Hyundai Motor has established itself as a super-ambitious operator with a range of zero-emissions high-performance halo ‘N’ products on the way – as previewed by Concept RN22e and N Vision 74.
When it comes to finding inspiration, however, the company’s global CEO Jaehoon “Jay” Chang cited something a bit more traditional in execution – the iconic Porsche 911.
We were fortunate enough to have a quick chat with Mr. Chang, one of the most powerful people in the auto industry given the sheer size of Hyundai Motor, at a recent launch event of the new Ioniq 6 electric sedan.
While he seems understandably proud of the products the company is developing – imagine the secrets he must know – he is also quick to cite the German evergreen performance icon. like something he’s holding on to a pedestal.
He told us: “To build a car like the Porsche 911 not only takes decades, but it also requires an unwavering commitment to improving what most people have come to believe to be a sports car. perfect.
“Holding to one design and not changing things is what makes that car so special. 911 is unchanged. I’m not sure anyone can emulate something like a 911. It’s almost perfect form, until the next one comes out.”
Porsche has been building cars since the 356 was road-certified in 1948, which effectively led to the first 911 in 1964. The company has honed the 911 every year since then into something gets better with each generation.
Mr. Chang continued: “Hyundai Motor is a much younger company but no less ambitious to create great and affordable cars for a much broader market. That’s what the N sub-brand is doing but again, it’s only seven years old, which is remarkable for me.
“We currently have over 14,500 engineers working at Hyundai who are working around the clock to develop the best possible cars in their respective vehicle classes regardless of benchmarks.
“I’m not saying we’re going to build a car to compete with the Porsche 911, but if you look at the two Rolling Lab concepts we unveiled this week, the RN22e and the N Vision 74, you will understand us. He concluded.
The RN22e uses the company’s all-electric E-GMP platform, while featuring the Ioniq 6’s ‘Streamliner’ design, but with proven track performance certification as its goal.
Meanwhile, the N Vision 74 is a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid engine that pays homage to the Hyundai Pony Coupe designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro from 1974. It sends over 500kW of power and 900Nm of torque to the rear wheels. .
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Testing Hyundai Ioniq 5 WOMEN
Before these wild concepts are complete, though, Hyundai will launch the all-electric high-performance N car, the much-anticipated Ioniq 5 N, which sits on 275/35 rubber in both four corners, in 2023. From there in 2024, expect to see a full-fat N version of Ioniq 6.
And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
THAN: Concept models of Hyundai RN22e and N Vision 74 revealed
THAN: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N confirmed to launch in 2023
THAN: Details of Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV 2023, launch time confirmed
