The long-awaited 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, also known as the i30 N Sedan in some markets including Australia, has just been unveiled and as we suspected, features many of the same parts as the i30 N hot hatch. Powering the car is Hyundai’s familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that now has a 5 mm larger turbine wheel and pumps out 276 hp and 392 Nm of torque. Coupled to the 2.0-liter is an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual driving the front wheels. With the N Grin Shift mode enable, boost pressure from the engine is increased, bumping up power to 285 hp and launching the car to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
Helping to put power to the ground is an electronic limited-slip differential that Hyundai dubs the ‘N Corner Carving Different.’ The car also features a launch control system and offers the same N Grin Shift, N Power Shift, and N Track Sense Shift modes as other Hyundai N models with DCTs. Another innovative feature of the Elantra N is a WRC-inspired integrated drive axle that integrates the drive shaft, wheel hub, and bearing, reducing weight by 1.7 kg and improving lateral grip.
Further aiding in the car’s performance is electronically-adjustable suspension that works alongside a dual compound trailing arm bush to optimize the ride and handling while minimizing noise, vibration and harshness. Hyundai has also fitted four-point strut rings and rear stiff bars to strengthen the body. Braking is provided by 14.1-inch (360 mm) discs with Hyundai’s own high-friction material pads that have already proven themselves to be exceptionally durable. The South Korean carmaker has also designed a cooling hold in the front fascia along with a brake air guide structure to improve cooling efficiency.
A handful of other features debut with the Elantra N. One of these is the N Sound Equalizer that pumps sounds into the cabin that can mimic TCR race car sounds. Drivers can adjust the sound for whine, throat, and bass through an equalizer. The variable exhaust has also been updated to reduce the booming sound while idling but still retaining the same cracks and pops as other N models.
An updated infotainment system is also used by the car and displays important information like oil and coolant temperatures as well as torque and turbo pressures. There is also a dedicated lap timer and in some markets, a Hyundai N app will be available that shows important driver information on their smartphone. Also found within are new seats with reinforced bolsters and customers can also option bucket seats that sit 10 mm lower.
From a styling perspective, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N adopts a more angular and aggressive design than the regular Elantra. The front end, for example, features a bespoke bumper and enlarged air intakes, as well as a new splitter. The car has also been equipped with unique side skirts, a rear diffuser, a fixed rear wing, an F1-inspired rear light, and bespoke wheels.
