Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Hyundai spent the better part of the last decade proving it takes performance cars seriously, but the Elantra N might be the car that finally made everyone else take Hyundai seriously, too. It's inexpensive, surprisingly fast, wonderfully antisocial when you want it to be, and—perhaps most importantly—has become something of a touring-car hero on the weekends. So, naturally, when Hyundai unveiled the completely redesigned Avante at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show—the car Americans will eventually know as the next Elantra—I immediately wondered what would happen once the N division got its hands on it. These renders are my answer.2027 Hyundai AvanteHyundai2027 Hyundai AvanteHyundaiThe standard car already gives Hyundai plenty to work with. The eighth-generation Elantra trades some of its predecessor's complicated origami-like surfacing for a cleaner, boxier shape, with pronounced shoulders, razor-thin lighting, and a particularly interesting rear end. Hyundai design boss SangYup Lee has also effectively confirmed that something considerably spicier is coming, saying the company is working on its "sportiest Elantra yet," with even wider fenders. That sounds an awful lot like an Elantra N to me.2027 Hyundai Elantra N Concept ArtCole Attisha/Gemini 3 ProThe New Elantra Looks Like It Was Designed For An N VersionMy renders don't attempt to reinvent the new Elantra so much as turn it up to eleven. Up front, the narrow lighting remains, but it sits above a much more aggressive lower fascia with larger openings, an N badge tucked into the grille, and Hyundai N's familiar red accent running around the lower edge. Wider arches give the car a considerably more planted stance, while large wheels and red brake calipers fill some of the visual space they create.2027 Hyundai Elantra N Concept ArtCole Attisha/Gemini 3 ProAdvertisementAdvertisementThe rear might suit the N treatment even better. The production Avante already has a relatively upright, squared-off tail with a full-width lighting signature. Add the current Elantra N's wing—which somehow feels even more at home here—a more serious diffuser, and the N division's signature red accents, and suddenly it starts looking the boy-racer part.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.2026 Hyundai Elantra NHyundaiA 2.5-Liter Turbo Could Change The Elantra N FormulaWhat we still don't know is what's going to happen under the hood. Today's Elantra N uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. It remains front-wheel drive, assisted by Hyundai's electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Perhaps the most interesting proposition for the next car is Hyundai's larger 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.According to CarScoops, former Hyundai N boss Albert Biermann previously indicated that the next-generation Elantra platform had been engineered with the 2.5T in mind. Versions of that engine already produce around 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque in other Hyundai Motor Group applications, meaning an N-specific version could comfortably move the Elantra beyond its current output without altering the boost-happy, analog fundamentals of the Elantra N we've come to know and love.Hyundai Elantra N TCR EditionHyundaiThree hundred horsepower doesn't sound so revolutionary anymore, but that's beside the point. The current Elantra N's appeal has never been that it wins on paper—it's that it genuinely surprises in practice, all for an even more surprising price tag. A stronger 2.5T with a broader torque range, improved cooling and braking tricks learned from the current TCR Edition, and another generation of N's chassis tuning could make a much more meaningful difference. The bigger question is whether Hyundai will integrate electricity.AdvertisementAdvertisementHyundai's performance division has confirmed that it is developing both combustion and hybrid N products, so some form of electrification shouldn't be dismissed. A performance-oriented 1.6-liter turbo hybrid could theoretically reduce displacement while using an electric motor for torque fill, or Hyundai could even pair electrification with the 2.5T for considerably more output. Either approach comes with a problem, though: weight.Part of the current Elantra N's brilliance is that it still feels relatively simple and lightweight. Adding a battery and motor would have to produce enough performance—and enough character—to justify the additional mass and complexity. If Hyundai can keep a six-speed manual alive alongside whatever high-tech version it develops, even better.Shopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.Hyundai Elantra N at NürburgringHyundaiThe Next Elantra N Has Some Big Racing Shoes To FillThen there's the motorsport question. The Elantra N TCR has, over the years, built a résumé that would make even the most prestigious performance badges jealous. Hyundai secured its sixth consecutive IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge manufacturers' championship in 2025, while the Elantra N TCR has won its class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours five consecutive times from 2021 through 2025. Hyundai also took back-to-back TCR World Tour drivers' titles in 2023 and 2024.The current TCR car itself uses a regulation-friendly 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing roughly 360 horsepower and driving the front wheels through a six-speed racing transmission. So even if the street-going Elantra N eventually moves to a 2.5-liter engine or hybrid assistance, its racing sibling doesn't necessarily have to follow. Instead, a next-generation Elantra could give Hyundai an opportunity to evolve the TCR program around the new body's wider stance and aero while strengthening the connection between the showroom car and the race car.2026 Hyundai Elantra N TCR EditionHyundaiHyundai already leaned heavily into that relationship with the Canadian-market-exclusive 2026 Elantra N TCR Edition, complete with forged wheels, upgraded brakes, and an adjustable carbon-fiber swan-neck wing inspired by the race car. Maybe the next Elantra N doesn't need to wait for a special edition to look that serious.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf Hyundai really is preparing its "sportiest Elantra yet," the company has an unusually high bar to clear. But between a potentially larger turbo engine, the possibility of hybridization, and one of the strongest touring-car programs attached to any affordable performance sedan, the next Elantra N has plenty of material to work with. For now, this is what I'd like it to look like.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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