Hyundai seems to have big plans for N.
Hyundai’s N performance car line is attracting a lot of attention. Hyundai’s N performance line of cars is designed to compete with Ford RS and Volkswagen R brands. It emphasizes driving dynamics. In 2017, the i30 N hot-hatch was introduced. This was followed by the Veloster in the U.S., and Korea this year. The next is the i30 Fastback N. We don’t know what else is coming but Hyundai is already thinking about it.
Although the company is considering a standalone N model, details are still not clear. Autocar suggests a two-seat sportscar or a four-door sporty offering, similar to the Kia Stinger GT.
“Right now we don’t have a halo vehicle in N. We need to get into a routine with N vehicles and not just hit the peak,” Albert Biermann told Autocar. This is the stage where we need to be consistent. This is the stage where we need to be cautious with our initial success, and what we do next. It is important not to set unrealistic expectations. This i30N was the exact opposite.
The company’s current focus is to build on the success of its N products, introduce a new N Line trim and get new customers into showrooms across the globe. Hyundai will need a range of vehicles that can be used as brand ambassadors for any halo N offerings it develops if it decides to go ahead with a standalone N model.
Hyundai has not yet provided a timeline, as they don’t often talk about future product plans. However, there are rumors that Hyundai could allow an unannounced N model to be built in the next few months. It could be the standalone N model, or something else like the midengined hatch Biermann confirmed that the company is still developing.
We will have to wait and see what Hyundai does, just like most things in automotive industry. Hyundai is currently evaluating N models for several of its current products. The performance division is off to a great start with the i30N hatch and Veloster N. The company isn’t going to rest on its laurels yet.