The Hyundai Elantra N has long been coming, and now, the Korean carmaker has finally taken the wraps off the full-blown performance version of the Elantra globally. The Hyundai Elantra N shares a lot of its underpinnings with the Hyundai i30 N hot-hatch and is even called the i30 N sedan is some markets like Australia. The car we see here is based on the latest seventh-gen Elantra, which is yet to go on sale in India.
- Hyundai Elantra N is powered by a 276hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine
- 0-100 kph sprint takes just 5.3sec in N Grin Shift mode
- Elantra N shares its underpinnings with the i30 N hot-hatch
Hyundai Elantra N: engine and performance
This being a performance sedan, let’s start with what’s under the hood. The Hyundai Elantra N is powered by the familiar 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that also does duty on other N performance cars such as the i30 N and the Kona N. Here on the Elantra N, this engine has a 5mm larger turbine wheel and it belts out 276hp and 392Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to either an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox, driving the front wheels.
Hyundai has very interesting names for the drive modes on the Elantra N – N Grin Shift, N Power Shift, and N Track Sense Shift – like in other N models with DCTs. In the N Grin Shift mode and with launch control, the boost pressure from the engine in increased, taking power output up to 285hp, which gives the Elantra N a 0-100 kph sprint time of 5.3sec. It also comes equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential that Hyundai very interestingly calls the ‘N Corner Carving Different.’
Hyundai has utilised its WRC expertise, with the Elantra N getting with a WRC-inspired integrated drive axle that integrates the drive shaft, wheel hub and the bearing, helping reduce weight by 1.7kg and also improving lateral grip. To further aid performance, the Elantra N gets electronically-adjustable suspension. It works alongside a dual-compound trailing arm bush to optimise the ride and handling balance while also minimising NVH levels.
Braking performance comes from 360mm discs at all four corners with Hyundai’s own high-friction material pads, which as per the carmaker, has proven to be exceptionally durable. To help cooling of the brakes, Hyundai has even designed a cooling duct on the front fascia with a brake air guide structure. The Elantra N also gets four-point strut rings and rear stiff bars for additional structural rigidity.
One of the coolest party tricks of the Elantra N is its N Sound Equalizer feature that artificially pumps engine sound into the cabin and can even mimic the sound of a TCR race car. In fact, it offers a host of adjustability where drivers can tune the whine, throat and bass through the equaliser. The car features a variable exhaust system that cracks and pops as other Hyundai N models.
Hyundai Elantra N: exterior styling and interior
The new-generation Elantra already boasts of a wedge-shaped stance and edgy, razor-sharp styling, which means Hyundai didn’t have to make radical changes even for the full-blown N model. It still gets a heavily re-worked front bumper with larger air intakes, a new splitter and plenty of blacked-out design bits. The window line gets a gloss black finish, and the model also gets new side skirts. At the rear, the fixed rear wing looks really cool along with the twin exhaust tips and a rear diffuser. The bespoke 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero rubber look particularly attractive as well.
The interior of the Elantra N is mostly similar to the standard sedan, but there are few key changes. The biggest update is an N model-specific steering wheel with mounted controls and an updated infotainment system that displays performance specific things such as oil and coolant temperatures as well as torque and turbo pressures. The instrument cluster also features sportier graphics and even gets a dedicated lap timer. The seats have also been upgraded with reinforced bolsters. Customers further have the choice to opt for bucket seats that sit 10mm lower.
Hyundai N Performance: India launch plans
Currently, Hyundai has no plans of bringing its full-blown N performance models to India anytime soon. However, as reported by us earlier, Hyundai will debut its N performance brand in India with a few N Line models first. In fact, the Hyundai i20 N Line has already been spied testing on our roads on a few occasions and is expected to launch in the market in the coming months.
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