ Hyundai Kona EV to make public debut at Battle of Jacks Ridge – VelocityNews
  3. Brent Thomas says:
    2 months ago

    Outstanding effort, pulling all the tech together and making it happen. Can’t wait to see it driven in anger.

    Reply
  4. Greg Edwards says:
    2 months ago

    I think this is a fantastic achievement, well done, hats off to all involved, especially Haydon, bloody awesum, get out there and smash it, congratulations.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Bamber and Dixon confirmed for Daytona 24 Hour

Lawson to race for Hitech in Formula 2

Tom Alexander to make NZ GP start alongside mentor

Toyota unveil Le Mans Hypercar, Hartley confirmed in line-up

TV3 confirm free-to-air highlights show for TRS

Lawson set to race Ferrari in DTM

Bringing you the latest motorsport news in New Zealand and around the world

Managing editor and publisher:
Mark Petch mark@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Matthew Hansen matt@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Alex Schultz alex@velocitynews.co.nz

Motor Racing Editor:
Zane Shackleton zane@velocitynews.co.nz

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • International
      • Formula 1
      • Formula 2
      • Formula 3
      • Formula E
      • Esports
      • Super GT
      • Super Formula
      • TCR
      • WEC
      • GT
      • Porsche Carrera Cup
      • BTCC
      • DTM
      • IMSA
      • IndyCar
      • NASCAR
      • WRC
      • MotoGP
      • Motorcycle Racing
      • Classic
    • New Zealand
      • Toyota Race Series
      • Toyota 86
      • Rally
      • Speedway
      • Drifting
      • Formula Ford
      • Formula First
      • TCR NZ
      • BNT V8s
      • V8 Utes
      • GTRNZ
      • ENZED CMC
      • Pirelli Porsche
      • Mazda Pro-7
      • NIERDC
      • SIERDC
      • SsangYong Utes
      • Kartsport
      • NZ General
    • Australia
      • Supercars
      • Super2
      • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
      • S5000
      • Australian GT
      • TCR AU
    • General
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Classifieds
    • Classifieds
    • Post Classified
    • Manage your listings
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.