When talking about Hyundai, it’s hard to associate the South Korean automaker with sportiness. Only the i30 N and Veloster N can be described as such, and as opposed to other hot hatchbacks, Albert Biermann and company decided on catering to drivers instead of those interested in numbers.
Over in Australia, Hyundai and the N performance division took things to the extreme with the iMax N Drift Bus. An eight-seat van with rear-wheel drive, electronically-controlled dampers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and 50:50 weight distribution with eight people on board, the one-off build also happens to be more practical than a sports sedan or performance utility vehicle.
How does 842 liters of space sound to you, more so if you remember the iMax N Drift Bus burns through tires like a hippopotamus charges through water? Impressive as it may be, the Aussie madness doesn’t stop here. Instead of the 2.5-liter CRDi four-cylinder turbo diesel, Hyundai decided to swap the engine for a 3.5-liter V6 with a pair of turbochargers. “Over 300 kW and 555 Nm” are the numbers quoted, translating to 402 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.
Based on the displacement, we believe we’re dealing with a modified Lambda II MPi G6DC under the hood. Naturally aspirated from the factory, this engine can be found in vehicles such as the Santa Fe mid-sized crossover. The Lambda II T-GDi, meanwhile, displaces 3.3 liters and it’s available in cars such as the Genesis G70, G80, G90, and the Kia Stinger with a twin-turbo arrangement.
The bespoke aerodynamic kit, bi-modal exhaust system, N performance brake package, and corner-carving differential are complemented by the N steering wheel, sporty seats with suede inserts and leather bolstering, and black headlining. The transmission might come as a disappointment to those who know how to drift by kicking the clutch, namely an eight-speed DCT that will soon be offered as an option in the i30 N and Veloster N next year.
Even though there are no plans of getting the iMax N Drift Bus into series production, Hyundai of Australia will demonstrate their fruit of labor at the World Time Attack Challenge this weekend. There are three disciplines worth mentioning, as follows: Clubsprint Class (lap times), Flying 500 (acceleration times), and Drifting Cup (as the name implies).
How does 842 liters of space sound to you, more so if you remember the iMax N Drift Bus burns through tires like a hippopotamus charges through water? Impressive as it may be, the Aussie madness doesn’t stop here. Instead of the 2.5-liter CRDi four-cylinder turbo diesel, Hyundai decided to swap the engine for a 3.5-liter V6 with a pair of turbochargers. “Over 300 kW and 555 Nm” are the numbers quoted, translating to 402 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.
Based on the displacement, we believe we’re dealing with a modified Lambda II MPi G6DC under the hood. Naturally aspirated from the factory, this engine can be found in vehicles such as the Santa Fe mid-sized crossover. The Lambda II T-GDi, meanwhile, displaces 3.3 liters and it’s available in cars such as the Genesis G70, G80, G90, and the Kia Stinger with a twin-turbo arrangement.
The bespoke aerodynamic kit, bi-modal exhaust system, N performance brake package, and corner-carving differential are complemented by the N steering wheel, sporty seats with suede inserts and leather bolstering, and black headlining. The transmission might come as a disappointment to those who know how to drift by kicking the clutch, namely an eight-speed DCT that will soon be offered as an option in the i30 N and Veloster N next year.
Even though there are no plans of getting the iMax N Drift Bus into series production, Hyundai of Australia will demonstrate their fruit of labor at the World Time Attack Challenge this weekend. There are three disciplines worth mentioning, as follows: Clubsprint Class (lap times), Flying 500 (acceleration times), and Drifting Cup (as the name implies).