Mid-Engined Hyundai Prototype Spotted in Race Car Camouflage at Nürburgring
Air intakes on the rear window panels hint at something more exotic under this Veloster N TCR’s shell.


Looks like Chevrolet and its C8 Corvette aren't the only non-exotic brand to take the mid-engined plunge. It's been understood for a while now that Hyundai is working on a mid-engined halo car for its N performance sub-brand. It looks like development is ramping up because spotted lapping the Nürburgring is what appears to be a test mule with its powerplant behind the passenger compartment.
Skip to around 0:45 to see the Hyundai prototype.
At first glance, the car might appear to just be a Veloster N TCR racer, but look closely and you'll notice that it's got a huge pair of air intakes where the rear windows would otherwise be—intakes that would only be necessary if the engine was in the back and therefore aren't present on the real Veloster N TCR.
Previous reports have pegged the upcoming Korean performance flagship as a hybrid, rumors seemingly confirmed by Hyundai's $90 million investment into Croatian electric hypercar maker Rimac back in May. In addition to Rimac's electrified performance know-how, Hyundai has recently poached lead Ford Focus RS engineer Tyrone Johnson and Lamborghini Murcielago designer Luc Donckerwolke to reportedly help put the mid-engined exotic together.
Another project Hyundai might've been working on here is the all-electric race car scheduled to debut in Frankfurt next month; however, its internally combusted engine noise leads us to think otherwise.
If this really does turn out to be Hyundai N's road-going halo car, oddball Lamborghini Huracans won't be the only mid-engined exotics gracing Hyundai dealership floors.
MORE TO READ
Related
Why Is There a 2019 Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 For Sale at a Missouri Hyundai Dealership?
Surrounded by Elantras, a lone Lambo sits idle.
Related
Hyundai to Debut Its First-Ever Electric Race Car at 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show
The automaker released a teaser video of the model, which could boast Rimac-developed powertrain tech.
Related
Hyundai Taps Hypercar Maker Rimac to Develop Electric Sports Car
A new sports EV and a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle will be the first to come from the collaboration, Hyundai says.
Related
2020 Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sedan Debuts in NYC With All-New Styling, Cutting-Edge Tech
Despite the catfish-cyborg front end design, this could easily be the best-looking sedan in the market. Period.
Related