Hyundai has been spied doing dynamic testing of a high performance variant of the Hyundai i30 at the Nürburgring, which aims to spearhead the introduction of the N-brand. Think of the N-Brand as the AMG of Hyundai. Adjustments to the high performance i30 include a lower suspension and additional instrument clusters, assumed to display the boost pressure of the turbocharged engine.
The hot Hyundai i30N is expected to arrive in 2017, and aims to rival the Volkswagen Golf R and the upcoming Ford Focus RS. Yes, you read that right. This is because whatever Hyundai does “has to be credible in the marketplace straight away, because the brand needs to build credibility.”
The WRC motorsport division of Hyundai is technically cooperating with the road -focused N-Brand to develop the new cars. The two branches are working closely together, exchanging development information and data. The WRC division deals with the calculations, while the road car division deals with observing what their cars do, and how they do it, ensuring consistent redevelopment and refinement.
“It’s not that you can transfer things from a rally car to a road car. It’s impossible. They’re completely different and it’s not for the same purpose. But in terms of technology, yes. For some materials and technologies, this can be done.”
This statement allows us to go to bed tonight, knowing that in the near future, Hyundai performance vehicles will be challenging the Germans, which will undoubtedly cause a stir in markets and motorsport. Especially in South Africa.
