Before launching the Elantra N in North America, Hyundai made it clear that its primary competitors are the Honda Civic Type R and the Subaru WRX.
The Elantra N offers less power than the Civic Type R and lacks the all-wheel drive transmission that the WRX has. On a more positive note, the Korean sedan should be more affordable than the Japanese duo. We say ‘should’ because prices remain to be revealed.
Hyundai believes that one-third of the buyers in the United States will go for stick shift, while two-thirds will prefer eight-speed DCT. The target audience predominantly consists of young males, including those who had never considered buying a Hyundai car before.
The Hyundai Elantra N debuted last month powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine maxing out at 290 PS (286 hp / 213 kW). It needs 5.3 seconds for the standard sprint exercise, benefits from an upgraded transmission and chassis, and features a rather aggressive exterior with a sporty cabin and a new infotainment unit.
