AS THE recognition of Hyundai’s sporty N and N Line fashions continues to develop globally – and an growing variety of ‘N’ variants come on-line – the query surrounding the way forward for the all-internal-combustion-powered vary was one GoAuto thought was effectively value asking.
The Korean producer has already demonstrated eager progress within the hybridisation and electrification of its mainstream line-up, in addition to proving its capabilities throughout hydrogen gas cell know-how with its Nexo SUV.
With the model committing to a hydrogen gas cell model of every mannequin in its vary by 2028 – together with a 500kW sportscar with 600km of vary it’s co-developing with Rimac – the potential for an alternate powered N vary is one that could be nearer than we would suppose, even “inevitable”, Hyundai says.
Chatting with GoAuto on the latest launch of the i20 N and Kona N, Hyundai Motor Firm Australia (HMCA) head of product and future enterprise group Andrew Tuitahi stated the model understands that to be able to proceed providing efficiency fashions in markets with tightening emissions requirements, it might want to research the usage of different driveline applied sciences whether it is to have a future.
“The largest markets for efficiency automobiles – the markets that love efficiency automobiles – are the markets which have strict emissions laws. Vehicles just like the i20 N, i30 N, and Kona N make it tougher for these guys to hit their emissions targets, and so some type of electrification or alternate powertrain will quickly be required,” Mr Tuitahi defined.
“It’s inevitable. It’s going to need to occur to be able to see the sort of efficiency and enjoyable that we attribute to our N merchandise proceed, nevertheless it’s actually robust in the meanwhile to say which of the applied sciences out there to us will lead the cost, so to talk.”
When requested if a hydrogen-powered N automobile was a chance, Mr Tuitahi stated that it was “technically attainable”, however recommended that no agency resolution had but been made on which alternate energy supply was most popular.
He stated that improvement engineers had a variety of “initiatives” in progress, and that the following few years have been sure to disclose a elementary shift within the varieties or efficiency fashions out there to Hyundai consumers.
“We’re sort of blessed in our group (Hyundai-Kia) to have so many choices out there that would make their manner right into a N product. We are able to scale from gentle hybrid tech, via to standard hybrid tech, to plug-in hybrid and full electrical, and sure, even hydrogen. Any of these issues are attainable, and virtually all of them would work in an N automobile,” he stated.
“In fact, I can’t be express about what the following N automobile would function underneath the bonnet, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly going to occur – and I feel that’s fairly thrilling.”
Earlier than then, Hyundai will proceed to ramp up the variety of N and N Line fashions provided in its vary, with Mr Tuitahi suggesting nothing is off the desk. The i20 N and Kona N might be joined subsequent month by the i30 Sedan N, the Kona additionally receiving a sporty N Line makeover in latest weeks.
GoAuto requested Mr Tuitahi if different SUV fashions could be thought of proper for “N-ification” in the identical spirit as Kona, and if a Tucson N or Santa Fe N could be thought of for markets with a thirst for high-performing household haulers.
“To go down that line with an N product, I imply something and every thing is feasible. The fellows which are engaged on our N fashions are the sort of staff that can discover each possibility. It’s been a case the place they’re frequently brainstorming totally different concepts – even a few of the concepts we’ve recommended regionally – then seeing if there’s a viable enterprise case available,” he stated.
“If I do know these guys, they’ve in all probability already constructed one thing and had a play to see if it’s possible or not, and whereas I can’t let you know precisely the place we’re going with N from right here, I can say that there’s undoubtedly some thrilling future N merchandise within the works – and I’m loopy excited for it to reach.”
