HYUNDAI RELEASE THIRD TCR MODEL

Hyundai release third TCR model – Photo: Supplied

Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed its third model designed for the TCR touring car regulations this time based on the Elantra N.

By HEATH McALPINE

Revealed at late weekend’s Beijing Motor Show after three months and 5000km of testing, the Elantra N TCR will participate in market-relevant series across the world, similar to the sister Veloster N in the US.

“After three months of testing and development work I am very happy to finally be able to reveal the Elantra N TCR to the world,” said Hyundai Motorsport team principal Andrea Adamo.

“Staging the first public showing of the car in China shows our global plans for the cars to strengthen Hyundai Motorsport’s in race series around the world.

“By starting with a clean sheet of paper the Customer Racing department designers and engineers have been able to take advantage of the opportunity to further improve all-round performance of the car, as well as use all of the knowledge and experience gained from two years of racing with the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR.

“The Elantra N TCR will join them in our range of available TCR cars, and I am confident that it will share the same level of success. We have already made great progress in developing the chassis with a number of different drivers to create a strong overall package for our customers to allow them to continue the success of Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing in TCR competition.”

Hyundai Motorsport engineers started with a blank sheet of paper to design the Elantra N TCR, but also drew on the previous experience gained from developing the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR.

As per the TCR regulations, a two-litre turbocharged engine is partnered with a six-speed, paddleshift gearbox sending power through the front-wheels.

Work is ongoing in developing the Elantra N TCR for sprint and endurance formats, while factory Hyundai TCR drivers have been involved during the process, led by multiple touring car champion Gabriele Tarquini.

“As a driver the Elantra N TCR felt a very nice car to drive, even from the first tests,” explained Tarquini.

“I’ve already been able to complete a lot of laps in the car in testing, driving both the sprint and endurance versions, which are being developed together. Straight away the added experience that Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing had from the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR really showed – and we were able achieve good progress in developing the new car from the start.

“There are lots of small changes which customer teams and drivers will really appreciate, such as improvements in the steering system over the previous cars.

“Clearly the Elantra N TCR is much bigger, but the handling means that behind the wheel you cannot notice the difference. It is still quite early in the testing for the car, so there is still plenty of opportunity to further hone the chassis and create a strong package for customers to race.”

Customer deliveries are expected to begin at the end of this year.

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