DOSSIER

HYUNDAI

High-performance sub-brand reinforces the company's commitment to zero-emission technologies

Hyundai's high-performance N sub-brand unveils its vision for electrification to demonstrate the company's commitment to future-oriented, zero-emission technologies.

The RN22e and N Vision 74 are inspiring examples of this vision. These two 'labs on wheels' demonstrate Hyundai Motor's ambition to become one of the leaders in this future of zero-emission mobility.

In these 'laboratories on wheels' Hyundai Motor tests and verifies the company's most advanced technologies for application in future production models. The RN22e combines the best of the new IONIQ 6 with the company's Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) while setting a new standard in high-performance electric vehicles. For its part, the N Vision 74 combines the technology of electric cars with an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system, which makes it the first rolling hybrid hydrogen laboratory for Hyundai N. The company will explore in this prototype the concept of 'fun behind the wheel' in the age of electrification.

Both the RN22e and the N Vision 74 will continue to be tested and verified by Hyundai engineers so that future N road vehicles can equip their advanced technologies.

Hyundai N's vision for electrification...Since the 2017 launch of its first high-performance road model, the Hyundai i30 N, the N brand has pushed the limits of high-performance driving to help customers discover how fun it can be to drive. The brand's motto is 'Never just drive' because getting from point A to point B should never be boring. Even in the future of electric mobility, the N brand works to stay true to its three pillars: corner eater (machine tuned and perfectly balanced in corners), circuit capability (all N models are built to perform on the track) and sporty for everyday life (for everyone and for any need, not just for circuit or road days).

Here's the RN22e: a look at the future electric N...The RN22e delivers race-ready performance thanks to the tuning and optimization of Hyundai's E-GMP platform and streamliner design based on the IONIQ 6. As Hyundai's first wheel lab N developed on the E-GMP platform, the RN22e shows the vision and direction of the N brand in the field of electrification while opening up the possibility of commercializing a high-performance electric model in the future. The prototype owes its name to the fact that it is the rolling laboratory of the N brand developed in 2022 with electrical resources.

The RN22e has been tested to maximize the three pillars of the N brand, starting with the 'curve eater'. N-brand engineers have continued to develop cornering performance since its launch. To this end, they have made available to users technologies such as the electronic limited slip differential (e-LSD) and the mechanical Torsen Corner Carving differential, available on most N models. torque vectoring by means of a double clutch. In addition, 3D printed parts reduce weight and maintain rigidity for better cornering attack. Equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), the RN22e provides an optimized distribution of torque according to different driving modes, which allows drivers to distribute the amount of torque to the front and rear wheels.

In order to improve the RN22e's on-circuit capability, engineers focused on cooling and braking to improve endurance. The RN22e offers circuit-optimized settings that allow customers to enjoy the track without losing performance. With four-piston monoblock calipers and 400 mm discs, the RN22e can perfectly withstand the weight of its electrical system. In addition, Hyundai N will use the RN22e to study how it can deliver dynamic motion with regenerative braking that precisely controls skids and cornering attack.

The RN22e plays a very important role as a rolling laboratory for the development and verification of the most advanced technologies that will arrive in the next electric models of the brand N. Aware of what the most demanding drivers demand, engineers are developing new features with the aim of providing an emotional driving experience in the brand's future electrified models. The RN22e offers innovations such as N Sound, which generates sound from both the interior and exterior speakers for a more dynamic driving sensation. In addition, the N e-shift technology adds to the N Sound's sensation of loudness when changing gears. As it is a laboratory on wheels, where Hyundai N continuously develops its latest technologies, these emotional driving experiences will continue to be developed in different ways on the RN22e so that drivers can select their own level of fun.

Adapting the streamliner design of the IONIQ 6, the RN22e takes advantage of the aerodynamic characteristics of Hyundai's new electric car. In addition, to maximize performance, Hyundai N has added racing-inspired details. Thanks to a low ground clearance, the Hyundai N was able to give the prototype a broad and robust appearance. Keeping the design of the IONIQ 6, the lower part of the bumper has been redesigned to increase sportiness and improve the attractiveness of the front. This functional aesthetic allowed the RN22e to improve cooling and aerodynamics.

With dimensions of 4,915 mm in length, 2,023 mm in width, 1,479 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, the RN22e will continue its development thanks to the brand's experience in the world of competition. The goal is for Hyundai to be able to adjust and perfect its advanced technologies over the prototype to launch an electric N model on the streets using the potential of the E-GMP platform.

This is the N Vision 74...Inspired by Hyundai Motor's heritage, the N Vision 74 is a high-performance hydrogen fuel cell hybrid lab on wheels that underscores the company's leadership in sustainable performance technologies. The N Vision 74 is inspired by both technology and design, rooted in the N brand's vision of sustainability announced in 2015 and Hyundai's passion for high performance since 1974.

In terms of design, the N Vision 74 pays homage to the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept developed by legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. This concept would later become prototypes for the design of Hyundai's first production sports car. Although in the end it didn't make it to production, his sassy attitude set the agenda for the entire company.

The N Vision 74 inherits the pure surfaces, dynamically proportioned profile and unique B-pillar of the Pony Coupe from 1974. This design heritage joins the era of electrification and high-performance driving to shape the N Vision 74. , lighting using parametric pixels adds a futuristic touch to the set.

The N Vision 74 embodies the bold attitude of the Pony Coupe Concept in forward-looking design, while reinterpreting the interior as an entertainment space without losing the pure architecture of the Pony Coupe. It is equipped with a driver-centric cockpit with a mix of legacy and modern design elements, such as the combination of digital instrumentation and analogue buttons.

With dimensions of 4,952 mm long, 1,995 mm wide, 1,331 mm high and a wheelbase of 2,905 mm, it is the first high-performance lab on wheels built with the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell system created by Hyundai N. But it's not the first time that the N brand has worked on fuel cell technology. The N Vision 74 is also inspired by the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo prototype, unveiled in 2015 coinciding with the launch of the N brand to envision what a hydrogen-powered high-performance future would look like.

Just seven years later, Hyundai N presents the N Vision 74, with which it sets out to go even further and make its passion for ‘fun behind the wheel’ and imagination a reality. Hyundai engineers developed a hybrid structure that combines an electric battery with a hydrogen fuel cell system placed in a completely new arrangement. By combining a fuel cell system and an electric battery to propel the vehicle, cooling efficiency is improved. In addition, the two energy sources can be used depending on different driving conditions. This system allows for better torque distribution, as it uses twin engines at the rear, which provides a more precise and sensitive cornering experience. Furthermore, the N Vision 74 exploits the balance between performance and cooling with a three-channel cooling system.

High performance technology is fully integrated into the design to meet fuel cell system heat management requirements. With a functional aesthetic, the N Vision 74 strikes an excellent balance between cutting-edge technology and iconic design. Along with long-distance driving and quick refueling capabilities, the N Vision 74 guarantees fun behind the wheel with a sustainable energy source thanks to the application of cutting-edge technologies.

History and future of Hyundai's on-wheel labs...In 2012, Hyundai embarked on Project RM to showcase its expertise in developing new technologies. Through this project, the company develops and connects the new high-performance technologies of the competition with the future N models. The project name (RM) refers to the configuration of the rear and center drive propulsion system of the 'Racing Midship' prototype. The fundamental difference of this design provides an ideal balance of handling and agility starting from a low polar moment of inertia.

From the beginning, the RM series has progressively evolved to include the RM14, RM15, RM16 and RM19 models. The RM platform facilitates a rolling engineering laboratory to test high-performance technologies at all speeds and in all driving conditions. Through exhaustive tests, RM models validate technologies, allow us to observe the effective increase in their performance and improve them for their application in future N models.

Two years ago, Hyundai introduced the new generation of the RM20e competition sports car. Within the RM series, the RM20e has become the first high-performance battery electric vehicle. For the first time, Hyundai was able to apply the potential of zero-emission propulsion systems to its high-performance cars.

Hyundai N has unveiled its new series of wheeled labs under a different name to set a new standard in the next generation of high-performance vehicles. Both the RN22e and the N Vision 74 are being tested to maintain the three N pillars of high performance: maximizing its on-track capability, its everyday sportsmanship and its 'corner-eating' qualities. The N brand will also stay true to its philosophy in the age of electrification.

The first big step will be the launch of Hyundai Motor's first N-branded electric model, the IONIQ 5 N, which will hit the world market in 2023. More details about this first electric N will be revealed later.

Inspired by competition...Competition is considered the birthplace of the N model line. For Hyundai's Motorsport division, success is defined in broader terms than simply winning races and winning titles; it's also about developing independent expertise and collecting data that can be shared with the company to enable Hyundai to make better cars. Thanks to its experience in competition, these advantages are transferred to street vehicles.

It is a two-way relationship between competition and production cars. The best elements of each vehicle are used to improve the next one. This knowledge transfer has a direct impact on N models of production. New technologies are tested in competition, such as the i20 N, inspired by the i20 Coupe WRC rally car. Everything Hyundai learns from racing feeds back into the R&D process to develop the next Model N or other projects. Participation in the ETCR demonstrates Hyundai's passion for sustainability also in the realm of high performance.

In line with its vision of 'Progress for Humanity', Hyundai is accelerating its electrification efforts to deliver cleaner mobility solutions and a more sustainable future. Pushing the boundaries of high-performance electrified cars, Hyundai demonstrates its ability to meet the challenges of tomorrow and ushers in a new era of fun behind the wheel with the utmost respect for the environment.

Autonews