The future of Hyundai's N division: Where to next?

In this increasingly electric age, a lot of fan-favourite performance models are destined for either the chopping block or a battery pack. What does that mean for EV-obsessed Hyundai and its performance-focused N division?

Tightening emissions regulations and government legislation are painting a bleak future for affordable performance cars across the globe, and particularly at the N division of Hyundai Motor Corporation (HMC) – at least for petrol-powered models.

As Wheels understands it, the current i30 N hatch is expected to receive a comprehensive refresh in Australia in 2023, with the rest of the i30 hatchback line-up also facelifted in Europe. Although HMC is yet to announce this.

But beyond that update, the i30 N hatch’s future – and the i30 hatchback range as a whole – remains uncertain as tough Euro 7 emission standards (that come into effect on 1 July 2025 across the European Union) virtually demand that a model range includes hybrid and electric powertrains.

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Hyundai i30 N hatch

With the popularity of small hatches waning, in lieu of small SUVs like Hyundai’s Kona (which offers petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains in its imminent new generation – see above), the likelihood of the i30 hatch lasting beyond 2025 appears slim.

As for the Turkish-built i20 N hatch, the former boss of Hyundai’s N division and now executive technical advisor, Albert Biermann, recently confirmed that a facelifted i20 N will appear in Europe in mid-2023, meaning a likely arrival in Australia by early 2024.

“Yes, there will be a facelift,” said Biermann. “It’s coming next summer [in Europe], so we need to wait a little bit. But on the technical side, you don’t need to be afraid, it’s still the crazy corner rascal [the current model is].”

Biermann had previously stated that an i20 N facelift would be mainly cosmetic, because Hyundai was already finding it impossible to meet global demand for the car.

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Hyundai i20 N

He also said the N division was struggling to get a new-gen i20 N signed off by management, even though a successor to the current BC3 i20 is already under development. At the very least, then, the i20 N appears to have around two years left.

The i30 Sedan N also gets a stay of execution, owing to the sales volume it generates in its sedan-focused main markets (the US and South Korea), meaning it will outlive its doomed i30 N hatch relative, with a decision on its life expectancy still some way off.

So where does that leave the current Kona N? As Wheels understands it, dead in the water.

There’s been no official word from HMC on this as yet, though given the recent announcement of sporting N-Line variants spanning all powertrains in the forthcoming new-generation Kona line-up (arriving here mid-year) – and with the performance of the Kona Electric being similar to the existing Kona N – the likelihood of developing a short-lived, high-performance, new-generation petrol-powered model with a lifespan of less than two years is, well, zero.

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Hyundai Kona N

Once these revered (and affordable) performance models disappear from Hyundai’s stable, what will fill the gap? Cue a bunch of fully electric N models based on HMC’s existing e-GMP architecture (or variations of this 800-volt electric platform).

We know the track-honed Ioniq 5 N is close to sign-off and will be unveiled before the end of 2023 – featuring a near-identical powertrain to the related 430kW/740Nm Kia EV6 GT but with improved cooling performance, a more hardcore suspension tune and stronger brakes with greater regenerative performance.

Based on what Hyundai’s vice president for N brand management and motorsport, Till Wartenburg, told Australian automotive media at The Bend in late-2022 – at the RN22e concept’s Australian track debut, a vehicle that prefigures the forthcoming Ioniq 6 N sedan – any future N-branded electric Hyundai must feature the e-GMP platform with 800-volt silicon-carbide inverter in order to “keep the three pillars of N, where racetrack capability is one – that is a huge challenge”.

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Hyundai RN22e concept

Wartenburg said that creating a high-performance car using the e-GMP platform will make the potential of this architecture much more apparent, whereas attempting to create a track-capable vehicle using the 400-volt architecture as used by several competitors would be “just a waste of time; they can’t go there.”

The other challenge for Hyundai in using 800-volt technology is managing the cost increase over combustion-engined models. That will be particularly important for the ultimate successor to the i30 N hatch – a vehicle that is currently under development using the e-GMP platform.

Expected to be called Ioniq 4 N, Hyundai hopes its price will start with a 6.

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The new-gen Hyundai Kona EV, due here in late 2023

New Kona's upmarket push

The second-gen Hyundai Kona is just six months away from its Australian debut. Combustion-engined models will arrive first – featuring the 110kW 2.0-litre and 146kW 1.6-litre turbo from the outgoing model.

The new-gen Kona does migrate to a newer platform; the same 'K3' design beneath the i30 Sedan. The new small SUV is 150mm longer than its predecessor, and rides on a 60mm-longer wheelbase.

Intended to move the nameplate upmarket, the MY24 Kona will feature a pair of 12.3-inch dash screens and N-Line variants for every powertrain. Both petrol-hybrid and full-electric variants will arrive later in the year.