Hyundai’s Elantra N is the proverbial bad boy in the affordable performance vehicle segment. Its spunky 270 hp four-cylinder engine and race-ready good looks have made it one of the best values in the segment today. But what if you’re a buyer who thinks all of this is not enough and you want something that’s even closer to the track-ready script without the whole process of not making it street-legal?
Hyundai thinks it has found the proverbial middle ground with the all-new Elantra N TCR Edition which adds a new halo model to the Elantra range and also hints at N’s desire to potentially release other special edition models in the near future.
Big wing drives home the point in TCR Edition
A prominent change that buyers will notice on the TCR Edition is the addition of the large carbon fiber rear wing. The wing not only helps improve downforce, but is also fully adjustable allowing drivers to tailor the car to a wide range of track conditions. In addition to the large wing, a sleek set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels are also included and N engineers also upgraded the brakes. It’s not known if the TCR will get the six-speed manual or if it will be only available with the DCT but if Hyundai chooses to include a manual, it would help drive home the point of this special edition Elantra and also make it more fun to drive too.
The interior gets minor changes but TCRs sold in South Korea get a graphics pack that puts an oversized N logo on the sides of the car. It’s not known why Hyundai chose to keep the decals for South Korea only but it could possibly be a decision based on marketing with demand for the U.S. and other markets potentially not being as strong as the company’s home market.
More upgrades are coming?
The TCR Edition will go on sale in 2025 but while the TCR Edition will be a new halo offering for the Elantra as a whole, it could also indicate that Hyundai has big plans for the Elantra N in its next generation. Rumors have suggested that Hyundai is possibly swapping out the boosted 2.0-liter for a bigger 2.5-liter engine which would help the car make more power while also being able to accomadate technology that would help improve its fuel economy.
This would help Hyundai comply with tightening emissions standards and also allow the Elantra to appeal to a wider dragnet of performance buyers. Perhaps a TCR Edition could be in the pipeline for the next generation too. However, Hyundai is so far neither nor confirming these rumors and until the company is ready to reveal more, we g
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.