Hyundai i30 N 2.0L Turbo development car completes gruelling Nürburgring 24h Race.
- Hyundai Motor conducts successful test for the i30 N development car at the Nürburgring.
- Experience gained under demanding motor racing conditions will be integrated into future high-performance N production cars.
- Hyundai Veloster 1.6 Turbo finishes first in SP2T class and 64th overall.
Hyundai Motor’s i30 N development car successfully completed its first motor racing appearance in the Nürburgring 24hrs at the legendary Nordschleife. The race, held at the most demanding race circuit on earth, served as an intense test-bed for the new, performance-orientated engine that will be fitted to the brand’s first N model.
“The endurance race at the Nürburgring is the toughest race in the world,” said Albert Biermann, Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development. “It’s the perfect environment for testing the resilience of our new turbo-charged two-litre engine under extreme strain.”
The direct-injection turbo-charged engine at the heart of the development vehicle coped with the strains of the 24h Race. This is an important finding for Hyundai Motor and the development of future high-performance engines.
“We are on a very good way regarding the design of our first N vehicle. In the process of designing high-performance engines, the highest possible horsepower output is not the top priority. Instead, the engineers focus on maximum driving pleasure and driving fun without compromising the every-day-usability,” added Mr Biermann.
In addition to the 2.0L turbo development drivetrain, many components of the i30 were adapted for racing at the gruelling Nordschleife; suspension and shock absorbers were enhanced, as well as wheels, steering, fender extensions and safety features required to meet racing regulations.
In addition to the important findings that will be incorporated in the design of future Hyundai engines, the race also proved to be a major success from the motor racing point of view. The i30 N development car outpaced quite a number of the other 159 cars that contested the endurance classic. The development vehicle took the chequered flag after 24 hours in 90th position in the overall rankings. Altogether, drivers Bruno Beulen (BE), Michael Bohrer (DE), Alexander Köppen (DE) and Rory Pentinnen (FI) completed 91 laps of the track, a distance of 2,309.39 kilometres at racing speed, with a fastest lap time of 9:55.636 minutes.
All three Hyundai cars contesting this year’s event managed to complete the 24 hour race, with the Veloster 1.6L Turbo once again finishing first in its class, following on from its 2014 class win. This is the third year in succession Hyundai has finished first in the SP2T class at the legendary Nürburgring 24hrs.