There was no way Hyundai was going to launch the Veloster N hot hatchback and call it day. No, it's time to take it to the racetrack to face off against the likes of the Honda Civic Type R TCR, Volkswagen GTI TCR, and Audi RS3 TCR. Introducing the Veloster N TCR, the latest entry in the 2019 International Motor Sports Association Michelin Pilot Challenge.
It'll be going head-to-head against those aforementioned race cars at some of North America's best racetracks. In conjunction with Bryan Herta Autosport, two Veloster N TCRs will race this season, piloted by Michael Lewis and Mark Williams, and Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker (the latter two are only 20- and 19-years-old, respectively).
Designed by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing, the Veloster N TCR is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 350 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to the front wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters. Other required features for racing include competition seats, six-point seat belts, steel roll cage, configurable driver's display, and lots of added aero such as the big rear wing. All body panels are made from steel and composite materials. Total weight, including the driver, comes to just over 2,800 pounds.
"The Veloster is a perfect fit for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge as we expand our motorsports efforts," said Dean Evans, vice president of Marketing for Hyundai Motor America. "The all-new 2019 Veloster and Veloster N are playful, fun-to-drive cars, and thanks to Bryan and his team we're excited to introduce them to racing fans across North America. In 2018, we won a manufacturer's championship, so it is great to get back to racing with our proven veterans, a pair of great young drivers, and this brand-new car."
Built in Germany alongside the overseas-only i30 N TCR, both cars are homologated for competition in sanctioned TCR series events. Customer Veloster N TCRs will be sold in markets where the Veloster N road car is sold. Pricing will begin at around $155,000 per car. We'll be seeing the new Hyundai Veloster N TCR on January 25 at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida for the first 2019 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge racing event of the season, which runs through next October.