Sweet Dream: Hyundai Santa Cruz N

Albert Biermann is doing wonders at Hyundai’s N division. Between the hotted up i20, i30, and Kona, the Korean performance division is on a roll. However, we think it’s time it tackles something a bit more challenging – and much bigger!

Behold our vision for the Hyundai Santa Cruz N. A supercharged V8 dual cab that will be the pride of Seoul.

The Santa Cruz debuted earlier this year exclusively for North America (boo!), and right-hand drive production is already a hard no from Hyundai. But that hasn’t stopped us envisaging a future where Biermann’s N division made things right with a performance variant.

Phrases like ‘solid rear axle’, and ‘body-on-frame’ would send shivers down most performance car enthusiast’s spine. But just because we desire a bit more driving purity doesn’t mean we should miss out on any potential performance dual-cab shenanigans.

So instead of following in the off-road Baja-style footsteps of Ford’s Raptor family and Ram’s Hellcat-powered TRX, the Santa Cruz N would play to its strengths on tarmac. Think of it as a Korean homage to the sports utes of old like the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

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"The result would be a supercharged V8 dual cab that could harass super sedans and also haul modest cargo"

There are a variety of engines that would be suitable for this application, the most modern of which is the twin-turbo V6 Smartstream G3.5 T-GDi found in a number of Genesis models. However, we think that the old-school vibe of the Santa Cruz N deserves a more hardcore powerplant. That’s why we’d slide a supercharged version of the oft-overlooked Tau V8 under the bonnet.

Sports suspension, low(ish) profile rubber of the performance-orientated compound, a more vocal and angry exhaust system, some subtle body tweaks, and a series of deliciously ostentatious colours to choose from would be among key changes.

The result would be a supercharged V8 dual cab that’d harass super sedans while hauling modest cargo. Sound rad? We thought so as well. Read on to discover the finer details of how we’d make it all work.

Want to play fantasy product planner with us? Send your best ideas to MOTOR@aremedia.com.au

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How We'd Build It

01. Tau About Town

The 4.6-litre supercharged engine under the bonnet would be a tweaked production version of the Tau V8 Hyundai showed at SEMA in 2009. Power would come in at 350kW/600Nm, thanks to a screw-type supercharger and water-to-air intercooler. Cylinder deactivation will help keep fuel consumption (relatively) in check.

02. Rubber Down

Continental SportContact 6 XL rubber will give the Santa Cruz N a sure-footed stance and confidence in mixed conditions. Power will be sent to all four wheels at all times, while Hyundai’s new eight-speed dual-clutch ’box will change gears.

03. Track Backed

The Santa Cruz N would be more comfortable on a race track than the Mexican peninsula thanks to suspension fine-tuned on the Nürburgring (because the James May idiom about it ruining cars is patently false).

04. Rings of Steel

A two-tonne kerb weight will require some serious stoppers. N division will demand not only sizeable drilled rotors, but six-pot calipers up front (four out back), with thicker pads.

05. Scream ‘n’ Shout

The Santa Cruz N would offer plenty in the sound department thanks to a full sports exhaust system as standard. Subtle isn’t in the remit for a V8 sports ute.

06. Neck Breaker

On the topic of subtlety, the Santa Cruz N will be available with a veritable rainbow of colour options. The Tau V8 and exhaust system will ensure you a heard before seen, but only just.