If you thought the 201 hp Elantra N Line was the end of the performance road for Hyundai’s compact sedan, you’d be wrong.
On Monday, Hyundai released two teaser images that give a glimpse of the 2022 Elantra N with multi-spoke aluminum wheels with red N brand calipers, extended side skirts and a trunk-mounted spoiler. The automaker said the hottest version of the Elantra would be revealed in the coming weeks.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N-Teaser
In a video published in September promoting the new Elantra N TCR racing car, a prototype for a presumably full-fledged Elantra N is revealed at the end.
The development of the car is hardly surprising as a prototype was spotted near the Nürburgring in August.
Like the Elantra N TCR racing car, the road car is expected to have a 2.0-liter turbo in-line 4 engine that only powers the front wheels. The same engine configuration of the i30 N sold overseas, as well as our own Veloster N, develops 250hp in standard and 275hp with an available power package.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N spy footage – Photo credit: S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
2022 Hyundai Elantra N spy footage – Photo credit: S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
2022 Hyundai Elantra N spy footage – Photo credit: S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
The Elantra N should also take on the N-tuned 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that was just made available for the i30 N and Veloster N for 2021, and hopefully a 6-speed manual transmission will be available for drivers who want the third pedal . The tamer Elantra N Line offers the choice between a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
From the prototype discovered in August, we know that the Elantra N will come with larger wheels and brakes than the Elantra N Line, along with a fixed rear wing, which Hyundai has now confirmed. There will likely be more racy mods inside too, such as lightweight bucket seats, Alcantara trim, and N-branded emblems.
The Elantra N Line will be launched on the market in December 2021. The Elantra N is expected to hit the market next year as a 2022 model.
The Hyundai N Performance Team has a busy year ahead of them. It also works on i20 N and Kona N models, the latter of which we should see the latter in the US. A Sonata N Line and a dedicated N sports car are also coming, the latter possibly with battery-electric drive.
