---
title: "The Hyundai RM19 Prototype Proves That Mid-Engined Halo Sports Car Is in the Works"
description: "All aboard the mid-engined Hyundai hype train."
date: "2019-11-20"
modified: "2019-11-20"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/31106/the-hyundai-rm19-prototype-proves-that-mid-engined-halo-sports-car-is-in-the-works"
categories:
  - "Hyundai News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Hyundai"
---

# The Hyundai RM19 Prototype Proves That Mid-Engined Halo Sports Car Is in the Works

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/11/Large-39453-HyundaiRM19-1-e1574180833255.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Spied [lapping the Nürburgring back in August](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29504/mid-engined-hyundai-prototype-spotted-in-race-car-camouflage-at-nrburgring>), the mid-engined Hyundai RM19 racing prototype is finally being unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. And as everybody suspected, the Korean automaker is using it as a testbed for a potential flagship supercar.

With RM standing for "Racing Midship" and a turbocharged 2.0-liter situated behind its seats, the RM19 is said to serve as "a development platform for future N brand products, including a potential brand-halo car." Hyundai says it offers "supercar-level" handling and leaves room for electrification in the future. Earlier in the year, [Hyundai teamed up with electric supercar maker Rimac](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27993/rimac-gets-90m-investment-from-hyundai-and-kia-for-high-performance-ev-development>) with the intention of developing an electric sports car of some kind.

![message-editor%2F1574189847468-39444-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574189847468-39444-hyundairm19.jpg>)
**Hyundai Motor America**

"The RM19 sports car signals future brand aspirations for Hyundai’s [high-performance N brand](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/28844/2019-hyundai-veloster-n-vs-2019-vw-golf-gti-comparison-review-two-hot-hatches-blitz-the-track>), solidly moving N into the prestigious arena of supercar-level performance," said Hyundai product head Thomas Schemera. "Hyundai N will not only increase heartbeats per minute via powerful internal combustion engines but also through the instantaneous torque and environmental sustainability of electrified powertrains moving forward."

![message-editor%2F1574189888305-39369-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574189888305-39369-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574189893325-39380-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574189893325-39380-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574189897612-39391-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574189897612-39391-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574189903096-39419-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574189903096-39419-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574190036665-39372-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574190036665-39372-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574190042788-39387-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574190042788-39387-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574190050889-39428-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574190050889-39428-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574190056769-39418-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574190056769-39418-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

![message-editor%2F1574190061691-39433-hyundairm19.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1574190061691-39433-hyundairm19.jpg>)
*Hyundai Motor America*

The [Veloster TCR](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/30048/electric-hyundai-veloster-n-etcr-sings-the-racecar-electric>)-shaped prototype makes 390 horsepower and can do zero to 60 in less than four seconds. Hyundai also says its rear-wheel-drive RM19 boasts "racecar-like levels of performance, balance, braking, and grip while retaining daily road-going capability."

Up until this point, the fabled mid-engined Hyundai supercar hasn't been much more than a rumor. With all the company's talk of supercar-level this and mid-engined racer-level that, it sounds like the exotic super-Hyundai is [all but confirmed](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31012/hyundai-santa-cruz-pickup-officially-greenlit-for-us-market-will-be-built-in-alabama>).

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)