Hyundai Draws The N-Line.
Hyundai’s aggressive expansion has been bolstered by the news that the Korean goliath is adding to its i30 N-Line range with the Sonata, Tucson, i20, and Kona to all be given N-Line treatment. The current expected timeline is by the end of 2021 to have the full range in showrooms. This also includes the soon to be facelifted i30 hatch and new i30 sedan.
Spearheading the launch, with i30 already available, is the new Sonata range. A heavily revised exterior brings dramatic lines to the handsome mid-sizer, including a unique frontal treatment which features Hyundai’s new signature Parametric Jewel Pattern grille. There are LED driving lights that run across the top of the assertively styled headlights and follow the leading edge of the bonnet’s shutline. In profile a hard and sharp edge rises over the elegantly sculpted flanks, finishing over a restyled rear diffuser in a bespoke N Line design and double twin-tipped exhaust outlets. Rear lights are low a striking U-shape on each side and joined by a brilliantly lit horizontal strip.
Power is from the Sonata N Line’s Smartstream 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which delivers 213kW and 422Nm of torque between 1,650 and 4,000 rpm. Transmission is the slick eight speed dual-clutch auto. That torque is courtesy of a turbo and a new cylinder head to allow better breathing. Dry mass is 1,636kg, and the body sits on its own unique suspension tune. There are firmer bushings, revised shock absorber valving plus higher spring rates whilst roll is controlled even more thanks to larger sway bars front and rear.
To deal with the unexpected, N Line Sonata gets the full safety rig. It’ll be loaded with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Follow Assist. Factor in Advanced Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and the N Line Sonata is covered.
Naturally there is a significant interior upgrade package as standard. A perforated leather wrapping for the steering wheel starts off, with supportive sports seats stitched in red. Sporty highlights come from the alloy pedals and alloy look trim for the gear selector and steering wheel.
A customisable 10.25 inch widescreen touchscreen is front and centre. The driver sees a 12.3 inch full colour screen. This will provide four views, being driver assistance, parking assistance, navigation, and utility features. For sound and mobile phone support, there is dual Bluetooth streaming, allowing one to pair for music, the other for calls. Tunes will pump from a Bose 12 speaker system, and extra convenience comes from a smartphone charge pad, Hyundai’s Remote Start service, and soft touch exterior door handles.
The company also unveiled early hints on the Tucson N Line. Confirmation of on-sale dates is yet to be received.
The release of the N Line foreshadows a step forward for the conglomerate of Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia. ccOS, the connected car Operating System has been developed in-house at Hyundai, and will be offered across the brands from 2022. The services has been working with computer parts maker NVIDIA, familiar to many for their Shield streaming device and graphics cards.
Standard across all models will be a heightened in-vehicle infotainment delivery, combining audio, video, navigation, connectivity, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based ‘connected car’ services, which will be broken down into four core areas of interest and usebility.
Secure Computing will offer protection for the vehicle with a monitoring of in- and external vehicle networks, and keeping data that is associated with vehicle safety isolated. Seamless Computing will focus on a provision of an uninterrupted service of connected smart devices and infrastructure. Intelligent Computing works with the AI to learn the driver’s style and driving methods. NVIDIA’s GPUs will process data in huge streams from within and outside the vehicle, with a look forward to new I.T. technologies
Hyundai Motor Group has been working with NVIDIA since 2015, and the NVIDIA DRIVE platform already underpins the advanced IVI systems found in the Genesis GV80 and G80, with a new fully digital interface expected to be unveiled in late 2021.
(Pictures are of overseas models and supplied by Hyundai.)
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