The Fading Pure Internal Combustion Engine Fun Car Era
What Will Become of the Avante N?
Albert Biermann’s Remark Draws Attention
The era of pure internal combustion engine fun cars is ending. Hyundai recently shocked enthusiasts by announcing the discontinuation of the i20 N and i30 N in Europe. This is in response to increasingly strict emission regulations.
The Hyundai N brand will be fully electrified in the long run, but efforts to preserve the joy of driving are noteworthy. The Ioniq 5 N, filled with features that mimic internal combustion engines, is a perfect example. So, what will become of the Avante N, which is currently the only internal combustion engine N model? Recent remarks by Albert Biermann, an advisor, are drawing attention.
2.5L Hybrid Installed?
“Technically Possible”
Albert Biermann, an advisor for Hyundai’s research and development, previously hinted at the powertrain of the next-generation Avante in an interview with the Australian automotive specialist media outlet Car Expert last November. He suggested installing a 2.5 L turbo engine instead of the current 2.0 L turbo. He said, “Before I left Hyundai’s Hwaseong Research Institute, I checked to see if a 2.5 L gasoline turbo engine could be installed in the Avante, and it fits well.”
Moreover, Biermann suggested a new possibility in an interview with the Australian media outlet Drive on the 6th. He shared that they are considering introducing a 2.5L turbo hybrid system to the N brand. While it has not been decided which N model it will be applied to, it is technically possible to use it to the Avante N.
First Applied to Palisade
Powerful Even with the Engine Alone
Meanwhile, Hyundai is developing a hybrid system based on a 2.5L turbo engine. They plan to apply it to MPVs and mid-size SUVs such as the Carnival, Staria, and Palisade, for which the current 1.6L turbo hybrid is not powerful enough. The full-change version of the Palisade, which will be released early next year, has been tentatively selected as the first to feature it. If it can be paired with a rear-wheel drive exclusive transmission, it is mentioned that it may also be introduced to the Genesis lineup.
The 2.5L gasoline turbo engine, which is the basis, is currently being applied to various models such as the Hyundai Sonata N Line, Kia Sorento, and Genesis G80. Rear-wheel drive and rear-wheel-based all-wheel drive models can produce up to 304 horsepower, while front-wheel drive models can produce 290 horsepower. The maximum torque is slightly higher than the Avante N at 43.0 kgf.m.
Around 350 Horsepower Expected
All-Wheel Drive May Also Be Applied
Adding an electric motor to the hybrid system is expected to deliver an even more powerful performance. Considering the difference between the 1.6L gasoline turbo engine and the hybrid system based on that engine, an output increase of about 40-50 horsepower is expected. As the output limit of front-wheel-drive vehicles is usually around 300 horsepower, it is inevitable to equip an all-wheel-drive system. The third-generation platform applied to the Avante can accommodate an all-wheel-drive system.
Meanwhile, the 2.5L gasoline turbo specification, previously mentioned, is reportedly under development as planned. Even if a hybrid specification is added to the next-generation Avante N, the pure internal combustion engine specification will likely be the base, with the hybrid as an option. As a specialized design for N models is expected, we can expect much stronger performance and higher fuel efficiency.
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