[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its third TCR model worldwide, following the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR, which have achieved outstanding results in the world-class motorsports competition, the TCR (Touring Car Race) series.
On the 26th (local time), Hyundai announced on the 28th that it expanded its TCR lineup by unveiling the Avante (known locally as Elantra) N TCR for the first time in the world at the Beijing Motor Show.
The Avante N TCR is a front-wheel-drive racing car equipped with a 2.0ℓ turbo engine producing a maximum output of 380 horsepower, in accordance with TCR technical regulations, and is scheduled to go on sale by the end of this year. To produce a model with excellent performance and durability, Hyundai conducted rigorous testing over three months starting in June across circuits throughout Europe, collaborating with Gabriel Tarquini, the 2018 WTCR champion and former F1 driver.
The Avante N TCR is a race-only vehicle that cannot be driven on public roads, with racing teams wishing to participate in motorsports competitions as its main customers. Racing teams purchasing the Avante N TCR, scheduled for release at the end of the year, will be able to participate in various TCR competitions held worldwide.
Andrea Adamo, director of Hyundai Motorsport Team, said, "We are very pleased to unveil the Avante N TCR, which has undergone over 5,000 km of harsh testing over three months, to the world for the first time. Through collaboration between racing engineers and designers, we have secured outstanding driving performance and completed a new design never seen before, continuing our success."
Gabriel Tarquini, who participated in the development process, said, "We actively utilized the technology of the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR, which are performing strongly in major TCR competitions, to create this vehicle. The handling is so good that the large body of the Avante N TCR is hardly felt during driving, so excellent results are expected in racing."
Hyundai has proven its superior performance over strong existing competitors such as Audi, Volkswagen, and Honda by winning the overall championship in the highest class global TCR competition, WTCR, in 2018, and securing the drivers' overall championship for two consecutive years in 2019.
Meanwhile, at the Beijing Motor Show held on the 26th, Hyundai also announced plans to release the 2021 model of the Avante N, applying the Avante N TCR technology.
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