Hyundai's commitment to performance is alive and kicking, even as the automotive industry leans heavily into electric vehicles. While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has garnered rave reviews for its exhilarating performance, and the anticipated Ioniq 6 N promises to follow in its electric successor's footsteps, the Hyundai N division is not ready to phase out combustion engines just yet.

Joonwoo Park, vice president and co-founder of Hyundai N, revealed to Auto Express that the brand will continue to embrace traditional combustion-powered models, signaling a significant stance amid the electrification trend. He emphasized the enduring legacy of models like the i20 N and i30 N—popular hot hatchbacks in international markets that rely solely on combustion engines. He remarked that Hyundai N is "not stopping there," indicating a strategic pivot toward hybrid technology while keeping the spirit of the combustion engine alive.

Park elaborated, "There won’t be hybrid models from competitors in the future... building that sort of car could give us an advantage." This statement points towards Hyundai’s ambition to carve out a niche in the performance hybrid segment, potentially outpacing rivals who may abandon the internal combustion engine completely.

In line with this vision, head of Hyundai N, Till Wartenberg, previously affirmed that the performance division would continue to innovate with combustion models “as long as regulations allow.” The exploration of hybrid technology appears to be well underway, as Hyundai's chief test driver, Alex Eichler, disclosed that development teams are in the "pre-development of hybrid systems." Nevertheless, Park expressed some apprehension about hybrids, particularly due to concerns about added weight, referencing the hefty BMW M5 as an example.

While there are discussions surrounding the i20 N and i30 N, the lineup also includes other gasoline-powered models like the Hyundai Elantra N, which is popular in the U.S. market. As competition heats up, particularly with Honda looking to electrify its Civic Type R, it raises the question of whether Hyundai will also pursue an electrified variant of the Elantra N in the future.

As for the timeline regarding the introduction of hybrid N models, Hyundai hints that we could see these vehicles by the latter part of 2027—an anticipation that spans at least two years. With the automotive landscape continuously evolving, it will be exciting to observe how Hyundai navigates this transitional phase and holds its ground in the performance sector.

In a world increasingly moving towards electric performance, Hyundai's strategy to balance combustion and hybrid technologies could very well redefine the future of its enthusiast-oriented N division. Buckle up, as it seems the journey is just beginning!