New passenger-hauling SUVs? Lifestyle pickups? Promises about affordable, self-driving EVs? You won’t find any of that trash here – this cut-down, lightweight, massively powerful EV is for people who still want to drive.
If you’re sick of posh, quiet SUVs built around their infotainment screens and a bunch of weird nerds calling a pack of soulless golf carts shuffling around a movie without steering wheels a utopia, Hyundai N’s absolutely unhinged RN24 concept might just be for you.
Powered by the PE system from IONIQ 5 N’s E-GMP platform the RN24 is the Group B S4 to the upcoming IONIQ 5 XRT‘s ever so slightly more civilized Delta HF Integrale. It’s not a car, in the sense that it’s not really meant to shuttle people and things from point A to B – but, while it may not haul groceries, it surely hauls ass.
“RN24 exemplifies Hyundai N‘s commitment to advancing electric motorsport technology by prioritizing the driving experience rather than spec numbers,” Joon ParkVice President of N Brand Management Group. “This Rolling Lab proves that there remains untapped potential for high-performance EVs and with new technologies ahead, there is much to look forward to.”
Continuing that rally theme, the RN24 features an 84 kWh battery pack that retains the production XRT model’s energy capacity, but allows for a 340 mm shorter wheelbase. That brings the racy concept down to B-segment size … comparable to the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid World Rally racer.
The concept’s torque-vectoring drivetrain is also comparable to i20 N Rally1, this setup helps optimize the distribution of torque to all four wheels. The performance of the i20 N Rally 1’s mechanical technology is simulated by RN24’s ‘Rally Mode’ electronics, delivering similar performance in a way that’s more cost-effective (read: “realistic”) for future production cars.
The RN24’s chassis, too, boasts a specially designed, rally-style suspension setup with rally-spec dampers and high-rigidity subframes, while a pair of massive aluminum coolers up front and a towering rear wing tie up the concept Hyundai’s “Unlimited Class” aesthetic.
Hyundai knows what’s up
While the concept of cutting a car down to its essence to unlock performance has been the hot-rodders’ way since the first T-bucket V8 rolled out of some drunken moonshiner’s garage, the Hyundai N RN24 concept does it in a way that manages to be forward looking, with a few retro-future touches that would feel as appropriate in a modern version of Ridge Racer as they would in a for-real racing car.
The LEDs are right. The hundred function steering wheel is right. Everywhere you look, Hyundai did the RN24 concept right.
It’s got the look
That said, Hyundai did make a few questionable choices that take away from the RN24’s otherwise impeccable track cred.
For starters, Hyundai fitted the RN24 with an external high-output sound system featuring two outward-facing side speakers in addition to IONIQ 5 N’s N Active Sound+ setup. Hyundai says the vehicle’s soundtrack is “augmented by a rear fender design that acts as a soundbox, enhancing the sound experience and creating an immersive soundtrack for fans that complements the vehicle’s high-performance capabilities.”
I like to think the fans are there to see real racing, experience real thrills, and decidedly not to hear fake engine noises synthesized through speakers, but no one asked me.
That’s OK, though – because I can ask you. What do you think of Hyundai’s latest track-focused concept car? Is it enough to steal the show, distract everyone from Elon’s crazy rants, and spoil Scout’s big reveal? Head down to the comments and let us know.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Hyundai.