As for when we'll actually see the cars, they're not saying just yet.
Hyundai is keeping its lineup of N-badged cars going, letting us know that it’ll come to the latest version of their compact sedan. But though the new N Line Elantra sounds pretty fierce, after this preview from the automaker, we’re not quite sure what to expect.
The Veloster N was one of the fun to drive surprises of the year when it launched, no matter what price point you were looking at, but this Elantra isn’t a full N. Instead Hyundai shows it a step lower on the N brand pyramid, between full N and base model.
For 2021, the Elantra N Line sedan won’t be the first car to wear the badge, instead, it went on the Elantra GT in 2019 adding some extra performance to that hatchback as well as some more aggressive looks. It was basically the hatch version of the Elantra Sport sedan.
Like BMW’s M-lite cars (M340i, etc) and the AMG-lite cars from Mercedes (C43 AMG), this Elantra N Line will offer some extra engine performance, some sportier looks, and some more performance chops, without going as far down the rabbit hole as the Veloster N does when compared with the standard Veloster. In other words, don’t expect a bargain M2.
The teaser was short on specs, but Hyundai says that the new car will have “sporty design elements,” as well as powertrain and chassis upgrades versus the standard Elantra shown earlier this year.
While the base Elantra will come with a 2.0L four or a 1.6L four hybrid driveline, no word on what will power the N Line. The previous Elantra Sport was powered by a 1.6L turbo-four making 201 hp, and we’d expect something similar here. Since the new Veloster still offers that engine, it should be available for them to use, with the possibility of that car’s six-speed stick and seven-speed dual-clutch boxes making the jump. It certainly sounds like that zippy four in the video clip Hyundai released.
The Elantra Sport also swapped the sedan’s standard torsion beam rear suspension for a fully independent rear. Since the Hybrid new Elantra is getting an independent rear end, it seems likely the N Line will too.
We can’t see many of the appearance details yet, but if they follow with the brand’s previous practices we’d expect a slightly more aggressive nose with a different grille and front splitter, a rear diffuser and twin tailpipes, and side skirts as well as a rear spoiler. Inside, the Sport got more aggressively bolstered seats and some other upscale interior touches and the N Line will likely see the same tweaks. As for when we’ll actually see the cars, they’re not saying just yet.
Keyword: Hyundai Teases N Line for New Elantra