Hyundai’s N Performance Sub-Brand details released
While a specific roadmap for Hyundai’s upcoming high-performance N Division remains a closely guarded secret, especially as it pertains to the U.S. market, our first look at the 2018 Hyundai Kona crossover in South Korea also gave us the opportunity to receive a few more lines of information on the project, and to read between them.
Firstly, the hatchback sold as the i30 in Europe and Korea, which is essentially our 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT, will be the first N-branded model when it debuts at the Frankfurt auto show in September. This, we knew before. However, Albert Biermann, N-Division boss and overall head of Hyundai’s vehicle testing and high-performance development, confirmed for us that that car will not see American soil, saying only that the U.S. will get its own model sometime next year, and that it may be an even wilder creation.
“We promise you will be happy (with it),” he told a gaggle of international journalists.
From that we can only assume he’s referencing the Hyundai Veloster, seeing that the funky three-door hatch is due for a redesign on the i30/Elantra’s front-wheel-drive platform, and we’ve already spied it testing in camouflaged N getup. Although Biermann stonewalled us on any further questions regarding such a vehicle, its similarities with the i30 make it a sensible and tantalizing move.
From what we know about the i30 N, a Volkswagen GTI-hunting Veloster would be propelled by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making about 250 horsepower in base trim and around 280 with an optional performance package. A six-speed manual would be the only transmission choice, although Biermann doesn’t rule out N-tuned dual-clutch automatics down the road. Other key bits would include a track-capable suspension setup, high-performance summer tires, a throaty performance exhaust, bodyhugging sport seats, and an optional electronic limited-slip differential. As with the i30 N, this Veloster also would feature upgraded performance brakes, just not fancy Brembo units so as to keep costs reasonable. A competitive bang-for-the-buck with a focus “not on the finish line but how you get there” will be a hallmark of future N cars, Biermann told us.
Hyundai had a couple of camo’d prototype i30 Ns on hand for brief test drives around the handling course at its Namyang proving grounds. But the press-handlers declined to let the American journalists in attendance join the throngs of international folks in getting a chance to see firsthand how the car behaves on a race track, so we still haven’t driven one.