Hyundai has made it very clear that it wants a large slice of the performance car sector. The Korean company has been steadily rolling out models to add to its N performance sub-brand. Today it increased its offerings as the Hyundai Elantra N debuts.

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“Hyundai Motor’s high-performance N brand constantly aims to provide customers with a range of exciting choices for increased driving pleasure,” said Till Wartenberg, vice president and head of N brand management and motorsport sub-division at Hyundai Motor Company. “Elantra N is the purest expression of our mission to date.”

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New model roll out

Hyundai’s N division released the i30N as its first creation, quickly followed by the Veloster. More recently we’ve seen the Polo GTI-hunting i20N and Kona N. The latter, it was recently confirmed, will be introduced in SA early next year. The Hyundai Elantra N debuts as the very first sedan to wear the N badge. Sadly, Hyundai SA confirmed today that the Elantra N will not be made available locally.

Read more about the upcoming Kona N here.

We have to say that of all the N models we’ve seen to date the Elantra looks the most menacing. The company’s edgy new design language has been amplified with the addition of a touring car style wing, large alloys and red detailing contrasted by the blacked out front bumper and diffuser at the rear. These changes over a regular Elantra will leave onlookers with little doubt of the N’s credentials. Let us know what you make of the styling on our Facebook page.

Familiar powerplant

The Hyundai Elantra N debuts with a familiar power unit. It is the same 2,0-litre turbocharged four as we’ve experienced first-hand in the Hyundai i30N. Maximum power is rated as 206 kW with peak torque of 392 N.m. Depending on the market power is transferred to the pavement through a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai says the Elantra N achieves a top speed of 250 km/h and runs from 0-100 km/h in just 5,3 seconds.

Read our Hyundai i30N driving review at this link.

Helping to effectively transmit that power is an electronic limited slip differential. Other performance goodies on the Elantra N include a variable exhaust valve system, 360 mm brake discs on the front axle, lighter front wheel hubs and additional bracing at various points of the body. Those 19-inch alloys are wrapped in 245 mm wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4S footwear.