Hyundai could have simply revealed its second electrical N efficiency automobile, however that doesn’t imply petrol energy is useless at its go-fast division.
“We aren’t limiting ourselves into EV,” Hyundai N boss Joon Park instructed UK outlet Automotive.
“However that is some type of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, as a result of Ioniq 5 N was an enormous message for your complete automotive trade. And lots of people thought, and assume, that Hyundai N goes in the direction of solely EV. It’s not true.
“We aren’t specializing in EV solely. We aren’t. I’m not the one that really actually likes the EV. I’ve at all times favored the scent and the sound and all these sorts of race automobiles.”
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Hyundai has discontinued its petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N sizzling hatches in Europe, however they proceed to be produced for our market.
Furthermore, Hyundai additionally has the i30 Sedan N – aka Elantra N and Avante N – for markets akin to Australia, South Korea and North America.
The i20 N and i30 N could also be useless in Europe, however they’re reportedly set to be reborn, with Automotive reporting phrase from Mr Park that his engineers are engaged on a hybrid-powered alternative for the recent hatches.
They’ll nonetheless be accessible to punters, too, in contrast to the Ioniq 5 N, which is greater than twice as costly in Australia as even the priciest i30 N.
“Hyundai N needs to be reachable. We really need to play with our buddy teams, with a proper-priced automotive and reachable worth automobiles – we’re not speaking a couple of luxurious unique automotive,” he stated.
“We’re speaking in regards to the Hyundai N stage. In that case, the place ought to we go? The place no one else is present anymore, apart from [the VW Golf] GTI.”
Hyundai axed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe in 2024, and on the time stated this was “in step with our dedication to providing a zero-tailpipe-emission lineup to our prospects by 2035 and to working 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045”.
“The discontinuation of i20 and i30 N was a catastrophe for me. However it takes time to have a brand new one,” stated Mr Park.
He steered it will be more durable work getting an i20 N alternative authorized on condition that, sometimes, the smaller the automobile the smaller the revenue margins.
He stated the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the i30 N received’t seem in a successor mannequin… at the very least not in Europe.
“I’m answerable for the worldwide market. Europe is just not going to be simple,” he stated.
“The two.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That can’t exist anymore based mostly on the present regulation and future regulation.”
Whether or not Hyundai might hold the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine of the i20 N alive with electrification is unclear. A model of this engine already options in hybrid crossover SUVs from the model such because the Tucson and Santa Fe.
Hyundai has by no means supplied a hybrid N mannequin. It now has three separate petrol-powered N fashions – the i20 N, i30 N, and i30 Sedan N/Elantra N/Avante N – in addition to two electrical ones within the Ioniq 5 N and the just-revealed Ioniq 6 N.
The Korean automaker is planning a major growth in hybrid gross sales.
Per a plan introduced final August, it needs to promote 1.33 million hybrids yearly by 2028, a rise over 40 per cent in contrast with its world gross sales plan from the earlier 12 months.
To that finish, it’s launching a brand new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that’s debuting within the next-generation Palisade giant SUV.
Hyundai has already confirmed the i30 Sedan N will transfer to a 2.5-litre turbo 4, up from a 2.0-litre. That seems to open up the opportunity of hybrid energy for that mannequin, although the sports activities sedan has by no means been offered in Europe.
Along with standard hybrids, Hyundai additionally affords plug-in hybrids (although none are offered right here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electrical automobiles (EREVs) that incorporate a petroleum engine used as a generator.
It’s unclear whether or not Hyundai would develop N automobiles with this expertise, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain just like the retro-styled N Imaginative and prescient 74 idea.
Growth of Hyundai N automobiles is centred in Europe, together with the brand new Magma efficiency automobile line for luxurious model Genesis.
“There’s been a lot innovation at Rüsselsheim and a few main funding. Our new constructing opened a few months in the past, and it provides us a lot extra risk, and permits us to develop EVs,” Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Heart managing director Tyrone Johnson instructed Automotive.
“We’re going to be growing our personal merchandise in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma merchandise might be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing might be developed in Korea.”
Australia is a serious marketplace for Hyundai N automobiles.
Whereas VFACTS trade gross sales stories bundle the i30 N with the remainder of the i30 lineup, we all know precisely what number of i20 Ns are offered right here as a result of Hyundai doesn’t supply any non-N i20 variants.
To the tip of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this 12 months. That’s greater than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), each of which supply a variety of variants.
