Hyundai Elantra N Debut: Here’s What We Noticed
With two new models launching for 2022, Hyundai‘s N sub-brand is definitely on a roll. The company has now officially debuted its Elantra N for the North American market. Here are some features and specs that suggest it could be a hit with driving enthusiasts.
The Elantra N’s front brakes are massive and optimized for cooling
The Hyundai Elantra N is full of racing-inspired touches, like air guides and optimized dust covers for improved brake cooling. Speaking of brakes, the front rotors are huge for the segment, with a diameter of 14.2 inches. For comparison, the Civic Type R’s front rotors measure 13.8 inches. High-performance driving is safer and more fun with capable fade-resistant brakes. Hyundai appears to have delivered them here.
What’s that red button?
In true Fast & Furious style, dual-clutch (DCT) automatic models have a bright red button on the steering wheel that says NGS. No, it’s not nitrous oxide, but an acronym that stands for N Grin Shift. When pressed, it releases an extra 10 horses for 20-second intervals, for a grand total of 286 hp. Basically, it permits extra boost from the turbocharger and speeds up response from the transmission as well.
The Hyundai Elantra N is for equipped serious drivers
Clearly, Hyundai isn’t playing around with its N brand models. The automaker is gunning for drivers that normally resort to the aftermarket for their handling fix. Case in point: the Elantra N’s four-point rear chassis brace. It’s bright red, it’s massive, and it blocks an otherwise functional pass-through for cargo.
Hyundai says the brace improves Elantra’s structural rigidity by 29%. The stiffer the chassis, the better a suspension can do its job of making a car ride and handle well. Reinforcement has also been applied to the front struts, but in a rather unconventional way. Instead of the typical brace running between them, each front strut has a small bracket connecting it to the body outside of the tower.
Sport sedans are alive and kicking with the Elantra N
While the masses still gravitate toward SUVs or trucks for daily drivers, apparently Hyundai still sees enough justification for sport sedans. To properly energize its four-door chassis, Elantra N borrows a 2.0-liter turbo engine from the Veloster N. It’s a potent four-cylinder mill with 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque on a full-time basis.
The engine can also be quite vocal, with exhaust pops and crackles in N mode. But with the variable valve setup, it can also be civilized when needed; at low speeds, for example. The N Sound Equalizer does amplify some engine noise through the speakers, but this is also adjustable between three different modes.
All in all, there are some impressive specs and features on the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N. With a format that’s more practical than the Veloster, yet not an SUV, the N brand’s latest sport sedan is a welcome addition. Final pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but per Car & Driver, the base price could be around $30,000.
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