Hyundai Elantra N No Longer A Rumor As Hot Sedan Makes Spy Debut

Earlier this month, Hyundai lifted the veils off the sporty Elantra N Line model. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine making 201 HP and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) of torque, the Elantra N Line is the range-topping model of the latest-generation Elantra sedan.

It won’t hold on to that position for long, though, as Hyundai also has a full-blown Elantra N performance model in the works. Spotted for the first time in public in Germany near Hyundai’s Nürburgring test center, the Elantra N prototypes featured a full camouflage wrap that could not hide typical Hyundai N elements.

Those include the fixed rear spoiler, massive round exhausts, big wheels, and beefier brakes featuring red brake calipers. Expect the bumpers to look similar to the ones of the Elantra N Line, albeit with an extra edge of aggressiveness.

It goes without saying that the Elantra N will also feature an upgraded sports suspension with a lower ride height and sportier setup. The interior should borrow a lot from the Elantra N Line and feature upgrades such as full-blown bucket seats and plenty of Alcantara surfaces.

While nothing is confirmed yet, the most obvious powertrain choice for the Elantra N would be the 2.0-liter GDi turbo petrol engine that powers the current i30 N performance hatch and fastback models. The power plant delivers a healthy 271 horsepower (202 kW / 275 PS) and 353 Nm (261 lb-ft) of torque.

In the i30 N models, it is offered in combination with either a six-speed manual with rev-matching function or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with an electronic limited-slip differential. As with said models, power will go exclusively to the front wheels. The Elantra N is expected to debut after the Kona N, which means we won’t see it in dealerships earlier than 2021.