Hyundai Tucson is next for N-ergising

A hot ’N’ version of the new Hyundai Tucson will be light, sporty and offer a different look to the cooking versions.

Hyundai’s N sub-brand is not restricting output merely to electric cars. Now that car makers are offering a range of powertrains for each model, there’s no reason why the N division shouldn’t diversify either.

Right now, it is working on a series of lightweight hybrid offerings. The latest is the Hyundai Tucson N, following on from the recent reveal of the electric Ioniq 6 N.

Read our review of the Hyundai Tucson N-Line Limited.

Joon Park, vice president of the N Management Group, told AutoExpress recently: “We’re not limiting ourselves to EVs.

“We will go further with the ICE-based cars as well; this is not the end of our journey.

“I cannot tell you exactly but lighter, more agile, nimble, and exciting. These are the key elements that we are heading to.”

Headlining the range of new petrol-powered vehicles will be a circa-225kW version of the new Tucson N. Expect it to be based on the “next-generation” 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid system. With an electric rear axle it will be an all-wheel drive vehicle.

Park did also mention that Hyundai has a range of different hybrid systems, for varying degrees of power versus efficiency.

He added: “If we have a hybrid system in our N cars, the strategy will be different; to have more power intensely.”

The Tucson is evidently just the starting point for N’s transition to hybrid tech. With downsized powertrains, the company’s go-faster division is considering wild electrified versions of Kona, i20 and i30.

“If we can make a smaller model with a light battery, then it can be better,” he said.