Hyundai Motor, the fastest growing automaker by brand value, showcases its high performance sub-brand N at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Built on the foundation of the company’s intensive product development and motorsport experiences, Hyundai N ultimately aims to bring ‘the most thrilling winding road fun’ to customers who truly love cars.
Inspired by motorsport, the Hyundai N has tempered its experiences and technological capabilities to create striking and pioneering high performance cars.
Albert Biermann, Head of Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division said, “By revealing this exciting high performance sub-brand N to our customers, we’re changing and challenging expectations of the Hyundai Motor brand. Drivers will soon experience the thrills and emotions of our proven motorsport prowess for themselves. Our future model line-up will include performance-oriented and race-track-capable cars with full of energy. They’re just the start of what we know will be a fast and exhilarating journey.”
2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA)
Based on the passion of engineers and strategies from High Performance Vehicle Development Center, Hyundai N cars will feature new powertrains and lightweight materials derived from Hyundai Motor’s World Rally Championship (WRC) participation, as well as performance-focused handling and aerodynamics. By providing carefully balanced levels of power and agility, Hyundai N cars will also achieve harmony in performance and deliver optimum thrills to customers who appreciate a focused and truly engaging driving experience.
In order to introduce Hyundai N’s roots and vision clearly, Hyundai Motor showcases the latest motorsport challenger and two dynamic concepts during the motor show. A preview of the latest motorsport challenger, New Generation i20 WRC, shows Hyundai Motor’s effort to accumulate high performance technologies and test performance-oriented models that possess race track capable technologies. As a further hint to Hyundai Motor’s future technologies, RM15 will also be showcased with Hyundai Motor’s ultimate concept car, the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo.
Based on Hyundai N’s slogan ‘Ngaged: Moment of Pure Connection Between the Car and Driver’, Hyundai Motor will deliver passion and pleasure in driving on the race track as well as in everyday life.
Born in Namyang, honed at the Nürburgring
The tight connection between Namyang and Nürburgring creates the foundation for N. Namyang is the heart of Hyundai Motor’s global R&D network and birthplace of all Hyundai cars, and Nürburgring is the world’s most challenging race track in Germany used to hone N’s high performance technologies. Both locations play a crucial role in developing, testing and perfecting the predictable and responsive handling and vigorous acceleration that will characterise future N products.
Hyundai Motor’s passion for N can be identified by the curved lines of the signature letter N. The logo shape of N represents the corners of a race track where cars are pushed to the limit – namely, the chicane where the technical skills of the driver and the balance of the car are rigorously tested.
Performing at the driver’s will and aiming for an immediate response, the Hyundai N embodies the focus for Hyundai Motor’s upcoming high performance line-up. The N fulfils the promise of Hyundai Motor to always go after new ideas and undiscovered possibilities. Along with constant technological enhancement in new generation powertrains, lightweight materials, chassis, body and aerodynamic concepts, the Hyundai N will become the platform for Hyundai Motor’s future performance-focused products.
Inspired by Motorsport
The Hyundai N originates from Hyundai Motor’s motorsport endeavours, the source of inspiration for the development of high performance cars. Delivering instant and precise response to the driver’s intention, high performance cars demand sharp cornering, immediate steering response, and a light but strong chassis. The sense of total control and immediate response will unite the driver and car to maximize delight in everyday driving.
At the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai Motor highlights its passion for performance and engineering competency with a preview of the New Generation i20 WRC rally car, which appears on the stage to demonstrate Hyundai Motor’s performance ambition.
Based on the New Generation i20, this rally car is the preview for the vehicle that will compete in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship. Featuring optimized weight distribution, greater powertrain efficiency and enhanced aerodynamics, the car is already undergoing a punishing testing, engineering and development regime building up to its final rally-specification ahead of its debut at Rally Monte Carlo.
The New Generation i20 WRC will demonstrate Hyundai Motor’s ability to enhance its high-performance DNA, and will continue to compete in motorsports as Hyundai N builds towards producing a full road-going line-up of cars.
Joining the Nürburgring 24-hour race with Hyundai Motor’s i30 Turbo is another step forward in the company’s challenge to enhance high performance specifications. Powered by a 1.6-litre R4 Turbo engine producing 166 kW (226 PS) at 5,500rpm, the car competed in the challenging Nürburgring 24-hour race in May 2015. More than 80 percent of the drivetrain incorporated in the i30 series production car combined with upgraded race-capable technologies led Hyundai i30 Turbo to win the SP2T class and finish 71st overall. The car completed 119 laps and ran over 3,000 km without any technical issues or problems.
Accumulating high performance technologies from Hyundai Motor’s RM15
The mid-engined RM15 (Racing Midship 2015) concept is an aggressively-styled high-performance coupe that makes a confident statement about Hyundai Motor’s passion for performance and hints at the future direction of the Hyundai N’s advanced technologies.
Although the RM15 is a new challenge for Hyundai Motor, it has adopted a ‘midship’ structure established when N technology was introduced by Hyundai Motor in 2013 to support the production of high-performance automobiles.
The RM15 features an aluminum spaceframe as its core structure, covered by light, stiff body panels formed in carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), which together help to achieve a significant weight saving compared to a conventional all-steel vehicle. The body panels are painted in the signature colors that represent N vehicles featuring Hyundai Motor’s high performance technologies.
Total weight is reduced to 1,260 kg – a saving of 195 kg compared to an all-steel structure. With weight distribution effectively balanced for a midship concept (43% front, 57% rear), the center of gravity is just 491 mm from the ground and aerodynamic downforce is 124 kg at 200 kph, aided by a competitive lift-coefficient.
2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA)
Power comes from Hyundai Motor’s Theta 2.0-litre T-GDI engine, tuned to deliver 300 PS at 6,000 RPM through a six-speed manual transmission. Mounted transversely behind the two-seater cabin and ahead of the rear axle, optimized weight distribution is ensured, with a low moment of inertia for excellent handling agility and high levels of traction. Vertical air-intake slots in the flanks of the car, ahead of the rear wheel arches, increase cooling airflow within the engine bay and enhance powertrain efficiency, ready to enjoy your ride on the race track.
All these elements combine to achieve Hyundai N’s aim of balanced performance, focusing on increasing power without sacrificing the driving experience. Every individual element has a crucial role in making N nimble and responsive to deliver the core N value of harmonized performance.
Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo: leading the next-generation high-performance vehicles
At the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai Motor also introduces the ultimate concept car to show the global audience the brand’s unique perspective on future performance characteristics. The ‘Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo’ concept, inspired by the passion of N, will be coming exclusively to PlayStation®’s Gran Turismo video game series.
The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo’s powertrain is based on world’s first mass-produced Hyundai hydrogen fuel cell system, highlighting Hyundai Motor’s passion for performance and sustainability. The total system output is 650 kW (884 PS), with the dual fuel cell stacks providing 500 kW (680 PS), and the super capacitor system generating an additional 150 kW (204 PS) by using energy regeneration when braking. This remarkable power is delivered through four high-powered independent in-wheel motors, which provide uncompromised traction and immediate response.
The compact, lightweight fuel cell stacks and rigid CFRP monocoque structure help to keep weight down to 972 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio that rivals the most exotic supercars in the world. Combined with a low center of gravity, this power and performance sets the car up to perform on the most challenging of race tracks, encapsulating the thrilling premise of N cars.
As air flows through Hyundai Motor’s trademark hexagonal grille to the boat-shaped underbody structure, the tube-type underflow air supply duct connected to the rear minimizes pressure to the underbody to produce maximum downforce. In addition, the air brakes activate according to speed and brake usage as well as reduce drag.
Although the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo is based on eco-performance technology, the vehicle will strike a chord with enthusiasts merely by the deep growl of its powertrain. The sounds from the air blower’s turbine that spins at around 200,000 rpm, the unique frequency of fuel cell stacks, the purging sound from the hydrogen cooling system and the high-pitched in-wheel motor sound harmoniously combine to produce a distinct race car rumble, further thrilling the driver.
The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo’s design concept draws inspiration from aeronautics and the testing ground called ‘Muroc Dry Lake’ where pilots and astronauts train, risking their lives for the pursuit of space travel. This innovative and audacious spirit shown at Muroc Dry Lake was the main motif for the design of the car. That is why the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo is also called ‘Muroc’.
Inspired by aeronautics and formed by speed, the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo looks like a jet fighter on wheels that blurs the line between air and asphalt. Hyundai Motor designed this car to appear more like a crafted machine for grounded aeronautics. So, the car actually looks like it is floating.
Furthermore, Hyundai Motor’s Sound Design Research Lab designed a unique racing car sound system for fuel cell based cars to maximize the emotional delight of this highly-spirited yet eco-friendly model. Armed with all of these future technologies, the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo truly represents the potential of Hyundai N product’s sporting future.
Through Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo’s sustainable technology, innovative race car design and sound, Hyundai Motor is presenting N’s future potential to a wider global online community, making company’s passion for performance visible to millions of people around the world.
N technology drives Korean national Bobsleigh team
To showcase the breadth of Hyundai N’s high performance technology, Hyundai Motor debuts its independently developed ‘Hyundai N Bobsleigh 2016’ at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Utilising key advanced technologies and engineering learned from the Hyundai N, Hyundai Motor has minimized air resistance through wind tunnel aerodynamic testing and created ideal weight distribution with a low center of gravity design. Lightweight materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) improve cornering and acceleration, combined with a strong chassis frame to reduce friction caused by vibration.
Furthermore, Hyundai Motor has worked with the Korean national bobsleigh team to develop bobsleighs tailored to individual athletes. Considering each athlete’s body and capability, Hyundai Motor ergonomically customized bobsleighs to ensure a perfect fit by going so far as to scan the athlete’s body.
The key technologies of Hyundai N Bobsleigh’s chassis, push handle, cabin, push bar, cowling and front bumper will be introduced at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. After participating in the upcoming 2015/2016 bobsleigh winter season with the N Bobsleigh, Hyundai Motor plans to gear up for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics with an upgraded bobsleigh and maintain a long-term partnership.