Electrification possible for Hyundai N and Genesis

HYUNDAI Motor Group (HMG) executives have confirmed that electrification could feature in the future of the N Performance division and Genesis luxury brand following the debut of the group’s all-new E-GMP electric vehicle platform.

Speaking to international media this week, HMG head of research and development Albert Biermann revealed work was already underway on an E-GMP-based high-performance concept vehicle and that electric N Performance variants were also under consideration.

“We are working already on vehicle concept with high performance and we are also considering like really Hyundai N high-performance cars and as you know, we’re already working for quite some time on eTCR racecar,” he said.

“We have been testing already the whole year and next year we start racing in eTCR, so we are working on this for quite some time and preparing for a very emotional battery-electric driving experience in Hyundai, but also maybe in Kia and also in Genesis.”

The high-performance E-GMP vehicle in question is tipped to develop almost 450kW of power and sprint from 0-100km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, potentially giving HMG a viable rival to the Audi E-Tron GT range – possibly even the RS E-Tron GT – as well as the related Porsche Taycan, not to mention the Tesla Model S.

Based on what we now know about the E-GMP platform, the car would sport dual electric motors, be all-wheel-drive and potentially be able to be recharged from 0-80 per cent in just 18 minutes.

“We are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency,” Mr Biermann said.

A battery-electric N Performance model meanwhile would launch Hyundai’s performance division almost into a league of its own in offering what would have to be the most accessible performance EV this side of a Tesla Model S, perhaps joined only by the recently confirmed Mini Electric JCW.

Electric power for Genesis meanwhile could elevate the luxury brand from a slow-selling alternative to the established German marques into a full-on competitor, not least because of its briskly growing line-up.

A BEV version of the GV80 could stand toe-to-toe with the BMW iX and Audi E-Tron while an electric G80 would serve as a credible rival for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE and electric BMW 5 Series.

The recently announced GV70 SUV meanwhile would face off against the established Mercedes-Benz EQC as well as the Jaguar i-Pace

Only time will tell whether or not an electric N or Genesis model comes to fruition with HMG primed to launch 23 new EVs by 2025, starting with the Ioniq 5 SUV and an as-yet-undetailed Kia SUV.