Hyundai Announces Stop Production Of ICE-engined N Cars In Europe, Focuses On High Performance EVs

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. (Doc. Hyundai Motor Group)

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is Hyundai's only high-performance Hyundai electric vehicle sold globally. The possibility of a new high-performance EV like Ioniq 5 N seems to be just a matter of time.

Reporting from Carscoops, Monday, February 26, Hyundai has decided to stop the production of N cars fueled by gasoline in Europe. This is in line with the company's commitment to present a exhaust-free product line in 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

This decision certainly surprised fans of high-performance gasoline-fueled cars. However, with the increasingly massive electrification trend, Hyundai's move could be a long-term strategy to adapt to changes in the global automotive industry.

In the future in Europe, Hyundai will develop Hyundai N as a high-performance EV pioneer. Our customers will benefit from technological developments that will make electric vehicles more attractive in the future," the company wrote.

Currently on the blue continent, the N division still sells a number of combustion engine models, consisting of i30 N which includes rivals from the GTI VW Golf and Ford Fiesta ST whose production has been stopped. Then, the brand also sells i20 N as an agile high-performance hot hatch.

Hyundai i20 N has a 1.6 liter engine that can spur up to 201 dk of power. Meanwhile, i30 N has a larger engine with a capacity of 2.0 liters of turbocharged which is capable of pumping 247 dk and 276 dk of power by offering a manual transmission of six accelerations and dual-clutches.

However, this move will not affect N activity in North America, where i30 and i20 models are not marketed. Meanwhile, Kona N has stopped its sales in the US in 2023 and Ioniq 5 N has not yet been launched. This means that currently, Elantra N is the only N-fuel gasoline model available in North America.