Are Hyundai's N performance models coming to PH?
Is Hyundai considering N vehicles for PH customers?
Yesterday, Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc (HMPH) formally launched its initial salvo of vehicles for the local market. Featuring models such as the all-new Creta, Staria, Tucson, and the updated Santa Fe, the Korean automaker has just put every other brand on notice.
Hyundai has also confirmed the (imminent) arrival of the Stargazer compact MPV, the refreshed full-sized Palisade SUV, and the Ioniq 5 electric crossover. With so many models coming to the Philippine market, Hyundai is wasting no time trying to reclaim its place in the Philippine automobile market.
But there was one thing that we were curious about: Will Hyundai actually bring N models to the country?
Unlike your regular Hyundai vehicles, the N performance lineup consists of souped-up vehicles that are not only quick but also more agile. Think of Hyundai N as the equivalent of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing and BMW’s M. The N stands for Nurburgring. With models like the Elantra N, i30N, Kona N, and i20 N, they could give other high-performance vehicles in the country a run for their money.
Curious, we asked Lee Dong Wook, president of HMPH, if they actually plan to bring the Hyundai N models here in the country. According to Wook, they want to have N in the Philippine market but they will not be considering the N models with internal combustion engines. The reason is cost.
Instead, Wook says they may consider the electric N model for the Philippines in the future. Lee specifically mentioned that they may be looking at the Ioniq 5 N.
Since they will preview the standard Ioniq 5, it does make sense that they will bring in the more powerful variant of the EV crossover. As for exact details or specifications, we’ll have to wait until Hyundai officially reveals it. That's right, the Ioniq 5 N has yet to be unveiled as the company is still developing it.
Should Hyundai actually bring the electric N models into the country, would you get one over the ICE-powered vehicles? And will it signal the arrival of high-performance EVs in the Philippine market? Let us know in the comments.
