Hyundai’s high-performance N division is revising its development strategy, adding petrol-electric hybrid models to its portfolio alongside fully electric vehicles.
Speaking to Auto Express, Joon Park, Vice-President of Hyundai’s N Management Group, said the shift would allow the brand to build performance cars that combine the immediacy of electric torque with the responsiveness of internal combustion engines.
“We’re not limiting ourselves to EVs,” Park said. “We will go further with ICE-based cars as well; this is not the end of our journey.”
The division has, until now, been focused on high-output electric models such as the 478kW Ioniq 5 N, which accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, and the upcoming Ioniq 6 N. These will remain central to Hyundai’s electrification programme, but Park confirmed that hybrids tuned for performance rather than fuel economy are now in development.
Hybrid Tucson N in the works
One of the first models in this new category will be the Hyundai Tucson N, expected to deliver around 224kW (300bhp) from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor. Industry reports suggest an electric rear axle may be fitted to provide all-wheel drive.
The model is anticipated to adopt design cues from Hyundai’s larger Santa Fe SUV, with a focus on structural rigidity and reduced mass. “Lighter, more agile, nimble, and exciting,” is how Park described the project, positioning it as a sports-oriented SUV capable of maintaining everyday usability.
Two distinct hybrid strategies
Park outlined two approaches to hybridisation within Hyundai. One is optimised for maximum fuel efficiency, similar to the systems used in Hyundai’s mainstream hybrid models such as the Kona Hybrid, which records a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.6L/100km. The other, intended for N performance cars, prioritises output and responsiveness.
“If we have a hybrid system in our N cars, the strategy will be different — to have more power intensely,” Park said. This would combine the high-revving characteristics of a petrol engine with the instantaneous acceleration of an electric motor, potentially reducing 0–100km/h times compared with equivalent combustion-only models.
Potential expansion to smaller N models
The Tucson N may be the first, but Park suggested the formula could be applied to lighter vehicles. This includes potential hybrid versions of the Kona N, as well as future i20 N and i30 N hot hatchbacks, provided battery weight can be kept in check.
“If we can make a smaller model with a less-weighted battery, then it can be better,” Park said, indicating a clear priority on handling and balance over electric-only driving range.
