Hyundai i30N hatchback wins racing contest
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Hyundai Motor i30N TCR driver Gabriel Tarquini celebrates his victory in the TCR International Series in China, Sunday. Tarquini gave the Hyundai i30N TCR on victory in its debut. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Hyundai Motor’s first circuit-purpose i30N TCR hatchback won a race in China on its debut.
According to Hyundai Motor, Tuesday, its high-performance N division’s first model, the i30N TCR, won in the TCR International Series held at Zhejiang International Circuit in Zhejiang Province.
A number of competing models from global carmakers, including the Audi RS3 LMS, Volkswagen Golf GTi and Honda Civic Type R, also participated in the three-day series.
The qualification took place over two days from Oct. 6 while the final took place Sunday. The Hyundai Motor i30N TCR beat its rivals in the final.
“The TCR International Series meant more than a debut for the Hyundai i30N TCR hatchback,” a Hyundai Motor official said.
“Its debut is also a part of Hyundai Motor’s efforts to expand its presence in the global high-performance car market and its commitment to strengthen Korea’s motorsports environment. With its N division, Hyundai Motor will continuously develop various car models to offer fun to the nation’s motorists.”
The Hyundai i30N TCR was developed from the conventional i30N, a high-performance car powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine. It successfully completed the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in Germany for two consecutive years.
For the TCR International Series, veteran racer Gabriel Tarquini joined the Hyundai team to drive the i30N TCR.
"I certainly did not expect that and this will stay as one of the best memories in my career," the 55-year-old said.
“To win at our debut just proves that excellent work pays off. I realized I had a chance to win and pushed hard, despite some fears after encountering problems with the oil radiator in practice and qualifying.”
Hyundai Motor said it will collect data from the series to improve the existing i30N TCR. It is expected to start selling the i30N TCR at the end of this year.
Hyundai Motor unveiled its first N performance division vehicle, the i30N, at the Areal Bohler event hall in Dusseldorf, Germany, in July.
The Hyundai Motor i30N has a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine that produces a maximum of 275 horsepower with 36.0 kgm.f of torque. The N symbolizes the Hyundai Motor research center in Namyang and the German Nurburgring circuit where the model was tested.
Offering five driving modes, including the N and custom modes, the i30N delivers not only a racing-like driving mode but also daily driving comfort, the official said.