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Hyundai performance boss hints at an Ioniq Electric N

There have been rumblings about what's next for Hyundai's N performance brand, and its chief has just dropped a big hint: a souped-up electric vehicle. Maybe an Ioniq Electric N hatchback? Sure sounds like it. Automotive News got Albert Biermann, head of vehicle testing and high-performance development for Hyundai and Kia, to spill the beans. "When we think of cars after 2021 for N, I think we cannot avoid electrification," he said. "We will have an EV sooner or later. It's just a matter of timing." Hyundai's N brand is still in its relative infancy. The Veloster N will be the only model available in the U.S., and it doesn't go on sale until later this year. It joins the Europe-only i30 Fastback N and i30 N hatchback, the former of which debuts in October at the Paris auto show and hits showrooms in Europe by the end of the year. Biermann said a fourth N model was already in his long-term budget and could be an SUV, which aligns with previous reports suggesting it could be either a 247-horsepower Kona N or a 271-hp turbocharged Tucson N. An electric N would be a surprise fifth model, and it could happen soon. "There's a car within the next two or three months that we probably have a chance to show to Vice Chairman Chung (Eui-sun) and our top management," Biermann told Automotive News. "Depending on what is the current mood and situation, we might get a spontaneous 'OK, go for it.'" The Hyundai Ioniq Electric boasts a 136 MPGe rating and a driving range of 124 miles from its 28.0 kWh battery. But it makes only 118 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque, so an N version would presumably upgrade those latter figures. By way of comparison, the Veloster N, which goes on sale later this year, delivers 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the specs on the standard Veloster are 147 hp and 132 lb-ft for the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 201 hp and 195 lb-ft for the 1.6-liter turbo-four that powers the Turbo model. Biermann suggests an electric N would have an improved battery, bigger motor and inverter with more power. If Biermann's abbreviated timeline projection holds true, it sounds like we'll know more soon. Related Video:

First hydrogen Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs arrive in California

These crossovers are not available in showroom quite yet, but the first batch of Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles has made it to California. Hyundai is promising retail availability, "within the next several weeks," which means early June or so for the $499/month CUVs. We previously heard in January that these hydrogen-powered Tucsons were supposed to be in US customers' hands by the end of March, so things are running behind schedule. Still, the delivery at a port near Los Angeles marks the "first delivery of a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the US market," Hyundai says, which could be a big deal when we look back at the evolution of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the US (though we're guessing at least one other manufacturer might object to the Korean automaker's claim). Mike O'Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America, is certainly upbeat, saying in a statement that Hyundai is "proud of our leadership role in this important segment of the alternative fuel vehicle market." So far, that's a segment that the company has almost all to itself. There are a very small number of hydrogen vehicles around today, including the Honda FCX Clarity and a few test vehicles from other automakers, but the numbers are set to grow next year when Toyota and Honda introduce new hydrogen sedans. For now, though, Hyundai can make a splash simply by bringing these vehicles to our shores. Hyundai's First Mass-Produced Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs Arrive In Southern California Tucson Fuel Cell, the Next-Generation Electric Vehicle, Arrives at Port Hueneme With Retail Availability Soon PORT HUENEME, Calif., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at a port near Los Angeles, Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs began rolling onto U.S. soil, marking the first delivery of a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the U.S. market. The first retail sale of the Tucson Fuel Cell is expected within the next several weeks in Southern California. Under the Hyundai leasing program, approved lessees can drive Hyundai's next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for just $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and "At Your Service" valet maintenance at no extra cost. For the first time, retail consumers can now put a mass-produced, federally-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in their driveways, with availability at three select southern California Hyundai dealers: Tustin Hyundai, Win Hyundai in Carson, and Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim.

Hyundai cranks the Tucson to 700 hp for SEMA

The annual SEMA Show doesn't kick off in Las Vegas until Nov. 3, but Hyundai is getting an early start by teasing another collaboration with the talented tuners at Bisimoto Engineering. Following up on their high-performance takes on the Sonata, Genesis Coupe, and Elantra GT of past years, the attention turns to the Tucson. Now that the crossover packs over 700 horsepower, Bisimoto prefers to describe it as a "Brute Ute." To crank that much power out of a Tucson, the tuners perform quite a long list of modifications to Hyundai's 2.4-liter Theta-II four-cylinder. Among them, the mill gets strengthened internal parts, a new cam, high-boost turbo, and updated management system. Bisimoto then routes the grunt through a six-speed manual gearbox. The tuners match the massive power with an appropriately wild look. Up front, the normal grille is gone, and now all that's visible is a massive intercooler. The blue Tucson also hunkers low over 19-inch wheels thanks to a custom air suspension, and bigger brakes should help slow things down at high speed. The interior also gets outfitted with an upgraded stereo, and there's now a roll cage in there, too. While only being shown currently in the sketch above, we expect to get all the angles at SEMA in November. Bisimoto Engineering's First CUV is the Most-Powerful Tucson Ever FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 21 2015 –Hyundai has revealed the most-powerful 2016 Tucson ever created, built by the powertrain gurus at Bisimoto Engineering for 2015 SEMA. Partnering for a fourth straight year, Bisimoto's "Brute Ute" will be revealed at Hyundai's SEMA press conference on November 3 at 11:30 a.m. PT, in Las Vegas. Utilizing Hyundai's 2.4-liter "Theta-II" power plant as the starting point for the build, similar to last year's 2015 Sonata, Bisimoto mated strengthened internals with fast-burning flex-fuel, a high-boost turbocharger and an upgraded engine management system to put down more than 700 horsepower to the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. This rendition of the 2016 Tucson was built with the ultimate vision of packing world-beating performance and technology into a brand-new, unexpected vehicle platform. "The 2016 Tucson was the perfect platform for this year's build, offering me the opportunity to captivate a wider audience by tapping into the growing popularity of the CUV market," said Bisi Ezerioha, owner and chief engineer, Bisimoto Engineering.