Hyundai Is Bringing Back Its Entry-Level Performance Formula
The Hyundai i20 N didn’t top the horsepower charts or break the bank, but it nailed the fun factor and came in at a price that didn’t require a second mortgage. It’s often regarded as Hyundai’s answer to the Volkswagen GTI – and honestly, they weren’t wrong.
With a turbo, a six-speed stick, and a proper limited-slip diff, the i20 N is a true driver’s car. But just as it was hitting its stride, Hyundai pulled the plug in 2024, thanks to stricter emissions rules.
That move left Hyundai’s N lineup looking pretty thin – just the Elantra N in a few places, and the wallet-busting Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N for those who like their performance with a side of electrons. Sure, the EVs are impressive, but they’ve sent the price of entry for an N badge into the stratosphere. Now, Hyundai says it’s ready to bring back the affordable fun.
Confirmed: A New Affordable N Model Is Coming
Hyundai execs have spilled the beans to Autocar – a new entry-level N car is officially in the works. According to global R&D chief Manfred Harrer, the brand needs to bring back a budget-friendly performance machine because the chasm between old-school N cars and today’s pricey EVs is just too wide.
“We need this entry-level back for our fans,” Harrer said, adding that Hyundai is working to make it happen “sooner rather than later.”
Harrer also specifically stated that “an i20 N for Europe is a must,” while noting that prototypes are already undergoing testing. According to him, the launch is “not so far out.”
Hyundai’s keeping the specs close to the chest for now, but the execs are dropping hints. You can expect hybrid tech working with a 1.6-liter four-pot mill. The aim, of course, is to bring back the i20 N’s fun factor, just with cleaner emissions.
Coincidentally, Hyundai just pulled the wraps off the next-gen i20 in Brazil. It dons a new look – think more crossover, with a taller stance, chunkier styling, a bigger digital cockpit, and all the most recent tech toys.
Hyundai
Could America Finally Get an i20-Based Performance Model?
That’s the big question. The i20 has always been a no-show in the US, and Hyundai isn’t promising anything different yet. Still, the latest hints have the rumor mill churning. The Brazilian-market i20’s new crossover vibe could finally make it palatable for American buyers – if Hyundai decides to roll the dice.
Hyundai’s on a roll in the States, especially with hybrids and sporty models. Dropping an affordable, gas-powered N car into the mix would give younger gearheads a way in – especially now that rivals like Ford have bailed on the small hot hatch game.
For now, all we know is that an affordable N car is coming back, with Europe first in line. Will America get a taste? That’s still up in the air. But if Hyundai really wants to make N more than just a badge for pricey EVs, sending a compact performance crossover across the Atlantic may well be the ticket.
Hyundai
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