Not every carmaker is focusing on electric vehicles. There are still some brands out there that are focused on internal combustion engine vehicles, and not just as afterthought drivetrain options. Hyundai is one of those carmakers.
Hyundai is not just making new gas-powered N cars, but is also working on a new engine for them. This engine will be tested at this year’s 24-hour Nürburgring next month. Hyundai’s Elantra N1 RP race cars will compete in the SP4T class with a prototype version of the engine.
This is something Hyundai has done before. In 2016, Hyundai tested a prototype of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Theta four-cylinder engine at the Nürburgring, which launched later that year. It became the engine for the 2018 i30N subcompact hot hatch. I mean, it’s a surefire way to test the endurance and performance of an engine, that’s for sure. Most of us won’t be driving 24 hours straight.
Hyundai teases new engine with powerful video
We actually don’t know a lot about this upcoming engine. Hyundai has teased it a bit, however, saying that it’ll be more powerful and more responsive than the current 2.0-liter turbo four. It will also pass stricter emissions requirements.
In a mysterious video titled “A New Era Begins,” Hyundai gave car enthusiasts a listen. You can hear the raspy engine start up, and each gear shift sounds a bit breathy and clattery. You can also hear the exhaust rush in the background if you listen hard enough. Direct injection? That would explain the promise of elevated performance and lower emissions. It’s not much to go by, but it sure sounds exhilarating. Especially when most reveals we’ve been getting lately are silent luxury EVs. This sounds like fun.
The video also shows the engine for a few seconds, but we can’t see much as it’s lifted into the race car. There’s a turbocharger, but that’s no surprise. It’s not much, but it still had an emotional impact on drivers: “I am so happy that I chose Hyundai N as my car, and I am so happy to see Hyundai hasn’t given up on petrol heads like the Nthusiast. I am excited for the 24-hour race to see it.”
This is definitely something to be excited about. The Hyundai Elantra N is an often overlooked sporty car that truly celebrates enthusiasts. It handles turns with surprising ease, feeling precise and responsive. It doesn’t apologize for being focused on the road ahead, with slightly uncomfortable seats and a sharp, aggressive styling. And, as the reviews will tell you, it sounds great. And it does all that for under $40,000.
Here’s to hoping that Hyundai’s new engine will sound and perform even better. As more automakers switch to oversized, overpriced electric SUVs, we need these more affordable and fun cars to shake up the industry a bit. And with the right engine, it can.
Said Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Benoit Nogier: “The pair of Elantra N1 RP not only shows the international footprint of Hyundai’s racing profile in its driver line-ups but also the importance of the race to the manufacturer as a proving ground for the next generation of technology for both road and race cars.”
