Hyundai Elantra N revealed

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra N has been unveiled. The sporty sedan does not get a manual gearbox or an all-wheel-drive system, but it now comes with a powerful engine, improved internals, and uprated components.

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its Hyundai Elantra N. The Elantra N is to the Hyundai Elantra what the Octavia RS is to the Skoda Octavia. The Elantra N is the full-blown sporty version of the Hyundai Elantra, which can also serve well as a family commuter.

The source of power is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor, which pushes out 276bhp and 392Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox – Hyundai hasn’t offered a manual transmission. There is an ‘NGS’  button on the steering wheel, which bumps the power by 10bhp for 20 seconds. The top-speed has been electronically limited at 250km/hr, and the sport-sedan can do a 0 – 100km/hr run in 5.3 seconds (claimed).

The air-intake duct has been revised to feed more air to the turbo, which is 5mm larger. The enhancement has resulted in crisper throttle response and a flatter power and torque delivery, says Hyundai. The braking system has been upgraded too. The 360mm rotors are made of high-friction material. The brake cooling system has been revised to offer improved thermal efficiency.

Hyundai has installed an electronic limited-slip differential, which improves the cornering grip. The chassis has been reinforced with four-point strut rings and stiffer rear bars, which in turn improve its capacity to manage lateral (cornering) forces. For the first time, Hyundai’s N division has applied the integrated drive axle tech, which essentially is a drive shaft integrated into the wheel bearing and hub. The setup is inspired by Hyundai WRC’s learnings. The interesting thing is that it weighs only 1.7kg. The Elantra N rides on 19-inch wheels and comes shod with 245mm section Michelin PS4S tyres.

The exhaust system has been tuned for ‘pops & bangs’. That being said, the sound system transmits the exhaust note into the cabin. The artificial exhaust sound can be tweaked in terms of three different tones and levels – whine, throat, and bass.

The Elantra N also gets a sportier body kit all around, with red highlights. The bumpers on both ends are beefier and exhibit a sporty design. The rear end gets a sporty diffuser, which houses dual exhaust tips. The sedan also gets a fixed spoiler that sports a very peculiar design. Inside, the cabin comes equipped with sporty seats and a steering wheel. The pedals, scuffs, and shifter knob get ‘N’ branding as well.

The Hyundai Elantra that's on sale in India is a generation old. The international market has already received the new sedan based on a new platform and a new powertrain. The India-spec Elantra is priced between Rs 17.85 and 21.12 lakh (ex-showroom). When Hyundai India brings in the new-generation Elantra, the prices are expected to see a hike of Rs 1 to 1.2 lakh across variants.

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