Hyundai may be about to drop one of its most famous Korean model names. According to our industry sources, Hyundai Motor is considering renaming the Avante N, as the Elantra N is known in South Korea, to Elantra N for the next generation, the same name it uses in the rest of the world. The goal would be to take advantage of the huge success of the Elantra N TCR in motorsport. No final decision has been made yet.
Why Hyundai Wants The Elantra N Name In Korea
In South Korea, the Elantra has always been sold as the Avante, and its performance version as the Avante N. But on the racetrack, the car has built its reputation under the Elantra name. The Elantra N TCR has just won its class at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for the sixth year in a row, this time with a single car, the #830 (sixth consecutive Nürburgring win). In the US, it opened the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season with a win at Daytona (Daytona victory), and Hyundai even sells an Elantra N TCR Edition for the road (Elantra N TCR Edition).
Using one global name would allow Hyundai to connect its road car directly to those racing successes in its home market as well, and to build a single, stronger identity for the N brand's best-selling performance sedan.
The Next-Gen Elantra N: What We Know So Far
The name change would come with the all-new, eighth-generation model (CN8), based on the new Avante that premiered at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show with Hyundai's Art of Steel design. After months of testing with modified seventh-generation mules, the first prototype with its production body was spotted in Korea in October (production-body prototype spotted). It revealed:
New 19-inch five-spoke N wheels with Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z tires in 245/35ZR19, with a bespoke "HN" compound developed for Hyundai N.
Larger multi-piston monoblock front brake calipers, a big step up from the current model.
A wider track, sculpted side skirts, a front lip spoiler and a deep rear diffuser with two large exhaust tips.
A center console designed to keep a 6-speed manual gearbox, alongside the 8-speed N DCT.
Inside The New Elantra N
Our first look inside the prototype showed sculpted sport bucket seats and an illuminated N emblem, while the dashboard and center console were still hidden under camouflage (first look inside).
A New 2.5 Turbo From The Racetrack?
Hyundai is also testing new hardware in competition. At this year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the experimental Elantra N1 RP raced with a pre-production 2.5-liter turbo engine, moving up to the SP4T class, and finished on the podium on its debut (2.5 turbo confirmed at the Nürburgring, N1 RP podium). Hyundai has not confirmed which engine the road car will use, but the racetrack is clearly where the next N powertrains are being developed.
When Will It Arrive?
The next-generation Elantra N is expected to debut in late 2026 or the first half of 2027. As usual, it will launch in South Korea first, and that is when we will find out whether it keeps the Avante N name or becomes the Elantra N at home too. Meanwhile, the current model is saying goodbye with the Elantra N Monochrome special edition (Elantra N Monochrome).
What do you think: should Hyundai call it Elantra N in Korea too? Let us know in the comments.
Source: KCB industry sources. Photos: Healer TV.
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