The Hyundai Motor Company’s high-performance N brand has successfully completed the Nurburgring 24 Hour endurance race, known as the “Green Hell,” achieving a class victory and finishing for the ninth consecutive year.
Hyundai announced on the 3rd (Monday) that at the ‘2024 Nurburgring 24 Hour endurance race’ held from June 1 (Saturday) to June 2 (Sunday, local time) in Germany, the Elantra N TCR (known domestically as Avante N TCR) took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the TCR class, while the i30 Fastback N Cup Car secured 2nd place in the VT2 class.
For this competition, Hyundai entered a total of four vehicles: three Elantra N TCRs in the TCR class and one i30 Fastback N Cup Car in the VT2 class, with all vehicles successfully completing the race.
Notably, the Elantra N TCR achieved its fourth consecutive victory in the TCR class, showcasing the outstanding durability and performance of the high-performance N brand. The i30 Fastback N Cup Car, competing in the VT2 class, finished in 2nd place while ranking 75th overall.
Since 2016, Hyundai has set a remarkable record by completing the Nurburgring race for nine consecutive years, firmly establishing the technical prowess of the N brand in the eyes of motorsports fans worldwide.
This race also drew attention to various teams supported by Hyundai, including American team participants racing Elantra N TCR vehicles in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Series, and Chinese team members from TCR China participating with their Hyundai N team, racing together with a total of three TCR race cars.
Additionally, Kim Kyumin, a driver who debuted as part of the ‘Hyundai Junior Driver Program’ last December, secured 2nd place in the VT2 class, continuing to showcase his potential for growth on an international stage after his impressive performance in the Hyundai N Festival N Cup.
Till Battenberg, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor’s N brand & Motorsports Division, expressed, “We are very pleased that the Elantra N TCR achieved victory in the Nurburgring race TCR class for the fourth consecutive year. We will continue to strive to provide cars that enrich driving pleasure for our customers by accumulating the technical prowess of the high-performance N brand and engaging in motorsports activities in various regions worldwide.”
Meanwhile, during the race period, Hyundai set up an ‘N-Fan Zone’ booth outside the Nurburgring circuit, showcasing the ‘Ioniq 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec.’, which will participate in the upcoming Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) competition to be held in Colorado, USA on June 23.
The ‘Ioniq 5 N TA Spec.’ is equipped with an 84.0 kWh high-capacity battery and a high-output motor system capable of producing 650 horsepower. The car features a comprehensive motorsport package, including advanced shock absorption systems, 18-inch slick tires, optimized aerodynamic performance, and battery fire prevention systems, supporting drivers to race faster and more safely.
The ‘Ioniq 5 N TA Spec.’ model is adorned with a distinctive ‘N’ design livery, and will be driven by Robin Shute, the victorious driver of the PPIHC four times, as well as Hyundai’s World Rally Team driver Dani Sordo; while ‘Ioniq 5 N’ will see Paul Dallenbach and Ron Zaras, champions of PPIHC eleven times, behind the wheel.
Hyundai also attracted attention by announcing a collaboration with the globally renowned simulation racing game ‘Gran Turismo’, providing visitors at their booth with the opportunity to enjoy virtual racing through simulators, and participating in the Falken Drift Show, offering a variety of engaging events for fans.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr