The 276-horsepower 2022 Hyundai Elantra N has made its official North American debut, ushering in the next chapter of the Korean automaker’s performance sub-brand in Canada.
This is a performance car, so let’s get right into what matters: the engine. The Elantra N gets its power from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, which doles out 276 horsepower from 5,500 to 6,000 rpm and 289 lb-ft of torque from 2,100 to 4,700 rpm. A standard performance exhaust with variable valves gives the 2.0L motor more definition and, with the valves fully open, delivers the "pop" and "crackle" elements that so many drivers seek these days.
A standard six-speed manual transmission sends power to the front wheels through Hyundai’s trick "N Corner Carving Differential." Performance-obsessed drivers will want to opt for the quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, however, which equips the compact performance sedan with the oddly named "N Grin Shift" transmission setting. This enables a temporary overboost function that raises the engine’s max output to 286 horsepower for up to 20 seconds at a time. With the eight-speed transmission-equipped and N Grin Shift enabled, the Elantra N is able to achieve a claimed zero-to-100-km/h time of about 5.3 seconds and an impressive top speed of 249 km/h.
Standard ventilated performance brakes measuring 360 mm in the front and 314 mm in the rear give the Elantra N best-in-class braking performance, Hyundai says, while larger front brake ducts ensure the rotors stay cool during track days and spirited backroad drives. The brakes hide behind lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels, which are shod in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires – a first for the N sub-brand.
Inside, the Elantra N will come standard with N sport seats and an N sport steering wheel. Models equipped with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission will also get paddle shifters and an N Grin Shift button on the steering wheel, allowing the user to quickly enable the compact’s high-performance drive mode. The infotainment system also gets its own N-specific graphics and menu pages, including a track setting that displays the boost pressure, oil temperature, and other important info side-by-side.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N will join the Hyundai Veloster N in the Korean automaker’s performance product portfolio next year. Canadian market-specific information with regard to pricing and availability has yet to be divulged.
You may also like
