Hyundai reveals RM16 concept

Hyundai says its new RM16 concept offers a glimpse of the future of its N performance range, which will open with the i30N hot hatch next year.

The new RM16 is Hyundai’s third mid-enginedVeloster concept. It evolves the technical thinking of the RM14 and RM15 into a more potent form.

Behind the front seats of the RM16 sits a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine that produces 300hp. This is about 36.5hp more than the predicted output of the i30N, which uses the same basic 2.0-litre motor. The RM16 indicates that the unit could produce close to 304hp in future N performance applications.

The concept uses a six-speed manual gearbox, like its concept predecessors. This emphasises Hyundai’s preference for a manual gearbox in its N cars. The i30N will also feature a manual ’box at launch, although an automatic transmission will be offered as an option in 2018.

The RM16 has an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (LSD) and electric supercharger, which are both said to preview the sort of technology that future N models will employ. The i30N will feature an LSD, but there’s no word yet on whether it could inherit the additional engine boost at a later stage.

The bodywork of the RM16 concept is visually striking. The exterior has been developed to create genuine downforce at speed and includes an activerear wing and carbonfibre-reinforced panels. Hyundai says this also previews what’s to come from the N brand, suggesting forthcoming N models could get track-focused aero and lighter bodywork.

In fact, insiders expect the i30N to be offered with a performance pack that will be focused on track driving and outright performance. The pack could be homologated for road use and applied to a model aimed at setting a Nürburgring lap record, much as Seat did with its Sub8 pack on the record-breaking Leon. This theory is backed by the extensive amount of testing Hyundai has been doing with its i30N at the ’Ring.

Aside from its RM concepts, Hyundai has produced the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept to indicate its intentions for its new performance brand.