Hyundai Motor’s close to production, i30 N, the first model from Hyundai’s high-performance sub-brand N, entered the second VLN endurance race of the season on Saturday, April 8, 2017. The race was used as preparation for the infamous ADAC Zurich 24-hour race at the Nüburgring end of May where Hyundai Motor will participate with two cars.
The i30 N finished in 85th position overall, out of almost 200 entries, ahead of similar level machinery such as the Renault Clio RS and Toyota 86. The cars that Hyundai Motor entered in the race were both equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission – the same powertrain and transmission set-up that will be used in the production i30 N.
“We want our high performance brand to have considerable racing pedigree so it is important that we compete with minimal modifications,” explained Albert Biermann, Hyundai Motor head of vehicle test and high performance development. “Nürburgring is where the i30 N has undergone much of its testing and chassis development.”
Hyundai Motor has its own 3,600 square metre testing center at the Nürburgring operated by the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center. The technical team based in Germany takes advantage of the Nordschleife’s 73 corners, gradients of up to 17% and a difference in altitude of some 300 meters, in order to perform a host of demanding tests.
