*NOW UPDATED WITH VIDEO* Hyundai goes performance mental at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with its new ‘N’ performance sub-brand, a Gran Turismo concept and its latest generation World Rally Championship contender
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Looks the nuts, doesn’t it?!
The latest in a long line of Gran Turismo vision concepts, the above marks the launch of Hyundai’s ‘N’ performance sub-brand, which aims to one day ‘develop future performance-oriented models’. A further nod to this initiative is the next generation i20 World Rally Championship – set to compete on next year’s WRC stage – that also makes its debut in Frankfurt.
Like the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, all future ‘N’ models are set to feature new powertrains and lightweight materials derived from the Korean firm’s rally program. Total power stands at 871hp, with the dual fuel cell stacks providing 670hp of this and the super capacitor system generating an additional 201hp via energy regeneration under heavy braking. Ultimate traction is delivered via four in-wheel motors, while a CFRP monocoque brings the overall weight down to 972kg. Though a prime initiative behind the N 2025 is aerodynamic efficiency, it’s the air blower’s turbine where things really go off the deep end: top spin lands at 200,000rpm.
Further nods to Hyundai’s performance programmes have been inaugurated into RM15 (code name ‘Racing Midhsip 2015’). The newboy features an aluminum spaceframe around which are clad stiff, carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) panels. Total weight is reduced to 1,260 kg – a saving of 195 kg compared to an all-steel structure – while 300hp-worth of power comes from 2.0-litre T-GDI engine mated with a six-speed transmission.
Oh, and if you’re wondering what the ‘N’ stands for, it rhymes with Schmuburgring…
