Don't fret! Hyundai is still going to build non-electric Ns for the foreseeable future

This is not goodbye. Not yet.

The head of Hyundai’s N division has confirmed that while the future for Hyundai N is electric, customers looking for affordable petrol-powered performance cars from the brand aren’t going to be left out in the dark.

The company has just announced the Ioniq 5 N will launch in the first half of 2023, and it also showcased a new all-electric ‘rolling lab’ concept model in Korea this week, the RN22e - which, quite frankly, is a thinly-veiled concept of a future Ioniq 6 N.

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Till Wartenberg, vice-president and head of brand management for Hyundai N, told CarsGuide at an event in Korea this week that the brand will continue to develop new petrol-powered N models in the future - so, the advent of the EV performance model range from N doesn’t spell the end of new, conventional performance cars from the brand.

Phew.

“Of course, Hyundai wants to be very sustainable - this is what the future brings, and what the future needs, the world needs,” said Mr Wartenberg. “But as long as market demand and customers and regulations leave it possible, I believe we don’t say ‘goodbye’ to a combustion engine yet.

“The transition started a long time ago. I think we’re fully on the direction of becoming sustainable - battery electric, or hydrogen electric. There is no turning back,” 

However, he made it clear that the brand isn’t just going to flick the switch to electric overnight - it will continue to offer a blend of N products across the spectrum, so long as they live up to the brand’s three-pillar philosophy of being a 'Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sports car'.

We asked if the fork in the road could perhaps confuse customers. But Mr Wartenberg said the roads will ultimately take different ways to the same destination.

“The message is not confused, because our three pillars of the N Performance, we want to keep very clear and pure. It’ll be a different extension in EV than ICE (internal combustion engine) but it will still be the same,” he said.

“We are proud of the people that are driving N now, so honestly, we don’t want to give them only electrified high performance Ns from tomorrow. They love the Ns they’re driving now, they will love the Ns that are coming afterwards,” said Mr Wartenberg, referring to the legions of dedicated fans that have made N the fastest growing performance brand in the world.

“They will always be affordable, but at the same time they have a different price point,” he said.