Hyundai N Boss Wants More Affordable Performance EVs

Hyundai N's technical advisor has confirmed that the automaker's N division intends to produce more affordable electric performance vehicles.

When asked whether the South Korean company plans to offer a cheaper N car, Albert Biermann responded positively: «of course, we would like to do that.»

Speaking at the Australian launch of the Ioniq 5 N, the former head of R&D said,"[Hyundai N is] intensely looking, what do we have in the pocket and how do we make a fun machine out of what we have? This process [has been] going on intensely for quite some time because, for me, the most important thing is to come up with this smaller, more affordable [electric] N car."

While the ICE-powered Elantra N has an appealing base price, the Ioniq 5 N is expected to carry an MSRP upwards of $60,000 — out of reach for most enthusiasts. Of course, Hyundai N is limited by what the larger company does.

Hyundai N builds its vehicles on existing models and platforms. If Hyundai doesn't offer a cheap electric vehicle as a starting point, there's nothing for the N division to work on. Outside of America, the more compact i20 N and i30 N models provide customers with compact and relatively affordable (albeit ICE-powered) N models. It's worth noting these vehicles were axed in Europe as the brand has chosen to focus on electric products.

However, Biermann suggested we could see a concept previewing the small-performance EV. «We need this smaller segment N car, and for the rest of my term with the Hyundai Motor Group, this is my absolute priority number 1 to come up with a concept for a car or two cars… where we can deliver the true N car in a more affordable segment but with the same level of fun or even higher level of driving fun,» added Biermann.

The Ioniq 6 N has already been previewed as the RN22e concept but has yet to come to fruition.

Hyundai has expressed interest in a small and affordable electric vehicle, but we don't think the proposed Casper EV would qualify for the N treatment.

While the automaker's current crop of EVs is underpinned by the e-GMP platform, future models will utilize the sophisticated Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) that will be used for 31 new models from