5 things that make the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N a serious performance car
Published on Jun 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Patrick Jackson
Last updated on Jun 24, 2022 at 2:52 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Hyundai is making waves in the world of performance cars with the seriously cool new Elantra N.
The N division is Hyundai’s performance arm, named after the company’s home in Namyang, South Korea, and the Nürburgring in Germany where each model is honed.
And as you may have guessed, this thing is purpose-built for epic track performance.
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It’s also about as far as you can get from the regular Elantra – or i30 Sedan as it’s called in Australia where we test drove it.
With so many upgrades fitted, we wanted to show you just how Hyundai has made this family sedan a track day beast.
So, here are our five favourite features of the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N.
5. You can customize every aspect of how it drives
When I say you can customize everything, I mean everything.
Go into the drive mode menu in its infotainment system and settings for everything can be adjusted.
This includes the engine performance, steering feel, suspension firmness, transmission shift times, and the sound of the exhaust.
If you want to get extra technical, you can even configure its launch control system to your liking.
You can have two custom modes set up in addition to the four pre-programmed drive modes it offers.
Switching between drive modes is done using two blue buttons on the steering wheel.
Although, naturally, the function of these buttons is able to be changed as well.
4. Enhanced aerodynamics
The first major upgrades you’ll notice on the Elantra N are its aerodynamic enhancements.
Its three-bridged rear wing is one of the most obvious, with this design chosen not just to look cool, but to increase your corner exit speed.
A chunky diffuser with huge exhaust tips has also been added at the rear.
At the front, the grille has been designed to optimize airflow around the radiator.
And there are brake cooling ducts to improve the track performance of its big front brakes.
3. The souped-up turbo engine in the Hyundai Elantra N
The turbocharged engine that powers the Elantra N is an absolute beast.
It may only be a four-cylinder, but it makes some serious horsepower – you’ll find the full specs at the bottom of the article.
The sound it makes is menacing as well.
Every time you let off the throttle, the pops and crackles sound like machine gun fire.
Plus, with the press of a button on the steering wheel, you can activate its special overboost feature to make it even more powerful.
There’s a choice of two transmissions you can have it paired to as well.
For faster shift times and easier daily driving, there’s a rapid eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
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If you prefer a little more engagement, there’s an old-school six-speed manual as well which will even rev matching on downshifts.
Oh, and there’s a manual handbrake to help you do some big drifts.
2. Stiffer chassis and special tires
Hyundai has made sure the chassis of the Elantra N is much stiffer than on the normal model.
Open up the trunk, and you’ll see how obvious the upgrades are.
Painted bright red, there’s a big chassis brace that improves rigidity by 29 percent.
Improving handling even more, are the bespoke tires its riding on.
Hyundai has worked with Michelin to create a unique version of the Pilot Sport 4S just for this car.
How can you tell? It says ‘HN’ on the sidewall of these super grippy tires.
1. The Elantra N gives you data for absolutely everything
In addition to all the drive mode adjustment, there’s a vast array of data the Elantra N’s screens can display.
Everything from G-force to oil temperature to turbo boost to throttle input is all able to be displayed.
That means you can easily keep an eye on everything before pushing it harder on the next lap.
You can even add racetrack maps to the sat nav system and it will track your lap times.
That right there is how you know the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N is built for the track.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N specifications
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
- Power: 276hp (206kW) @ 5500-6000rpm
- Torque: 392Nm (289lb-ft) @ 2100-4700rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or 8-speed dual clutch, front-wheel drive
- 0-100km/h (0-62mph): 5.3 seconds
- Top speed: 250km/h (155mph)
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A car zealot from a young age, Patrick has put his childhood spent obsessing over motoring magazines and TV shows to good use over the past six years as a journalist. Fuelled by premium octane coffee, he’s contributed to Finder, DriveTribe, WhichCar, Vehicle History and Drive Section.
