We got a glimpse of it in the teasers and official renders released earlier in the year, and now, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line has finally been revealed in full.
- Elantra N Line sports unique styling elements
- Powered by a 204hp, 1.6-litre turbo-petrol
- Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT
So, what are the key things to know about the spiced-up Elantra N Line? Let’s get right into it.
What is the Hyundai Elantra N Line and what makes it different?
This is the first time Hyundai has come up with an N Line version of the Elantra. For the uninitiated, an N Line version is not a full-blown N model. Somewhat similar to BMW's M Performance models, Hyundai’s N Line cars are a step up from the standard car in terms of styling and performance, but are not as extreme as full-fledged N models.
Given the already-aggressive and in-your-face design of the standard new-gen Elantra, Hyundai had to make just a few changes to add more visual punch for the N Line model. Unique to the Elantra N Line are a blacked-out grille with an N Line badge, arrow-shaped air intakes, a gloss black finish for the ORVMs and side skirts, 18-inch dual-tone alloys, a subtle faux rear diffuser and chrome-finished twin tailpipes.
On the inside, the Elantra N Line gets N sport seats and steering, contrast red stitching for the leather upholstery, memory function for the driver’s seat, an electronic parking brake, alloy pedals and a drive mode selector. There’s a 10.25-inch screen for the instrument display, and a second, similarly-sized screen for the infotainment system, with lower-spec models getting a smaller 8.0-inch infotainment screen and an instrument cluster combining sporty analogue dials with a 4.2 inch LCD display. A Digital Key function – which enables owners to unlock the car using their smartphone – is also on offer.
What are the performance upgrades on the Hyundai Elantra N Line?
The big difference with the Hyundai Elantra N Line is under the hood. Powering it is a 1.6-litre Smartstream turbo-petrol engine that produces 204hp and 265Nm of torque. In what will be welcome news for enthusiasts, gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddleshifters.
Additionally, Hyundai has also equipped the Elantra N Line with a stiffer suspension and larger front brake discs, and there will also be an N performance parts catalogue with more options for those who’d want to further customise the Elantra N Line.
What Hyundai has also confirmed is that it will unveil an N Line version of the new Sonata later this year, which will be powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.
Is the Hyundai Elantra N Line likely to come to India?
In the past, Hyundai has flirted with the idea of bringing its performance-oriented N brand to India, but hasn’t gone through with it yet. It is unlikely Hyundai will introduce the new Elantra in India anytime soon, with the midlife update for the current-gen car having arrived only late last year. That said, Hyundai did launch the current-gen car in India just 16 months after bringing in the facelift for the outgoing model in international markets.
And in what is an encouraging sign for enthusiasts, Hyundai India has introduced a turbo-petrol engine option for most of its models, including the Grand i10 Nios, Aura, Venue, Verna and Creta, and is also expected to offer a forced induction unit on the new-gen Hyundai i20. It remains to be seen if Hyundai chooses to introduce the Elantra N Line in India, but even if it does, its launch will likely follow the standard Elantra, which won’t be here before 2021.
Think the Elantra N Line would be the ideal candidate for Hyundai to introduce the N sub-brand to India? Let us know in the comments.
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