The 2017 WRC season will see a new set of regulations applied, which will increase the importance of aerodynamics and mechanical grip as well as engine power.

As a result, apart from taking part in the regular season, Hyundai has taken on a testing programme for the newly-built car this year.

The team will kick off the season with an unchanged driver line-up as Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo both signed new contracts committing them to the Korean manufacturer until the end of 2018.

Although Thierry Neuville was strongly linked with a move to Citroen, the Belgian eventually re-signed at Hyundai as well for another two years.

“We are heading into a new era for the sport with the biggest change to the regulations for some time," said Hyundai team principal Michel Nandan. "It’s a great new technical challenge and one that we have tackled with enthusiasm.

"It’s an opportunity to put into practice everything we have learned and experienced in the past three seasons. All teams are starting from scratch so we are on equal footing.

"Having finished in second position in 2016, we want to demonstrate our ability to fight for the Championship in 2017 – and we are confident the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC will help us do just that.”

Hyundai returned to the WRC as a factory team in 2013, and the team enjoyed its most successful season to date in 2016 as it took second in both the drivers' championship with Neuville and the manufacturers' standings.