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Hyundai is gearing up for the launch of its new N-branded high-performance models by entering two prototype i30 N models in the VLN 24hrs at the Nurburgring. The VLN (Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring if you were wondering...) is usually used as a warm up event for the prestigious ADAC 24hrs race at the 'Ring, which is held in May.
Hyundai already has the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre at the Nurburgring, so the cars will be essentially competing on home turf. They'll be equipped with Hyundai's new 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine which is expected to have a production output of around 250hp. Both the engine and the six-speed gearbox used in the racing cars will be identical to the production version, so this will be a stiff test for Hyundai's first ever European performance model.
Albert Biermann is in charge of the N project at Hyundai, and he knows his stuff - he's a former BMW M GMbH chief. He told us that: "we want our high performance brand to have considerable racing pedigree so it is important that we compete with minimal modifications. Nurburgring is where the i30 N has undergone much of its testing and chassis development."
Hyundai's plans for a more sports-oriented image got a big boost at the weekend when the new i20 World Rally Car took its first win of 2017 on the Rally Corsica.