Hyundai is going to offer more affordable N performance models in its new lineup of cars, with a huge product offensive set to bring a refreshed lineup for Hyundai Europe in the next eighteen months. 

Xavier Martinet, Hyundai Motor Europe CEO, told Electrifying that “the priority for N should be non-EV. We're running 5 N and 6 N, and we have a very good duo, but they’re quite expensive. We want to keep the affordability, if I can use that word, in the N portfolio.” The Hyundai boss was speaking at an early prototype drive of the Hyundai Ioniq 3, which we can’t tell you about just yet, but even with a clear focus on hybrid N options, it does the beg the question – ‘will there be a Hyundai Ioniq 3 N?’ I had to ask that one, didn’t I?

“When it comes to Ioniq 3 N,” Martinet says, “it’s a question of what the price point would be? And what would be the differentiation between the base vehicle? We will launch with the Ioniq 3 N Line, of course, and we will have to see how the market responds to that.”

Currently, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the new 6 N have established the N performance brand as one of the best out there. It wouldn’t be hard to make a convincing argument that the 5 N and 6 N are the best high performance EVs on sale, given the performance, handling poise and general theatre that they offer in a daily usable package.

But, while they’re fantastic value for cars with supercar pace, they aren’t cheap. And with smaller, more affordable petrol N models like the Hyundai i30 N and i20 N now off sale ahead of a huge product offensive from the Korean brand over the next eighteen months, Hyundai is focussing on more attainable N models.

We don’t have confirmed details on these, but Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Research and Development at Hyundai Motor Group, said that “we are bringing back N cars to the entry lineup, and i20 N is a must for Europe.” Harrer wouldn’t confirm whether a new Hyundai i20 N would be a plug-in hybrid or self-charging hybrid, but it will be electrified in some capacity and won’t be a mild hybrid: “We need efficiency [in electrified powertrains], but mild hybrid isn’t the answer. We have a 48 volt system, but I think this is only relevant now for a very short period of time. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars in the long run? Yes. Mild hybrid, not so much.”

More powertrain details than that haven’t been confirmed, but if I were the gambling types, I’d put money on a new Hyundai i20 N coming in the next year or so with a 1.6 self-charging hybrid powertrain, and lots of fun factor. 

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been a huge success, and more affordable, hybrid N models are set to join it