Hyundai N high-performance brand celebrated its fifth consecutive victory in the TCR class at the iconic ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, reaffirming its dominance in global endurance motorsport. This year also marked Hyundai’s 10th straight appearance at the grueling 24-hour race, known worldwide as the “Green Hell”for its extreme test of engineering, speed, and stamina.
ELANTRA N TCR Delivers One-Two Punch in TCR Class
At the heart of Hyundai N’s success was its formidable lineup of two ELANTRA N TCR race cars (known as AVANTE N TCR in Korea). These vehicles secured a commanding 1-2 finish, once again proving the durability, agility, and high-performance capability of Hyundai’s N brand.
Led by a talented German driver trio—Marc Basseng, Manuel Lauck, and Christer Joens—the ELANTRA N #1 took first place. Hot on their heels was ELANTRA N #2, driven by the North American team of Bryson Morris, Michael Louis, Mason Filippi, and Robert Wickens, who achieved a well-earned second place finish.
Robert Wickens Inspires with Resilient Return
A standout moment from the race was the inspiring return of Robert Wickens, who raced using a custom hand-control system. The paraplegic Canadian driver, sidelined in 2024, returned to competition with unmatched spirit and elite performance. Wickens’ participation exemplifies Hyundai’s belief that motorsport is for everyone with the passion to drive.
ELANTRA N1 Cup Car Debuts in SP3T Class
Hyundai also made its debut in the SP3T class with the all-new ELANTRA N1 Cup car. Unfortunately, the promising run was cut short after 17 hours due to a rear-end collision with another competitor, forcing the vehicle to retire. Despite the setback, the debut provided valuable data and experience that will inform the future development of N brand performance vehicles.
A Decade of Technological Advancement at the Green Hell
Since Hyundai N’s debut at the Nürburgring in 2016, the team has used the challenging 25.378-kilometer Nordschleife circuit as a testbed to refine production-based N models. Every race at the Nürburgring helps Hyundai gather critical performance and durability data, directly contributing to the innovation seen in road-going N vehicles.
“We are elated with our fifth straight victory in the Nürburgring TCR class and our 10th consecutive year of participation,” said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management Group. “This endurance race reflects our unwavering commitment to motorsport and our high-performance heritage.”
Hyundai and Toyota Showcase Motorsport Collaboration
In an inspiring show of unity, Hyundai and Toyota collaborated by co-hosting a joint booth at the 24h Nürburgring event. The display highlighted both brands’ shared vision of performance innovation and fan engagement, extending the camaraderie from their previous collaboration at the Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival in Korea and the 2024 WRC finale in Japan.
Conclusion: N Brand Continues to Redefine Motorsport Excellence
With another dominant TCR win and a decade of Nürburgring participation under its belt, Hyundai’s N brand continues to push the boundaries of high-performance technology. From breakthrough engineering to inclusive racing, Hyundai N stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and global collaboration in motorsport.
