Latest news with #ElantraN
Car and Driver
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Takes Aim at the Honda Civic Type R
Hyundai is bringing out a special-edition Elantra N in Canada to celebrate the company's TCR series wins. The Elantra N TCR Edition features a big wing and upgraded brakes, and it's only available by special order. There's not much stopping the Elantra N TCR Edition from coming to the United States too. In 1983, Hyundai began its first sales in North America with the humble Pony—a 70-hp, four-door hatchback. This was not a new strategy, as Honda had also used Canada as a test market with the S600 in the 1960s, long before the N600 arrived in the United States, and Mazda had done likewise with the rotary-powered R100. While the U.S. and Canada have very similar automotive markets, sometimes the latter sees automakers dipping their toes in the water before diving in on a larger scale, and if Hyundai Canada's latest offering is anything to go by, an enthusiast-focused special could be in the future for south of the border. It's called the Elantra N TCR Edition, and it's basically the 911 GT3 of Hyundais. Starting out with the already excellent Elantra N, Hyundai has added forged wheels and upgraded front brakes via four-piston monoblock calipers. There's also a truly massive swan-neck adjustable rear wing as a calling card. Hyundai Inside, the TCR is swathed with Alcantara touch points, periwinkle blue seatbelts, and a host of other cosmetic upgrades. Though it is available in limited quantities and must be specially ordered, Hyundai Canada will still allow you to pick between a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission, as well as four exterior colors (two fewer than the standard Elantra N). Speaking of which, the TCR Edition doesn't get any more power than the regular Elantra N, so that's 286 horsepower in overboost mode from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That's plenty, and Hyundai's N products are all about offering chassis capability that allows drivers to extract every bit of speed that a turbo four can provide. Adding upgraded brakes and a bit more aero should mean that this version of the Elantra is capable of setting faster lap times. Hyundai Last month, Hyundai claimed its fifth straight TCR class victory at the Nurburgring 24-Hour race, finishing first and second on the podium. The effort included Canadian racing driver Robert Wickens, a former DTM and IndyCar driver who survived a life-altering crash at Pocono Raceway in 2018, yet has returned to top-level motorsports despite being paraplegic. The original Hyundai Pony was not a great car, and it actually became the butt of jokes north of the border, much like the Yugo did in America. Despite the shaky start, Hyundai has grown to become a world-class brand in both markets, and the launch of the TCR Edition Elantra in Canada just shows how confident the company is these days. Hyundai Priced about $3500 more than the standard Elantra N, the TCR Edition seems like a bit of a bargain for some genuinely motorsports-infused performance. There's no reason Hyundai's U.S. operations couldn't put a similar program into place, especially as the cars are special order only, and you wouldn't have to convince dealers to stock them. You can bet Hyundai USA will be watching how the TCR Edition sells in hoser-land. Here's hoping the U.S. gets it too. And if not, well, sorry, eh? Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
The Advertiser
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Hyundai: More petrol N performance cars coming, and they'll be affordable
Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. "We are not limiting ourselves into EV," Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. "But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. "We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. "Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car," he said. "We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI." Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was "in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045". "The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one," said Mr Park. He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. "I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy," he said. "The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation." Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. "There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs," Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. "We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea." Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants. MORE: Explore the Hyundai i20 showroom MORE: Explore the Hyundai i30 showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. "We are not limiting ourselves into EV," Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. "But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. "We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. "Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car," he said. "We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI." Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was "in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045". "The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one," said Mr Park. He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. "I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy," he said. "The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation." Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. "There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs," Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. "We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea." Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants. MORE: Explore the Hyundai i20 showroom MORE: Explore the Hyundai i30 showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. "We are not limiting ourselves into EV," Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. "But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. "We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. "Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car," he said. "We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI." Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was "in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045". "The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one," said Mr Park. He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. "I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy," he said. "The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation." Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. "There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs," Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. "We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea." Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants. MORE: Explore the Hyundai i20 showroom MORE: Explore the Hyundai i30 showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. "We are not limiting ourselves into EV," Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. "But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. "We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. "Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car," he said. "We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI." Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was "in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045". "The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one," said Mr Park. He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. "I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy," he said. "The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation." Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. "There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs," Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. "We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea." Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants. MORE: Explore the Hyundai i20 showroom MORE: Explore the Hyundai i30 showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Hyundai: More petrol N performance cars coming, and they'll be affordable
Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. 'We are not limiting ourselves into EV,' Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. 'But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. 'We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. 'Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car,' he said. 'We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI.' Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was 'in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045'. 'The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one,' said Mr Park. He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. 'I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy,' he said. 'The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation.' Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. 'There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs,' Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. 'We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea.' Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Hyundai: More petrol N performance cars coming, and they'll be affordable
Hyundai may have just revealed its second electric N performance vehicle, but that doesn't mean petrol power is dead at its go-fast division. 'We are not limiting ourselves into EV,' Hyundai N boss Joon Park told UK outlet Car. 'But this is some kind of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, because Ioniq 5 N was a huge message for the entire car industry. And a lot of people thought, and think, that Hyundai N is going towards only EV. It's not true. 'We are not focusing on EV only. We are not. I'm not the person who actually really likes the EV. I've always liked the smell and the sound and all those kinds of race cars.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches in Europe, but they continue to be produced for our market. Moreover, Hyundai also has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets such as Australia, South Korea and North America. The i20 N and i30 N may be dead in Europe, but they're reportedly set to be reborn, with Car reporting word from Mr Park that his engineers are working on a hybrid-powered replacement for the hot hatches. They'll still be accessible to punters, too, unlike the Ioniq 5 N, which is more than twice as expensive in Australia as even the priciest i30 N. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'Hyundai N has to be reachable. We actually want to play with our friend groups, with a proper-priced car and reachable price cars – we are not talking about a luxury exotic car,' he said. 'We are talking about the Hyundai N level. In that case, where should we go? Where nobody else is existing anymore, except for [the VW Golf] GTI.' Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and at the time said this was 'in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045'. 'The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a disaster for me. But it takes time to have a new one,' said Mr Park. Supplied Credit: CarExpert He suggested it would be harder work getting an i20 N replacement approved given that, typically, the smaller the vehicle the smaller the profit margins. He said the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N won't appear in a successor model… at least not in Europe. 'I'm responsible for the global market. Europe is not going to be easy,' he said. 'The 2.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That cannot exist anymore based on the current regulation and future regulation.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert Whether Hyundai could keep the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A version of this engine already features in hybrid crossover SUVs from the brand such as the Tucson and Santa Fe. Hyundai has never offered a hybrid N model. It now has three separate petrol-powered N models – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – as well as two electric ones in the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N. The Korean automaker is planning a significant expansion in hybrid sales. Per a plan announced last August, it wants to sell 1.33 million hybrids annually by 2028, an increase over 40 per cent compared with its global sales plan from the previous year. To that end, it's launching a new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that's debuting in the next-generation Palisade large SUV. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will move to a 2.5-litre turbo four, up from a 2.0-litre. That appears to open up the possibility of hybrid power for that model, though the sports sedan has never been sold in Europe. In addition to conventional hybrids, Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids (though none are sold here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that incorporate a petrol engine used as a generator. It's unclear whether Hyundai would develop N vehicles with this technology, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain like the retro-styled N Vision 74 concept. Development of Hyundai N vehicles is centred in Europe, along with the new Magma performance vehicle line for luxury brand Genesis. 'There's been so much innovation at Rüsselsheim and some major investment. Our new building opened a couple of months ago, and it gives us so much more possibility, and allows us to develop EVs,' Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center managing director Tyrone Johnson told Car. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'We're going to be developing our own products in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma products will be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will be developed in Korea.' Australia is a major market for Hyundai N vehicles. While VFACTS industry sales reports bundle the i30 N with the rest of the i30 lineup, we know exactly how many i20 Ns are sold here because Hyundai doesn't offer any non-N i20 variants. To the end of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this year. That's more than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), both of which offer a wide range of variants. MORE: Explore the Hyundai i20 showroom MORE: Explore the Hyundai i30 showroom
Auto Blog
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Hyundai Says Nobody Wants Manual Gearboxes Anymore
According to Hyundai's European technical chief Tyrone Johnson, the manual gearbox is not dying — it's already dead. In a recent interview with Car Magazine, the longtime Ford and Jaguar performance engineer declared, 'Nobody wants manual gearboxes and handbrakes anymore, or analogue instruments.' As blunt as it sounds, the data and direction of the industry seem to back him up. Johnson now leads Hyundai's European development center in Germany, and he's not one to mourn the passing of what he sees as outdated tech. From his perspective, the driving experience offered by EVs like the Ioniq 5 N has already surpassed most combustion-engine performance cars. And while some purists still seek out stick shifts for their engagement and mechanical tactility, Johnson argues those drivers are now the exception, not the rule. Source: 2025 Hyundai Why the Manual Is Disappearing It's not just consumer preference steering the shift. Developing a car with both manual and automatic options introduces engineering complexity and cost — particularly in an era of increasingly sophisticated driver assistance systems and global emissions targets. Automatic transmissions, especially modern dual-clutch and CVT systems, often outperform manuals on efficiency tests. With fewer people opting for the third pedal, the investment simply doesn't make sense. Even Hyundai's own enthusiast offerings reflect this shift. In the U.S., the Elantra N's manual take rate was just 30% last year — still higher than average, but not enough to reverse the trend. And as these models disappear from the lineup, the list of new cars even offering a manual continues to shrink. Johnson also highlighted how modern buyers — especially those under 40 — expect digital interfaces and seamless tech integration. Traditional gear levers, handbrakes, and needle gauges are being phased out in favor of electronic selectors, drive-by-wire systems, and fully digital dashboards. Even performance models like the Ioniq 5 N now feature fake gear changes and synthetic engine sounds to simulate the sensations of traditional driving. What Replaces the Experience? Hyundai's electric N cars include a feature called N e-shift, designed to replicate the feeling of an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It's a software-driven system with paddle shifters and artificial powertrain noise piped through the speakers. Johnson says it's not nostalgia, but sensory feedback — vibrations, engine sounds, gear transitions — that help drivers feel connected to the machine. 'You can do some really clever things,' he added, pointing to the pace of EV development and the expanding role of software in suspension tuning and performance behavior. Whether this approach resonates with enthusiasts is another matter. For those still chasing that old-school feel, there are still affordable options, but they're dwindling fast. The gap between what enthusiasts want and what the broader market will buy is only growing. The Future of the Gear Stick Johnson doesn't buy into the narrative that performance cars are in decline. 'If you want to go fast, there's nothing better than an EV,' he told Car. That said, he's aware of the emotional appeal of a manual — the sense of control, the raw connection — but insists that EVs are advancing at a rate combustion cars never could. And as more manufacturers prioritize global platforms and digital experiences, the manual transmission risks becoming less a driver's choice and more a collector's quirk. For now, manuals survive in pockets of the market, often thanks to enthusiast demand or brand tradition. Some of the best stick-shift cars of 2025 still make a strong case for the format, even if they're no longer mainstream. But as Johnson's comments suggest, the real question may not be whether manuals are worth saving — it's whether the industry can afford to keep them around at all. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
