- Hyundai has unveiled a new special edition of the performance-focused Elantra N.
- While it boasts a massive carbon-fiber wing, it doesn’t come with any engine upgrades.
- It goes on sale next month in South Korea, with a global rollout planned for early 2025.
The Hyundai Elantra N has already made a name for itself in the otherwise dull compact sedan segment, blending a spirited 286 hp turbo engine, sharp handling, and a manual gearbox option – all starting at a reasonable $34,000. Now, Hyundai’s N division is dialing up the theatrics with the Elantra N TCR Edition, a special model inspired by its Touring Car Racing (TCR) World Tour sibling.
Named the Elantra TCR Edition, it’s pitched as a love letter to track enthusiasts, sealed with an oversized rear wing that’s impossible to ignore. But before you strap on your racing helmet, let’s address the elephant in the paddock: there are no major performance upgrades here, including anything under the hood.
Track Looks, Everyday Appeal
The TCR Edition’s showpiece is the enormous Carbon Swan Neck Spoiler, an adjustable aerodynamic wing designed to boost downforce at high speeds. While it’s unlikely to help you assert dominance over grocery carts in the parking lot, it promises to keep the rear end stable for those who actually take their cars to the track.
More: Hyundai Elantra N Owner Gets A Ticket Over Stock Exhaust, Police Says To Sue The Dealer
Other enhancements include lightweight 19-inch N TCR forged wheels, which reduce unsprung weight for sharper handling, and upgraded N Performance monoblock brakes with four-piston calipers for improved stopping power. South Korean models will also receive exclusive TCR Edition decals, which won’t be available elsewhere.
Inside, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with Hyundai’s Performance Blue top marker is joined by matching seat belts and scattered TCR Edition badges. These touches add some flair, but otherwise, it’s standard Elantra N territory.
Same 2.0L Turbo Engine
Unfortunately, the TCR Edition doesn’t bring any mechanical surprises. It’s powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the standard Elantra N, producing 276 horsepower, or 286 hp with Hyundai’s cheekily named “N Grin Shift” overboost, along with 289 lb-ft of torque.
More: Hyundai Denies $10K Warranty Repair For Elantra N, Blames Owner For Over-Revving
If this is all Hyundai N has to offer (and there are no hidden surprises), the Elantra N TCR Edition feels more like a marketing exercise than a genuine performance special. Its upgrades, while functional, are minor, and much of what’s new could easily be replicated with off-the-shelf aftermarket parts.
Global Sales
The new special edition will launch in South Korea this December, with global markets following in 2025. With Hyundai set to appear at next week’s LA Auto Show, we might see the TCR Edition make its global debut, though this remains unconfirmed.
