It looks like the 2024 Acura Integra Type S won’t just be competing against its sister car, the hot Honda Civic Type R. During the 2023 Shanghai Motorshow, Hyundai released news that the new Elantra N is coming, now poised to be more “motorsports inspired” than its 2023 version. They certainly tied it in with their 2023 TCR World Tour motorsports effort by having it displayed side by side with Mikel Azcona’s championship winning car.
When we last tested the Hyundai Elantra N, it was during our 2023 Performance Car of the Year Awards where it quickly garnered praise. Mike Floyd, our editorial operations director, said it was “more fun than it has any right to be.” Frank Markus said it was “a fun little beastie” and a “red-hot bargain,” while Jonny Lieberman said it was “without question the surprise of the finalist round” with a “stone-cold performance bargain.” Finally, Miguel Cortina said the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N was “everything you want and need at a price you can afford.”
The only problem was it was competing against a heavy favorite, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R and, of course, eventual winner the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Now, it seems, Hyundai is banking on its TCR experience to make the 2024 Elantra N even better and should serve as a warning to the Type R and 2024 Acura Integra Type S.
Details are slim, but the outside of the 2024 Elantra N is definitely more aggressive than the 2023 version. The front fascia has completely changed and the mouth-like front end has vanished. A slim upper grille is separated from the taller lower grille by a dark trim piece that carries into the side vents on the front quarter panel, which looks visually similar to the 2023, but appears to be flush with the fender rather than slightly open and losing its horizontal aero strakes. It also still has a set of side vents to either side of the lower grille, but these look to be more multifunctional for both brake cooling and guiding air around the front tires. It also appears its integrated front splitter is slightly more proud of the apex of the grille.
The biggest departure is its front headlights. While it still extends into the front fender, the cut line and shape of the turn signal no longer follow the upper fender/hood line. There is now space between it and hood and creates a very different looking front design while its side profile is equally altered due to its lights and new grille design. The side profile, however, remains the same through the body and greenhouse, but reaching the rear of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N we see more changes.
The tail lights, trunk, and rear spoiler remain the same, but the lower fascia is now different. The red side sill treatment now extends into the rear bumper, making this outline surround the ground effects of the car. The black portion of the rear fascia has also evolved, starting as a small straight line just behind the rear tire before angling up to meet the rearmost body crease line. It then cuts straight across the rear bumper with two new red reflectors situated below. The rear diffuser appears to have a different profile, with a less aggressive slope that also affects the length of the strakes that straighten out the rear air profile. The massive looking rear exhaust tips remain the same in both size and location.
Hyundai tells us they will have more information on the 2024 Elantra N very soon, which will detail any changes to its powertrain and transmission. For now, we can only appreciate this bargain performance sedan from the images and video shared on social media.
Read the full article here