Hyundai i20 N Hot Hatchback To Be Released In 2014

Hyundai will have a new label for all their high-performance cars moving forward, with the “N” sub-brand announced to the world.

The “N” in question refers to Namyang, the home to Hyundai’s research and development center, which is where the motorsport division was born.

All of the new cars developed under the “N” will, however, start life at the automaker’s new motorsport facility in Alzenau, Germany.

That is where the 2014 i20 WRC cars were deisigned and engineered for the upcoming WRC races in 2014.

Hyundai i20 N

Other than the name, Hyundai revealed little else about potential “N” performance models, although a spokesperson was quoted as saying that the first car with the new badge is likely to be based on the i20 WRC.

The team principal, Michael Nandan, stated that while the focus of the team is on the i20 being entered into the WRC, they are also starting work on a new performance-oriented road car that is expected to arrive at the tail end of 2014.

Nandan also said that the first cars bearing the “N” badge will deliver a mild performance hike, with plenty of room to do more. He doesn’t believe that the i20 N will start off extreme, but may head that way in the future.

A high performance Hyundai i20 N would be a perfect competitor to the Ford Fiesta ST, with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine used to link the race and the road cars.

There is still no indication as to whether or not the “N” would be volume models, like the Fiesta ST, or whether they will be limited editions like the Citroen DS3.

The “N” models will likely begin life in the European market, where Hyundai is incredibly keen to build its brand.

Stay tuned for more Hyundai news!