Hyundai has unveiled that the very first automobile from its N performance department will debut in 2017. Consulting with Autocar, N brand manager Albert Biermann, who left BMW M in 2014 for Hyundai’s performance performance, has told that the i30 (Elantra GT in North America) will be the first car to obtain a high-performance variation. However, the automobile will be likely based on the next-generation hatchback considering that the current-generation is not in its way of production.
Recently, Hyundai announced that it was going into three cars in this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, one of which was a development prototype called the i30 2.0 T that includes performance upgrades made by the N performance division. In addition to the development vehicle, Hyundai also got in a Veloster Turbo and an i30 1.6 Turbo, which is the defending champion after achieving its class in 2015.
Under the hood of the future i30 N will probably be a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Biermann also told that the vehicle could have a leading speed of 155 miles per hour and it might be provided with a package that might have an increase in engine output together with bits to improve its performance on the track. Talking about price, Biermann stated that the vehicle will be affordable as cost is part of the N department’s focus. A manual gearbox will come standard where as an automated version shows up a year later.
Biermann also suggested that all-wheel drive might be possible as one of the future versions which Hyundai will go into different worldwide markets with its N division, which hopefully consists of the United States. Once it goes on sale, the i30 N will be competing against the the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
