Hyundai Motor’s high-performance N sub-brand revealed N Vision 74, a ‘rolling lab’ concept that demonstrated Hyundai Motor’s ambition to become a leader in the zero-emissions future. Now, Hyundai filled a trademark at the European Union that could gave us some hype about a future mass production model.
Hyundai Motor’s ‘rolling labs’ are where it tests and verifies the company’s advanced technologies to apply them to future production models. RN22e melds the all-new IONIQ 6 and the company’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E‑GMP), while setting a new standard in high-performance EVs. Meanwhile, N Vision 74 combines EV technology with an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system, making it Hyundai N’s first hydrogen hybrid rolling lab to explore ‘driving fun’ in the electrification era.
RN22e and N Vision 74 play an important role in the strategic development of our entire product lineup, especially our electrified, high-performance vehicles. Rolling labs represent the continuous development of our most advanced technologies. This unique approach makes us ready for the challenges of the future by empowering us to push ourselves to the limit.
Thomas Schemera – Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Division at Hyundai Motor Company
Both RN22e and N Vision 74 will continue to be tested and verified by Hyundai’s engineers, so future N road cars can be equipped with their advanced technologies.
Hyundai N’s vision on electrification
Since launching its very first high-performance production road car in 2017, Hyundai i30 N, N has pushed the limits of performance to help customers discover how fun driving can be. The brand claim is ‘Never just drive’ because getting from A to B should never be boring. Even in the electric future, N brand pursues its three pillars: corner rascal (tight, perfectly balanced cornering machine), racetrack capability (all N models are built to perform directly on the track) and everyday sportscar (for everyone and every need, not just track days and highways).
In just seven years, Hyundai N has become the fastest evolving performance brand. N is moving forward to set new standards in sustainable high performance. We enthusiastically start this new chapter of electrified high-performance and will pursue this goal by using our creativity, engineering expertise and competitive spirit.
Till WartenbergVice President of N Brand Management & Motorsport Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Company
History and Future of Hyundai rolling labs
In 2012, Hyundai embarked on Project RM to showcase its expertise in developing new technology and innovation. Through this project, the company develops and connects new high-performance technology from motorsport with future N models. The name of the project refers to the N prototype model’s ‘Racing Midship’ rear-drive, midship powertrain configuration. The fundamental difference of this design provides an ideal balance of handling and agility from a low polar moment of inertia.
Since its initiation, the RM series has progressively evolved to include RM14, RM15, RM16 and RM19. The RM platform facilitates an engineering rolling lab to test high-performance technologies while connecting to the tarmac at all speeds and driving conditions. Having undergone progressively extensive testing, RM models validate advanced technologies, observe their effective increase in performance, and improve them for application in future N models.
Two years ago, Hyundai introduced the next-generation electrified RM20e Racing Midship Sports Car. Within the RM series, RM20e was the first high-performance BEV. For the first time, Hyundai was able to apply the potential of zero-emissions powertrains to its high-performance cars.
Hyundai N has unveiled the new series of rolling labs under a different name to set the new standard of next-generation high performance. As the N brand continues to pursue its three pillars of N performance, RN22e and N Vision 74 are being tested to maximize racetrack capability, its everyday sports car characteristic and ‘corner rascal’ features. N will also stay true to its philosophy in the era of electrification.
As the initial big step, Hyundai Motor’s first electric N, IONIQ 5 N will hit the global market in 2023. More details about the first EV N will be unveiled later.
These rolling lab projects are great assets to prepare the N’s electrification vision turning into reality, the IONIQ 5 N next year.
Till Wartenberg – Vice President of N Brand Management & Motorsport Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Company
Inspired by motorsport
Motorsport is considered the cradle of the N model lineup. For Hyundai’s Motorsport division, success is defined in broader terms than simply winning races and earning titles; it also exists to develop independent knowledge and collect data that can be shared with the company to enable Hyundai to build better cars. With its motorsport background, these benefits are transferred to consumer vehicles.
It is a two-way relationship between motorsport and production cars. The best elements of each type of car are used to improve the next. This knowledge transfer has a direct impact on Hyundai’s future N production models. New technologies are tested through motorsport, like the i20 N. The award-winning N model was inspired by the i20 Coupe WRC rally car. Everything Hyundai learns from motorsport is fed back into the R&D process to develop the next N model or performance project. The participation in ETCR implies Hyundai’s passion for sustainable high performance.
In line with its ‘Progress for Humanity’ vision, Hyundai is accelerating its electrification efforts to offer cleaner transportation and a more sustainable future. By pushing the limits of electrified high-performance cars, Hyundai will be prepared for tomorrow’s challenges and heralds an era of sustainable driving fun.
