Refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Launched Globally, Celebrates N Brand Anniversary

Some people might have a sensation of déjà vu, and it's best to address that immediately. This is not the first time we see the updated 2024 Hyundai Elantra N – instead, the company organized a 'soft' launch in China back in April at the 2023 Auto Shanghai event, where it also presented the all-new, first-ever Mufasa compact crossover SUV.

Now, after you make the Lion King connection and throw a LOL out in the open, let us get swiftly back to the global launch of the refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra N – a model also known as Avante N in South Korea and as i30 Sedan N in Australia. So, there's 'double trouble' on September 15 – Hyundai N's anniversary and the reveal of the Elantra N, which also comes complete with a "performance film featuring actual vehicles owned by N enthusiasts."

The first-generation Hyundai Elantra appeared as a member of the compact car family back in 1990. Seven generations have passed since, and after turning into the 2021 North American Car of the Year, the four-door sedan also became a little feistier with the introduction of the Elantra/Avante/i30 Sedan N model. Since then, according to Hyundai, their feisty Elantra N has become "a favorite 'hot sedan' of driving enthusiasts and helped to accelerate the N brand's spread into the United States and Australia."

Derived from the Elantra N TCR, which was crowned king of its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race in 2021 and 2022, the new Elantra N boasts the "evidence of our commitment to bring motorsport-winning DNA into our road cars for N fans to enjoy," according to Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company.

Now, let's discuss each improved chapter one by one. Ride and handling updates include reinforcements to the engine mounts, "G-bushing reinforcement for improved yaw response and steering precision," plus slight changes to the rear suspension via a new S/ABS insulator material, which switched from rubber to urethane. The Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS) hardware has also been revised.

The steering system is also said to be more direct and with improved steering feedback, while new, better cooling doesn't affect the car's aerodynamic performance. Braking is aided by the front bumper's new air guide and the updated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software. However, the 2.0-liter turbo inline-four remains the same, complete with 280 ps (276 hp) and 392 Nm (289 lb-ft) of max torque, and only the software was reprogrammed to take advantage of high-octane gasoline better when present in the fuel tank.

Visually, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N packs all the changes already seen in the Chinese model, while inside, the N-specific elements include the steering wheel and shift knob, instrument cluster, and infotainment system interfaces, plus the N light sport bucket seats with illuminated logos.