Hyundai’s mid-engined sports car prototype spied undisguised

With Hyundai continuing to pursue building a mid-engined sports car, most recently hinted at by the Hyundai RM19 concept, a spy shot from Koeran blog Bobaedream of a widened, Veloster-based prototype is all but confirmation the brand is well on its way to achieving its goal.

Now dubbed ‘MR23T’, interpreted as a mid-engine, rear-drive, 2.3-litre turbocharged drivetrain layout, which would make it likely more powerful than the RM19’s 290kW from a TCR-derived 2.0-litre four.

There’s also talk that the mid-engined car from Hyundai could run with hybrid power, as the company has been working with strategic partner Rimac Automobilli in developing high-performance electric and fuel cell prototypes.

2

Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of product at Hyundai Motor Group, said upon the reveal of the RM19 at the LA Auto Show that the concept is indeed a signal of intention to build a real, mid-engined performance car.

“The RM19 signals future brand aspirations for Hyundai’s high-performance N brand, solidly moving N into the prestigious arena of supercar-level performance.”

While it’s unclear how close MR23T is to the final product, its widened rear haunches (which look an awful lot like vent intakes) definitely suggest it’s not just a modified Veloster.