Hyundai Elantra N TCR previews hot sedan
Race car set to inspire wild upcoming i30 Sedan N road carHyundai Motorsport has launched its third racer that will compete in the international TCR race series, with the drapes coming off the Hyundai Elantra N TCR.
Expanding beyond the Hyundai i30 N TCR and the Veloster N TCR, Hyundai said it went to the trouble of spinning off a race version of its latest small sedan for markets that don't offer the i30 hatch or Veloster coupe.
According to Hyundai, the three racers now "ensure maximum relevance to customers around the world".
Like the others, the Elantra N TCR was tailored for the track by Hyundai's Customer Racing Department.
As well as virtual modelling and time spent in the wind tunnel, the little Elantra N TCR has been subjected to 5000km of flat-out testing on European race tracks.
Claimed to benefit from the know-how accrued with the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR's development, the Elantra racer gets a huge front splitter, wider front and rear fenders and an imposing fixed rear wing that's supported by a large underbody diffuser.
Hyundai hasn't explicitly confirmed it, but the wild overhaul will reportedly inspire the road-going Elantra N (that will be renamed the i30 Sedan N for our market), hinting that the small sedan will also sport an outlandish body kit with functional aerodynamic aids.
Under the bonnet, the Elantra N TCR features an identical powertrain to the i30 N TCR that means the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder will be limited by TCR regs to 250kW and 410Nm, combined with a six-speed paddle-shift sequential manual.
With a minimum weight of 1265kg, the Hyundai Elantra N TCR still offers explosive performance and, with its new aero, could eclipse its siblings for lap times.
Hyundai Motorsport has announced testing will resume for the Elantra N TCR but deliveries are set to begin before the end of 2020.
Already spotted testing in Germany, the Hyundai Elantra N road car will be renamed the i30 N Sedan, tying a closer link to the i30 N hatch and i30 N Fastback.
Set to touch down in early 2021, it's expected to get a development of the current Hyundai i30 N hot hatch’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (202kW/378Nm).
Priced under $50,000, the i30 Sedan N will be pitched as an affordable alternative to the Audi S3 ($65k).
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