Hyundai Is Already Testing Its Next High-Performance Engine

Hyundai says the engine will have 'improved power and response characteristics.'

Hyundai Elantra N1 RP Race Car With Prototype N Engine

Photo by: Hyundai

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Apr 24, at 2:00pm ET

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The Breakdown:

Hyundai will publicly test its next-generation high-performance N engine during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
The engine has ‘improved power and response characteristics.’
The current turbocharged 2.0-liter engine makes 276 horsepower in the Elantra N.

Next month, Hyundai will begin publicly testing its next-generation high-performance N engine. The automaker is putting the motor in two Elantra N race cars that will compete in next month’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

The automaker said it wants to validate the new powertrain’s "performance and durability in extreme conditions," but specific details remain elusive. All Hyundai will say about the next-gen engine is that it features "improved power and response characteristics... while meeting emissions regulations."

A decade ago, Hyundai did this exact thing, putting a prototype engine in an i30 to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. A year later, the automaker would begin producing the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

It is the engine that currently powers the Elantra N, delivering 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. Sedans equipped with the dual-clutch automatic feature N Grin Shift, which boosts output to 286 hp for 20 seconds.

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Compared to other performance compacts, the Elantra N is down on power. The Civic Type R, which is also far more expensive, makes 315. The Golf GTI, which has a similar starting price to the N, makes 241 hp, while the pricier Golf R produces 328 hp.

Motor1’s Take: We wouldn’t be surprised if Hyundai’s next N engine delivers around 300 hp, but we don’t expect much more than that. It sounds like this will be an evolution of the current powertrain instead of a complete redesign, so the updates could be quite modest.

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