Eighth-Generation Elantra/Avante
From the car that got some flak from California law enforcement for its stock exhaust comes Hyundai’s second go at making another N-developed hot compact. The Elantra, also known as the Avante in Korea and select markets, is entering its eighth generation, and a new N model is already in its road-testing phase.
Heavily camouflaged, we can already guess what the new Elantra N will look like. In fact, we spotted a render that imagines what the performance version of the compact sedan will look like. However, a video has popped up of the new performance compact passing by, with a rather interesting exhaust note.
2.5-liter Turbo Bass
If you recall when the Elantra N was first introduced in the United States, there were some articles and reports going around that owners of the car were being stopped by law enforcement because of the stock exhaust system that the cars came with. For those who don’t know, there is a valve in the exhaust that allows more of the engine noise to come out, and if you put it into sport mode, you can expect the car to pop and burble when downshifting.
The video that we have here is from Healer TV that was then reported on by The Korean Car Blog, which filmed the camouflaged prototype Elantra/Avante N in South Korea, passing by before a speed bump. The video also has some audio. If you listen closely, it does sound like a turbo four-banger, and it does have a deep and bassy tone to it, which is probably the fault of the N-gineers’ focus on performance.
The point is, it’s clearly audible in contrast to the other cars around it, and I’d like to assume that the car’s exhaust valve has been switched to the open position. You can hear a bit of bass coming from the car as it passes by and as it gently accelerates away. There are two large exhaust tips at the back on both sides of the bumper, but there were no pops and bangs that were recorded.
Coming Soon
While the standard Avante sedan is already on sale in Korea, Hyundai has yet to launch or reveal what the new N version of the compact will look like. Based on the video, it’s safe to assume that the Avante N prototype will have more aggressive bumpers and skirts all around, judging from the shape under the covers.
It looks like there will also be a rear spoiler, though it’s not absolutely clear whether it’s a wing or just another ducktail. Either way, the sound clip is rather tame, and Hyundai has been quiet about the performance figures and features of the new Elantra/Avante N for now. No power figures have been released or alluded to by the South Korean automaker just yet.
We’re hoping for at least 300 or more horses from the 2.5-liter turbo. We’re already accustomed to 300 horses from turbocharged four-cylinders, and hopefully the Elantra N graduates from its figure of 268 horsepower coming into its next iteration.
nymammoth/Instagram
