The recently established Hyundai N performance division is working on three cars at present, one of which is the yet-to-be-revealed G70 from new luxury brand Genesis. The G70 will be a small sports sedan slotting in below the mid-size G80 (the current Hyundai Genesis) and full-size G90, and the car will come with a N-tuned version that could potentially rival the likes of the BMW M3, Cadillac ATS-V and Mercedes-AMG C63.
The information was confirmed to Car and Driver by Hyundai N chief Albert Biermann. The German exec previously headed engineering at BMW M and thus will have a good handle on how to make Hyundai’s standard lineup significantly quicker.
In his interview, Biermann hinted that the N-tuned G70 is likely to forgo the automaker’s 5.0-liter V-8 in favor of the new twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 that made its debut in the G90. The engine produces 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque in the flagship sedan but may end up with more once Hyundai N gets its hands on it. It’s possible the hot G70 will also offer all-wheel drive to help differentiate it from its aforementioned rivals.
Sadly, it might be a couple of years until we see the car as we’re still a few years out from seeing the regular G70.
Another model that will get the Hyundai N treatment is the Hyundai i30, the global version of our Elantra GT. It’s now thought the N-tuned version will be based on the next-generation i30, even though engineers have been spotted testing sporty versions of the current model at the Nürburgring.
It’s not clear what the third Hyundai N model will be, though it’s rumored the car will be a coupe of some sport.
