

2025.01.22 Hyundai Motorsport Team
The word “rival” carries a unique resonance. It’s not about an adversary to be defeated but rather someone you compete with, fueled by sincerity and respect, sharing a common vision. Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing are fierce competitors in one of the most prestigious global motorsports events—the World Rally Championship (WRC). Over countless battles, they’ve developed not only mutual respect but also a deep understanding of each other.
On October 27, 2024, Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing joined forces to host the Hyundai N × Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival at Yongin Speedway in South Korea. This event was a celebration of motorsports culture, showcasing the thrills of racing with each brand’s competition cars and high-performance production models. Collaborative events like this are exceedingly rare in the automotive world, but Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing share a genuine commitment to creating fun-to-drive vehicles and advancing the spirit of motorsports.
The festival roared to life with a Track Day, a cornerstone of high-performance car culture. A track day provides a safe and exhilarating environment for enthusiasts to test their cars’ limits and connect with fellow automotive fans. This particular track day was exclusively for Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing customers, and watching the two brands’ flagship models tearing up the track together was electrifying.
The event also offered a host of activities around the circuit, impressing attendees with its focus on motorsports and a forward-looking vision. For instance, Hyundai N unveiled its cutting-edge RN24 at their booth. Dubbed a “rolling lab,” this vehicle serves as a test bed for high-performance technologies, embodying Hyundai N’s innovative spirit.
The RN24 delivers the driving dynamics of a WRC car under the concept of a “compact, lightweight high-performance EV.” It’s built on a skeletonized frame for weight reduction and equipped with the drivetrain from the IONIQ 5 N. An e-handbrake system, capable of locking the rear wheels using regenerative braking, makes it a drift enthusiast’s dream.
Other highlights included Hyundai’s hydrogen hybrid N Vision 74 and the record-breaking IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, which set a new standard for modified electric SUVs at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Together, these vehicles showcased Hyundai N’s bold vision for the future of performance cars.
Toyota Gazoo Racing brought its own forward-thinking concepts to the table. Showcased at their booth were the ORC Rookie GR Corolla H2 Concept, powered by liquid hydrogen, and the AE86 H2 Concept, a hydrogen-engine adaptation of the iconic Sprinter Trueno (famously known from Initial D). These vehicles represent Toyota’s vision for a hydrogen-powered future.
Having Hyundai’s N Vision 74 displayed alongside Toyota’s hydrogen-engine concepts underscored a shared mission: accelerating the adoption of hydrogen energy in the global automotive market. As rivals on the world stage, Hyundai Motor Group and Toyota are leading the charge toward a cleaner, sustainable future.
The festival also catered to WRC fans with special exhibits and interactive events. A highlight was the fan meet-and-greet session, where attendees could get up close with drivers for autographs. Even more remarkable was the open Service Park, where fans could watch the meticulous maintenance of WRC rally cars—a rare privilege in the world of motorsports. Typically, the service park is a restricted area where cars are repaired, and drivers prepare for the next stage. At this festival, however, attendees had a front-row seat to witness the action, making the experience unforgettable.
Visitors could test-drive Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing vehicles in a simulated Sim Racing setup at the “WRC Game Zone” and explore iconic WRC rally cars on display in the “WRC Exhibition Zone.” Each brand also featured exclusive merchandise at their booths, making it easy for motorsports fans—or even newcomers—to dive into the excitement of the WRC.
The event’s main program began with an unforgettable performance drive, featuring Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda. The show opened with Toyota’s GR Yaris Rally 1 Hybrid taking a dazzling lap before rolling onto the main stage. As the car doors swung open, the crowd erupted in applause as the two chairmen stepped out and greeted the audience together.
Chairman Chung expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “When I met with Chairman Akio earlier this year, we discovered our mutual passion for racing, and I was delighted that we could hold this event. With our high-performance N brand, we're committed to delivering excitement and satisfying all car enthusiasts. We'll continue to push forward in motorsport alongside Toyota so that more people can enjoy the thrill of driving.”
Toyoda began his speech with “Saranghaeyo!” (meaning “I love you” in Korean) and continued, “Earlier this year, I met with Executive Chair Chung in Japan, where this idea gained momentum, and remarkably, we were able to realize this event just ten months later. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported making this event possible. Toyota and Hyundai will work hand in hand to create a better society and the future of mobility.”
The spotlight then shifted to the drivers, a lineup featuring some of the best talent from both brands. Representing Hyundai N were 2024 WRC leader Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo—who recently broke the production electric SUV record at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec—and Andreas Mikkelsen, who rejoined Hyundai Motorsport GmbH this year.
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s team included Akio Toyoda himself, racing under his pseudonym “Morizo,” as well as current WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta, team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, and nine-time Japan Rally Champion Norihiko Katsuta—Takamoto’s father.
The Show Run that followed was a thrilling display of driving artistry. Drivers from both teams alternated turns, showcasing their skills in a high-octane back-and-forth that felt like a breakdance battle on wheels.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville kicked things off, masterfully drifting the IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec around the circuit. Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala responded with the GR Yaris Rally 1 Hybrid, laying down precision tire marks with a stunning “donut” maneuver. The friendly rivalry was palpable as each team pushed to outdo the other.
The crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch as Hyundai’s Dani Sordo roared onto the track in the RN24. This electric marvel tore through the course, delivering WRC-style drifts without the usual exhaust fumes. Equipped with a sound generator to mimic the roar of a rally car, the RN24 gave spectators the visceral audio experience of high-octane motorsports.
Toyota’s Norihiko Katsuta wowed the audience with a drift so controlled he opened his door mid-slide to wave at the crowd, earning thunderous applause. Not to be outdone, his son Takamoto matched his father’s flair with equally impressive maneuvers. Hyundai’s Andreas Mikkelsen closed out the run with an awe-inspiring trick: spinning his rally car repeatedly while maintaining forward momentum.
The final highlight of the day saw Thierry Neuville back on the track in his trusted i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid. For Neuville, this rally car isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a companion that’s tackled some of the WRC’s toughest terrain alongside him. With breathtaking speed and power, he executed a series of thrilling drifts, leaving no doubt that he was giving everything he had for the audience. His performance was as heartfelt as it was exhilarating.
Next came the much-anticipated Gymkhana competition, where drivers from both brands teamed up to race the Hyundai Elantra N(Avante N) and Toyota GR86 in a short, obstacle-laden course. This event was a crowd favorite, as it answered the burning question: “How fast could a world-class rally driver push my car?”
Despite a sudden rain leaving the track slick, the drivers handled the course with ease. They seamlessly transitioned between braking and acceleration in tight turns, while expertly using the handbrake to pivot through challenging sections. For drivers accustomed to snow, mud, and gravel, a wet track was a mere inconvenience. The performance underscored not only their skill but also the superior handling and agility of the featured vehicles.
The festival wrapped up with a Parade Lap, featuring dozens of vehicles—including rally cars from the Show Run and customer cars from the Track Day—all circling the track together. Leading the procession were Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, each driving signature models: Chung in the Ioniq 5 N Drift Spec and Toyoda in the GR Yaris Rally 1 Hybrid. As they drove, the chairmen paused to take commemorative photos with participants, creating a shared moment of connection and passion for cars and motorsports. It was a fitting end to a festival that celebrated the joy of driving and the collaborative spirit of two automotive giants.
The success of this festival was made possible by Hyundai’s steadfast efforts to grow motorsports culture in South Korea. Starting with the Hyundai Click Speed Festival (2003–2010), followed by the Korea Speed Festival (2011–2018), and now the Hyundai N Festival, Hyundai has spent over two decades fostering domestic motorsports through sponsorships and events. This foundation allowed them to host a festival of this magnitude. Adding to the event's goodwill, all ticket proceeds were donated to the Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA). This gesture reflects Hyundai and Toyota’s commitment to advancing South Korea’s car culture and supporting motorsports at a grassroots level.
As the festival closed, the attention of both Hyundai and Toyota’s rally teams turned to their next challenge: the FORUM8 Rally Japan, the final round of the 2024 WRC season. From November 21 to 24, 2024, both teams faced off on the rugged roads of Aichi and Gifu Prefectures of Japan. As a result, Hyundai accomplished Thierry Neuville's overall driver win. and the Manufacturer's Championship title was taken by Toyota, which flipped its score in the final round.
Hyundai’s journey to building better cars is fueled by motorsports, but it’s not a path they walk alone. It’s a journey made richer by the presence of rivals like Toyota—challenging, inspiring, and pushing each other to greater heights. As Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing continue to compete, they also continue to spread the joy of driving to more people around the world. Here’s to the future of this extraordinary rivalry—one that’s built not just on competition, but on shared passion and a mutual commitment to excellence.
By Minhee Ahn
Photography by Hyuk-soo Cho
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