The Hyundai Tucson compact SUV could be the next car to get the high-performance N treatment, according to Hyundai N head Albert Biermann.
Biermann, who previously served as the head of BMW’s M division, told Drive that the manufacturer currently has plans for two more N cars to join the range after the new i30 N hot hatch.
First among those is believed to be the Tucson, which would tie in nicely to the current trend for sporty SUVs and crossovers, as popularised by cars like the Audi RS Q3.
The Tucson would also be the easiest Hyundai SUV to give the sporty treatment, given that’s relatively small, compact and light compared to its larger siblings.
As well as the Tucson, the second car believed to get an N variant will be the i20 hatchback, which is virtually a given seeing as Hyundai currently campaigns it’s i20 in the World Rally Championship.
Hyundai’s N performance sub-brand was officially launched at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and aims to rival the success of performance wings like Mercedes’ AMG and BMW’s M brand.
By capitalising on its motorsport experiences, the manufacturer says it can change the pace and perception of its entire brand and create a range of “striking and pioneering” performance cars.
The first car to wear to the N badge will be the upcoming i30 N, which is in the final stages of its development and which is due to arrive in the UK early next year.
Following the release of the i30 N, Hyundai will bring out a three-door coupe-style version of the same car before turning its attention to other models in the range.