The sports division of the Korean automaker intends to maintain the production of sports models with internal combustion engines. However, not all markets will be in favor of this.
Before we start rejoicing prematurely, there is one big but. At the end of last year, Albert Biermann, Hyundai’s executive technical advisor, revealed that keeping N models with internal combustion engines in Europe would be a very difficult task, which might not be possible. And all this because of the Euro 7 emission standard…
For the European market, it currently looks like the new generation of the i20 N model could survive from the N models, whose 1.6 T-GDI engine should also survive the upcoming Euro 7 emission standard. The situation is worse with the Kona N and i30 N models, where it has a 2.0 T-GDI engine.
The Czech representation of the brand already confirmed in December of last year that the N model is not included in the new generation of Kona, while the sports version of the N will survive for the upcoming facelift of the i30 model. The smallest i20 model will also receive a facelift in 2023. In the case of both models, it will be more about design changes, the engines do not expect any modifications, which is positive news at the moment.
In the world, Hyundai has a somewhat freer hand and intends to take advantage of it. Till Wartenberg, vice president of Hyundai N Motorsport, revealed that the automaker will offer sports models with internal combustion engines for as long as possible.
“We would like to cover customer demand until the time when the regulations allow it. We don’t want to forget cars with a combustion engine either. We will have several cars with an internal combustion engine and at the same time we will switch to electrification. We certainly don’t say no to internal combustion engines,” Wartenberg said.
However, the sports division of the Korean automaker will soon introduce the first electric car in the N family, namely the Ioniq 5 N model. “The Ioniq 5 N is a size and weight limit that makes circuit sense. It’s pretty powerful, but we’ll talk more when it’s official. You can come to the Nürburgring and do a few laps without much degradation, which, with some exceptions, not many electric cars can do.” Wartenberg explained the sporty capabilities of the soon-to-be-launched Ioniq 5 N.
