Hyundai previews the ultra-aggressive 2021 Elantra N Line we all knew was coming
Hyundai's N division is something of an overnight success, with the performance-sub brand's first offering, the i30 N, instantly smashing stereotypes of how a Hyundai drove when launched in 2017. In fact, it was so convincing, it led to another line of less-hardcore Hyundais, conveniently named the N Line. And the newest member is Hyundai's next-gen 2021 Elantra N Line sedan, which certainly looks aggressive enough to wear that badge with authority.
The seventh-gen Elantra, revealed earlier this year, was already a huge departure from the current facelifted model on sale in India. Based on the new K3 platform, the 2021 Elantra is a marginally larger car than before, and takes the brand's Sensuous Sportiness design language up a notch. Adding a layer of what Hyundai calls Parametric Dynamics, the Elantra's a canvas for bold surfaces and intersecting lines.
The N Line model brings with it larger 18-inch wheels and tweaks to the grille and bumpers, with subtle side skirts added for good effect. With the signature N Line grille replacing the cheese-grater grille on the regular Elantra, the arrowhead-shaped inserts in the air dams help substantiate an otherwise low and pinched-looking front end. At the rear, twin exhaust exits and a new diffuser complement the full-length LED lighting making for a wide and squat look. N Line accents in gloss black can be found around the car, while the dark interiors will likely have red accents, again in N Line tradition.
No mechanical details have been confirmed, except for a hint at larger brakes and chassis upgrades on the Elantra N Line. We do know, however, that power will come from a turbocharged engine, likely the 1.6-litre with 204PS and 265Nm torque, mated to a 7-speed DCT or 6-speed manual. While Hyundai has said that it's evaluating N division products for India, it's more likely we'll see the toned-down N Line in some form, though it'll probably be the volume models that will get the spiced-up treatment first.