New Hyundai Elantra N Spied For The First Time

Here's an early look at the next-gen sports sedan, which could debut as early as 2027.

Photo by: 힐러 Healer TV

By: Adrian Padeanu

Oct 15, at 2:15am ET

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Hyundai isn't ready to show its next-generation Elantra N in the buff yet, but that hasn't stopped an early prototype from appearing in South Korea. The sporty sedan was spotted on a car trailer, wrapped in heavy camouflage that hides most of its redesigned bodywork. Still, enough suggests the next N-badged four-door won't be a mild evolution of the current model.

The first notable detail is the wide fenders, which give the prototype a more muscular stance. Spotted by YouTuber Healer TV, the car also sports a thinner, wider front lip, while the chunky rear exhaust tips leave little doubt about its performance ambitions. Then there are the tires: the sidewalls show a 275/30ZR19 spec, suggesting serious rubber for a compact sports sedan.

That tire size is particularly interesting. The current Elantra N already rides on 19-inch wheels with 245-spec tires, but the next model appears to be stepping things up with substantially wider tires. Combined with the flared wheel arches, this suggests Hyundai is widening the track to improve grip and give its next performance sedan a more planted stance.

The Next Elantra N Will Look Radically Different

Of course, the camouflage makes it difficult to judge the finer design details. We'll have to wait for less-disguised prototypes to get a better look at the bumpers, lighting elements, and aerodynamic upgrades. For now, the message seems clear: Hyundai is developing a more aggressive-looking Elantra N.

The more exciting development could be hiding under the hood. Hyundai has already hinted that the next Elantra N will move beyond its current turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, potentially adopting a larger 2.5-liter unit.

Back in November 2023, former Hyundai executive Albert Biermann revealed that the larger engine would fit in the Elantra, adding that he had ensured the project could move forward before leaving Namyang. More recently, Hyundai's performance leadership reiterated its commitment to traditional internal combustion engines, keeping hopes alive for a proper gasoline-powered successor.

For reference, the current Elantra N delivers 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet (392 Newton-meters) of torque from its 2.0-liter turbo-four. Hyundai already uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the Sonata N Line, producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm). In the Genesis G70, the same basic engine makes up to 300 hp. Those figures offer a reasonable indication of what's possible, although the next Elantra N's final output remains unconfirmed.

Next-generation Hyundai Elantra N rendering by Motor1

Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1

Hyundai N Is Working On A New Performance Engine

There's another intriguing possibility. Hyundai has been testing a "next-generation high-performance powertrain" in a prototype at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The company has promised improvements in power delivery, responsiveness, and racing capability while meeting emissions requirements. Whether this new powertrain will make it into the production Elantra N remains to be seen, but it could mean the upgrade goes beyond simply increasing displacement.

Hyundai has already introduced the eighth-generation Elantra in South Korea, where the compact sedan goes by the Avante name. The standard model is longer and wider than its predecessor, providing a promising starting point for a hotter variant. Hyundai's design chief, Sangyup Lee, has also teased an even wider performance version, saying the company is working on the sportiest Elantra yet.

Next-generation Hyundai Elantra N rendering by Motor1

Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1

Hopefully, The Manual Gearbox Survives

We still don't know much, including whether Hyundai will keep the six-speed manual alongside the optional eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. We'd certainly like to see the stick survive another generation, especially if the new car gets a meaningful power boost.

What do you think?

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For now, this trailer sighting offers another encouraging sign that development is progressing. With wider tires, beefier fenders, and the prospect of a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, Hyundai's next sports sedan could become an even tougher rival for hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI.

In a segment where affordable driver's cars are becoming increasingly scarce, that's something worth getting excited about. Expect the wraps to come off sometime next year.