Red-hot Hyundai Sonata N possible

[AVANTI R5]

Red-hot Hyundai Sonata N possible



The Hyundai i30 N hot hatch looks set to give the Volkswagen Golf GTI a dizzying uppercut to the chin, but the Korean brand’s go-fast treatment will not be limited to its small hatchbacks.

In conversation with Peter Schreyer, who oversees all Hyundai, Kia and Genesis design studios, the German-born creative genius behind the original Audi TT observed there is scope to extend Hyundai’s N performance brand far and wide.

As well as providing fast-paced variants of popular models – much as HSV is to Holden or AMG is to Mercedes – Hyundai’s desire to rival the Europeans is deep.

The end result would see Hyundai vehicles sporting more powerful engines, track-tuned suspension, bigger brakes and all the extra body work and interior appointments expected of modern performance cars.



The company showed its new-look Sonata Series II at the New York motor show, which itself presents a sportier new look and will go on sale in Australia in August.

When motoring.com.au singled it out as a potential candidate for N enhancement, Schreyer didn’t take a backward step.

“It’s not planned at the moment but theoretically I could imagine it yes,” said Schreyer of a Sonata N model.

“It would be fun to do,” grinned the man who brought Kia back from aesthetic oblivion and helped Hyundai achieve great success on a global scale.

“At the moment it’s a select group of cars [that get high-performance N treatment],” explained Schreyer, “but theoretically every model could have it, yes.”

Even the Santa Fe?

“Why not?! It’s not impossible to do something like this,” he said.



The Korean car design supremo, who pointed out there were several wild SUVs at the New York motor show, including the 527kW Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Hyundai’s N outfit is based in Namyang (hence the name) and led by former BMW M division boss Albert Biermann. The company has been caught testing a couple of crazy new high-performance models including an even hotter 300kW, all-wheel drive i30 RN, what appears to be a mid-engine Veloster and the i30 N, which will debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race in May.

When conventional cars are whacked with the high-performance stick, they frequently transform into very different looking vehicles. But Schreyer bristled when motoring.com.au suggested they might have more aggressive visuals.

“Why does it have to look more aggressive? N brand means to have better performance, it doesn’t mean aggressive design.

“People always combine performance with aggressive, but it should not be aggressive [looking]. A Porsche is one of the world’s fastest cars, [but] it’s not aggressive [looking] at all,” he stated.

“It’s about the way it fits with the performance of the car, and the N brand is about performance, it’s not about the design.”

The first cab off the rank from Hyundai’s N division will be the i30 N, which is tipped to pump out more than 200kW — almost double the output of regular versions of the new i30, which arrives in May.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[Skunkers]

Doooo eeeeeeeeettt. We need more hot cars in this segment, I think there's really only one at the moment?

[shake-rattle-n-roll]

throw a turbo six in there over the sport trim with an lsd and 340hp for a couple of grand more and ill swap out mine

[vapore0n]

I think it should have a more aggressive design to go with its sportier engine/suspension. Not crazy riced out aggressive, but something to distinguish it and make it look sporty. SS comes to mind. looks with handling and power to back it up.

[AVANTI R5]

Wild speculation followed the debut of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata ahead of the 2019 New York International Auto Show, but it's true: a racier Sonata N-Line is in the pipeline.

The South Korean automaker confirmed it will introduce a Sonata N-Line in 2020 with "over 275 horsepower," per Hyundai. The power figure is identical to the Veloster N, which features a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine. We've previously reported that the Sonata N-Line will feature a 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine.

The confirmation of a Hyundai Sonata N-Line also leaves the door open for a proper Sonata N in the future. Hyundai is keen to expand its performance offerings with a few nameplates rumored for the N-Line or N treatment.

We'll likely see more aggressive design elements such as a racier grille, perhaps a more sculpted rear fascia, and N and N-Line specific red accents inside and out. Although Hyundai hasn't ruled all-wheel drive out for the 2020 Sonata, Car and Driver reported Wednesday that the Sonata N-Line will almost certainly send power to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic. Aside from the power increase, a retuned suspension, larger brakes, and a tweaked exhaust system are all possible for the upcoming N-Line sedan.

2020 Hyundai Sonata
2020 Hyundai Sonata
We have high hopes for a Sonata N-Line since the man overseeing N vehicles and head of Hyundai research and development, Albert Biermann, formerly led BMW's M division. He's also helped make cars such as the Kia Stinger and Genesis G70 a reality—and true performance challengers.

We expect to see the Sonata N-Line this year or next.

[AVANTI R5]

Toss in some racier accents, N-Line badges and different wheels and you'll have your Sonata N-Line.

Hyundai Sonata N-Line Coming ‘Soon’ With 2.5-Liter Turbo Engine

So, you think the Hyundai Sonata is a tad frumpy in the powertrain department. Maybe the Honda Accord and its Civic Type R derived 2.0-liter turbo-four appeal more to your enthusiast roots. Well, I've got news for you: Hyundai has a Sonata N-Line on the way.

N-Line, the badge that denotes some of the most performance-oriented Hyundai vehicles aside from the standalone N badge, will make its way to the family sedan, the automaker confirmed during a briefing on Friday. Not only will this name adorn the Sonata, Hyundai said it has a total of nine N-Line vehicles coming globally in 2020 and 2021.

We'll see the Sonata N-Line "soon," a Hyundai representative said. When we do, the company also confirmed it'll sport a 2.5-liter turbo-four engine. It'll be the first time a Hyundai model will use this new engine, though it's unclear what will perform shifting duties. Hyundai added it has an eight-speed dual-clutch coming to absolute N cars, like the Veloster N, but didn't confirm this transmission for the Sonata N-Line.

As for power outputs, it's not clear how much this power plant will make, but rumors have pegged the figure to be as high as 275 horsepower.

2020 Hyundai Sonata
2020 Hyundai Sonata delivers high-tech, high-style family motoring
57 PHOTOS
Why not go further with more power? Because a full-blown Hyundai N sedan is coming, too. The South Korean automaker let it slip that it has three purebred N vehicles on the way: a sedan, an SUV and a hatchback.

It's quite likely the sedan will be a Sonata as well, while all signs point to the SUV being a performance version of the Kona. The hatchback is more of mystery, but I suppose the Elantra GT, which offers an N-Line model, could also get a full N version. Such a car is already sold globally as the i30 N. Hyundai wouldn't confirm any of this.

Auto show season will hit a lull now that the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show is over. If Hyundai will bring the Sonata N-Line to the auto show circuit, the first possible reveal would be at the Chicago Auto Show this coming February. All we can do is stay tuned and hope this news pushes Honda to build an Accord Type R.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/h...rmance-engine/

[left footed whooten]

Good, that camry needs to be taken down a peg or two

[dwf137]

Is there really a market for a "performance" mid-size sedan? Passat GT existed for a year at 280 hp, but seemed to receive lackluster enthusiasm. Probably because it was outfitted with crappy all-season tires and couldn't perform worth a damn in tests...

But the accord and camry already have pretty good performance for a mid-size segment... I don't really think this is the demographic for "performance" editions, but maybe it is? Time and sales will tell I guess.

[subyski]

At least Hyundai is willing. But I think there's a larger "performance" market in South Korea that justifies its existence.

The problem with the Passat, in general, is that the USDM market never embraced it, ever. As far as sedans go, it was the Jetta, and that's it.

People have embraced the Sonata, so there is the potential of some mild success.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by subyski

At least Hyundai is willing. But I think there's a larger "performance" market in South Korea that justifies its existence.

The problem with the Passat, in general, is that the USDM market never embraced it, ever. As far as sedans go, it was the Jetta, and that's it.

People have embraced the Sonata, so there is the potential of some mild success.

yeah, the Passat never really resonated with mid-size car buyers. The Jetta GLI is a pretty compelling package right now though.

The Sonata seems to be embraced in a certain segment of the US population though... one that I don't think is going to be likely to spring for a performance version. Maybe my judgement is misplaced, and I know Hyundai is trying to move up-market, so maybe it makes sense as a low-volume trim.

[mhoward1]

Originally Posted by dwf137

Is there really a market for a "performance" mid-size sedan? Passat GT existed for a year at 280 hp, but seemed to receive lackluster enthusiasm. Probably because it was outfitted with crappy all-season tires and couldn't perform worth a damn in tests...

But the accord and camry already have pretty good performance for a mid-size segment... I don't really think this is the demographic for "performance" editions, but maybe it is? Time and sales will tell I guess.

The Altima SE and SE-R did well, as well as the Maxima SE before Nissan went stale.

The Honda Accord Sport sells in good numbers too

[AVANTI R5]

Problem with the Passat (which actually happens with all Brands/ Models) you price out the the top dog you might as well just get an Audi..

[rexster]

They should just bring the i30n over and get rid of the stupid Veloster. There isn’t much of a performance sedan segment. The i30 is a great car that I would consider buying. But the doors on the veloster are a deal breaker for myself and many others...

[john_knoxville]

if hyundai claims 275hp and 35+ mpg for the sonata n-line they should totally be believed, it's not like they ever misled the public about these figures before!

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by rexster

They should just bring the i30n over and get rid of the stupid Veloster. There isn’t much of a performance sedan segment. The i30 is a great car that I would consider buying. But the doors on the veloster are a deal breaker for myself and many others...

The Veloster N is the best car Hyundai sells in North America. Nothing stupid about it as it's a better buy than the WRX.

[subyski]

The N with performance pack is of great value. The lower spec non-performance pack is still good and you can find it cheaper than a Civic Si.