Hyundai could have simply revealed its second electrical N efficiency automobile, however that doesn’t imply petrol energy is lifeless at its go-fast division.
“We aren’t limiting ourselves into EV,” Hyundai N boss Joon Park advised UK outlet Automotive.
“However that is some form of tendency after we launched Ioniq 5 N, as a result of Ioniq 5 N was an enormous message for all the automobile 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 truly actually likes the EV. I’ve all the time 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 scorching 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 comparable to Australia, South Korea and North America.
The i20 N and i30 N could also be lifeless 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 must be reachable. We truly need to play with our buddy teams, with a proper-priced automobile and reachable value automobiles – we aren’t speaking a few luxurious unique automobile,” he stated.
“We’re speaking in regards to the Hyundai N stage. In that case, the place ought to we go? The place no person 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 “consistent 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 might be tougher work getting an i20 N alternative permitted provided that, usually, 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 gained’t seem in a successor mannequin… at the very least not in Europe.
“I’m answerable for the worldwide market. Europe will not be going to be straightforward,” he stated.
“The two.0-litre turbo engine for 280PS [206kW]… That can’t exist anymore primarily based on the present regulation and future regulation.”
Whether or not Hyundai might maintain 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 provided 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 big enlargement 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 international gross sales plan from the earlier yr.
To that finish, it’s launching a brand new 2.5-litre turbo hybrid powertrain that’s debuting within the next-generation Palisade massive 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 potential of hybrid energy for that mannequin, although the sports activities sedan has by no means been bought in Europe.
Along with standard hybrids, Hyundai additionally presents plug-in hybrids (although none are bought right here presently) and is rolling out extended-range electrical autos (EREVs) that incorporate a petroleum engine used as a generator.
It’s unclear whether or not Hyundai would develop N autos with this expertise, or with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain just like the retro-styled N Imaginative and prescient 74 idea.
Improvement of Hyundai N autos 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 Middle managing director Tyrone Johnson advised Automotive.
“We’re going to be growing our personal merchandise in Europe. All [Genesis] Magma merchandise will likely be developed in Europe, for the world – nothing will likely be developed in Korea.”
Australia is a significant marketplace for Hyundai N autos.
Whereas VFACTS trade gross sales studies bundle the i30 N with the remainder of the i30 lineup, we all know precisely what number of i20 Ns are bought right here as a result of Hyundai doesn’t supply any non-N i20 variants.
To the top of June, Hyundai has delivered 723 examples of the i20 N in Australia this yr. That’s greater than the Skoda Fabia (164) and Volkswagen Polo (401), each of which provide a variety of variants.
