Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the ‘Avante N1 Cup Car,’ which will be introduced in the upcoming 2024 season of the largest one-make race in Korea, ‘Hyundai N Festival.’
According to Hyundai, the ‘Avante N1 Cup Car’ was revealed during the final round of the ‘Hyundai N Festival’ held from October 28 (Saturday) to 29 (Sunday) at the Korea International Circuit (KIC) in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do.
The ‘2024 Avante N1 Cup Car,’ which will be utilized in the ‘Hyundai N Festival’ 2024 season, is based on the ‘New Avante N’. This new cup car features wider tires compared to the existing Avante N Cup Car, improving cornering speed and tire durability, along with newly designed wide fenders and front and rear bumpers enhancing aerodynamic performance.
The ‘2024 Avante N1 Cup Car’ was also revealed last week in China. It was first unveiled at the TCR China Zhuzhou Round, marking the debut of Hyundai’s one-make car in China, with plans for the same N1 class to operate there starting next year.
Til Wartenberg, Head of Hyundai N Brand Management and Motorsports Division, stated, “This year, various regional competitors from Europe, Korea, and the U.S. participated in the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race and achieved good results. In upcoming one-make races scheduled in regions like China and the U.S., we will also promote Hyundai’s excellence. We aim to create an environment where more people can enjoy motorsports culture in various regions in the future.”
In the N1 class of the ‘Hyundai N Festival’ finale, driver Kim Kyu-min secured victory, finishing the season in first place, while the DCT Racing Team claimed the overall team title, wrapping up the 2023 season. Drivers Jeong Sang-o and Oh Min-hong won the season titles in the N2 and N3 classes respectively.
The ‘2023 Hyundai N Festival’ consisted of 6 rounds of sprint races and 3 rounds of time trials. The sprints featured ‘Avante N Cup (Pro Class, N1 Class)’, ‘Veloster N Cup (Amateur Class, N2 Class)’, and ‘Avante N Line Cup (Beginner Class, N3 Class)’, while the time trial class was held separately at Inje Speedium in Gangwon-do.
As a guest driver for the finale, Jeff Ricca, who won the 2023 SRO TC competition, a renowned touring car race in the U.S., participated driving the Avante N. Through this collaboration, there are plans to conduct identical specifications of Avante N one-make races in Korea, China, and the U.S. in the future.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr