Who: Hyundai
What: A hot hatch in a sedan body
When: Late 2021
Why: South Korean brand is expanding its performance family
Hyundai introduced its new TCR racer this year based on the i30 Sedan (or Elantra as it’s known in overseas markets). Now comes the road-going version, with the i30 Sedan set to join the i30 N in an expanding family of hot hatches from the South Korean car makers.
The car itself is no surprise, and has been expected ever since the announcement of the TCR entry based on the four-door sedan, but these are the first images we’ve had of the car undisguised ahead of its launch.
Like the race car used in both the World Touring Car Cup and the IMSA series, the i30 Sedan N borrows heavily from the existing i30 N hot hatch. Under the surface it will use the same 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine as the hatch and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But, in this case, it’s what’s on the outside that matters. The i30 Sedan appears to have been given an aggressive makeover. As seen in the two official pictures, there are 19-inch rims wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, unique aerodynamic side skirts and at the back there’s a TCR-style rear wing.
Till Wartenberg, vice president of N brand Management & Motorsport, said the i30 Sedan N – or Elantra as he puts it – will be a worthy addition to the N range that will soon include the i30 N, i20 N and Kona N.
“Elantra N is a high-performance sedan that reveals the sportier side of our exceptional all-new Elantra through exciting N brand enhancements,” Wartenberg said. “We designed it to be a race-proven sports car with dynamic driving capabilities and style that performance enthusiasts love. I can’t wait to unveil Elantra N, an outstanding addition to the N brand lineup that offers pulse-pounding performance. Stay tuned for the digital world premiere.”
Hyundai says the covers will come off completely “in the coming weeks” and it should be in local showrooms alongside the i30 N hatch before the end of 2021.
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