Hyundai launched the Elantra N sports sedan in North America, packing 286 HP with an overboost function and a track-bred suspension.
Over the past few months, the Korean manufacturer spent considerable time in R&D, honing its N-performance lineup to attract new enthusiasts. The Elantra N will be the first of its planned models to kickstart the campaign in the US.
The Elantra N’s racing-derived cues and features are apparent right from the get-go. The front fascia is dominated by razor-sharp LED headlamps and a large matte black grille with the N-logo. An aggressive splitter complements the design with vents on either side, plus a red pinstripe extending the bodywork length.
The sporty theme continues on the sides with unique 19′ wheels exposing red calipers, side skirts, and sharp body lines that stretch to the back. The design converges at the three-bridged rear spoiler in true N-fashion and features an end-to-end taillight strip with the Elantra N badging. The design is finally topped off with a diffuser highlighting the twin LVE (Linear Variable Exhaust) pipes.
So, sports car styling? Check. What about performance? Well, I’m glad you asked. Underneath its racy exterior, the Hyundai Elantra N is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that belts out 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. The PU can be hooked to either a 6-speed manual with rev-matching or a 7-speed DCT with exclusive N features.
Moreover, the N-Grin Shift can crank up the output to 286 hp for 20 seconds, aptly putting a visible grin on your face. There are other ‘N’ features, too, like the N-Power Shift and N-Track Sense Shift, which keep the engine in the right power band without sacrificing torque on the track.
Hyundai also fitted an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) at the front to continuously monitor power and improve grip levels on each tire based on the road surface. The Elantra N also gets a launch control system that catapults it from 0-60 mph in only 5 secs. For an added aural experience during a launch, the Linear Variable Exhaust System can close or open the exhaust valves and bring those pops and crackles to life.
Worth mentioning, the interior looks the part, too. The dash features a twin 10.25′ driver cockpit and infotainment system, and since it’s an N model, there are some sporty features as well. For starters, the standard seats were swapped for N-embossed racing bucket seats, mounted 10 mm lower to give the driver a more commanding seating position. Furthermore, N logos are also present on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Of course, to make it track-ready, Hyundai went for considerable improvements to the chassis and dynamics. Hyundai left no stone unturned as it redesigned the air duct and dust cap to keep unwanted dirt particles away and ensure sublime performance. Its rally-bred genes are also clearly visible with the inclusion of an Integrated drive axle, a four-point strut ring, and rear chassis bracing.
Overall, these components shave off 3.7 lbs and result in a 29% increase in stiffness over the standard model. With ‘Corner Rascal’ being the mantra for N models, the latest Elantra N is equipped with an electronic suspension with adjustable dampers & dual compound bushes, plus a Torque-MDPS steering system to attack any curve with absolute precision.
Hyundai hasn’t given details on an official launch yet, although it confirmed that 3 ‘N’ models and 4 ‘N-Line’ would make it to the US by the end of the year.
More details to come!
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