As the development phase of the Hyundai i30 N, the company’s first proper high-performance model under the ‘N’ sub-brand, comes to an end the last and biggest challenge gets underway. The company has entered two close to series production Hyundai i30 N models in the grueling Nurburgring 24h endurance race.

The i30 N’s finishing of the Nurburgring 24h will be the final seal of approval that the high-performance, motorsport-oriented hatchback is ready for launch in the second half of 2017. Just make sure they have done everything correct, engineers from the Hyundai Motor R&D Centre in Namyang, South Korea, are to take part in the race as technical expert drivers and put the Hyundai i30 N through a series of live tests during the event.

Just like the production models, the racing Hyundai i30 N models will feature a 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the most challenging endurance race in the world. We will use the race as a final test for our Hyundai i30 N development to check how the vehicle is performing under these extreme conditions and where we can still fine tune the car before its market launch,” says Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President and Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development at Hyundai Motor Company. “With the Hyundai i30 N we want to offer a car that feels direct, responsive and predictable and that performs well on the track without compromising every day driving capabilities. Most importantly the i30 N should be fun to drive for everyone.”